Sixers, Iverson happy together

PHILADELPHIA — It's not that Allen Iverson expected the 76ers to guarantee his contract for the rest of the season, which they had to do by today. He said he just never thought about it.

The Sixers could have released him by today and not owed him any money for the rest of the season. Iverson signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Sixers for the veterans minimum of $1.3 million Dec. 2.

He began the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, but left the team after three games and briefly announced his retirement.

"I hadn't been having fun for a long time," Iverson said. "I'm back to feeling good about basketball and coming in and going to work, and feeling good about the people around me, and my situation."

Iverson had played in nine games with the Sixers before Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards. He has averaged 15.7 points and 4.7 assists in 33.2 minutes per game.

Those numbers are well off his career numbers of 26.9 points per game in 41.3 minutes per game.

Iverson is struggling with an arthritic knee, which forced him to miss four games recently.

"The only frustrating part of the whole thing was getting into playing shape and dealing with my knee," Iverson said. "That's been the only rough part. As far as the fans and city embracing me like they did from Day 1, that's been great. That was something that I really wanted to happen. It made me feel that much more comfortable."

Iverson said he wants to help the team reach its potential.

"This is something I want to be a part of at this point in my career," Iverson said.

Arenas and guns

Sixers coach Eddie Jordan has known embattled Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas for the previous four-plus seasons when Jordan was the team's coach.

Arenas has gotten himself into trouble lately after bringing unloaded guns into the Wizards locker room. He denied reports that he and teammate Javaris Crittenton drew guns on each other, saying rather that he was joking around when he brandished a gun in the locker room.

When asked about Arenas' personality, Jordan replied: "The impression I have of him is that he's a heck of a 3-point shooter. He drives to the basket. He's an assassin on the floor. He's a real good player. That's what we have to prepare for. That's all I'm concerned about with Gilbert Arenas."

Later, Jordan said he shouldn't have used the word "assassin" to describe Arenas.