NBA: 76ers retire Iverson's No. 3 shirt

New York, March 2 (IANS) NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers retired the No.3 of Allen Iverson at halftime of the game, in which the 76ers lost to the Washington Wizards 103-122.

Iverson is the the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player, four-time scoring champion and 11-time All Star, reports Xinhua.

Iverson Saturday hugged a handful of former 76ers greats including Julius Erving and Moses Malone. The sellout crowd of 20,856 at the Wells Fargo Center chanted “MVP!”

After a video tribute from former coach Larry Brown, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said, “I’m a huge fan of yours. You define the city of Philadelphia more than any other athlete who ever played here.”

Sixers owner Josh Harris declared, “No. 3 will not be worn again on this court in this house. Ever.”

He also bought Iverson a fishing boat adorned with his nickname, “The Answer.”

At six feet and 165 pounds, Iverson is considered the best pound-for-pound player in NBA history.

His career average of 26.7 points ranks seventh all-time and he is 12th with 1,983 steals.