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<p>PHILADELPHIA &#8212; Allen Iverson walked onto a familiar court to a rousing ovation and then took an unfamiliar spot on the sideline.</p><p>The Answer was Coach AI in his Big3 homecoming.</p><p>Iverson said a few hours before his team played against Dr. J&#8217;s squad that his doctor advised him not to play Sunday night for unspecified reasons.</p><p>So, he assumed his role as coach of 3&#8217;s Company in Ice Cube&#8217;s 3-on-3 league. That didn&#8217;t stop fans from chanting: &#8220;We want AI!&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad I had a chance to come back home,&#8221; Iverson told the crowd after introductions. &#8220;Ain&#8217;t nothing like this relationship we have. I love you for supporting me throughout my career and still today you&#8217;re still supporting me.&#8221;</p><p>After he walked on the floor, Iverson cupped his ear the way he used to during his days leading the Philadelphia 76ers and implored the crowd to cheer even louder.</p><p>They made it sound like 2001 at the Wells Fargo Center.</p><p>Iverson hugged everyone in sight, smiled, waved, blew kisses and went to work as a coach. He stood in front of the bench, arms folded, interacted with officials and did his best Larry Brown impression.</p><p>The Hall of Famer hasn&#8217;t played much so far. He had six points on 3-for-13 shooting in the first three games before sitting out this one.</p><p>Julius Erving, coach of the Tri-State team, embraced Iverson and whispered in his ear before addressing the crowd first.</p><p>&#8220;Big3 is a new concept but it&#8217;s an old story,&#8221; Erving said. &#8220;It&#8217;s about playing ball the way we all learned how to play ball out in the playground, like the playgrounds all around Philadelphia.&#8221;</p><p>Erving&#8217;s team, led by Jermaine O&#8217;Neal and Bonzi Wells, won the game. Iverson didn&#8217;t speak to reporters afterward.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">3&#8217;s Company coach Allen Iverson yells to his team during a game against Tri State during in the BIG3 Basketball League in Philadelphia, Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Iverson-Homecoming.jpg</photo0><caption0>3&#8217;s Company coach Allen Iverson yells to his team during a game against Tri State during in the BIG3 Basketball League in Philadelphia, Sunday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Rich Schultz | AP photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Rob Maaddi</p><p>AP Sports Writer</p></bylineMeta></div>

Iverson sits out Philly homecoming