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SPORTS Tuesday 18 July 2017

Houston Rockets owner Leslie

Alexander is selling the team

By KRISTIE RIEKEN Clyde Drexler. In 24 seasons
AP Sports Writer under Alexander, the Rock-
HOUSTON (AP) — The Hous- ets have won 56.9 percent
ton Rockets are going up of their games, fifth-highest
for sale. in the league.
Rockets CEO Tad Brown Brown said the 74-year-old
made the announcement Alexander had been ap-
Monday, hours after owner proached over the years
Leslie Alexander made the by potential buyers, but
decision. never considered it until
“It’s been my great joy and very recently.
honor to own the Houston “I think it’s been something
Rockets for the past 24 he’s been thinking about a
years,” Alexander said in a little bit,” Brown said. “It can
statement. “I’ve had the in- wear on you after so many Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, right, answers a question as Chris Paul, left, reacts dur-
ing a news conference to introduce Paul as the newest member of the Houston Rockets, Friday,
credible opportunity to wit- decades and he’s tired. July 14, 2017, in Houston.
ness true greatness through There are passions in his
the players and coaches life now that are becom-
who have won champi- ing more and more clear. Silver raved about Alexan- Brown will be working with latitude of time based on
onships for the city, been His family, certainly, and his der. the league office while our resources and his re-
named to All-Star and All- philanthropic efforts, what “Leslie Alexander is a true the Rockets look for a new sources and everything
NBA teams, enshrined in he’ll be able to do with his competitor who always owner and there were no associated with the team
the Basketball Hall of Fame, additional time and his re- searched for the right move plans to hire an outside right now.”
and done so much for our sources on a global scale to make his teams better,” firm to help. There is no Brown would not say how
franchise and our fans.” is something that he’s very Silver said in a statement. set timetable for the sale, much they expect to get
Alexander took over as much looking forward to.” “Well-respected around but Brown said they want in the sale. Forbes named
owner on July 30, 1993, Brown emphasized that Al- the league, he has been to find the right buyer and Houston the eighth-most
and the Rockets went on exander is healthy and his an active and influential won’t rush things. valuable franchise, worth
to win back-to-back titles health was not an issue in owner whose vision helped “We’re going to make sure an estimated $1.65 billion,
in 1994-95 behind the likes this decision. to grow the game globally, that it is the right buyer,” in its annual valuation of
of Hakeem Olajuwon and NBA Commissioner Adam especially in China.” Brown said. “Leslie has the NBA teams in February.q
Coach AI: Iverson doesn’t play in Philly Big3 homecoming

By ROB MAADDI this relationship we have. I The Hall of Famer hasn’t
AP Sports Writer love you for supporting me played much so far. He
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Al- throughout my career and had six points on 3-for-13
len Iverson walked onto a still today you’re still sup- shooting in the first three
familiar court to a rousing porting me.” games before sitting out
ovation and then took an After he walked on the this one.
unfamiliar spot on the side- floor, Iverson cupped his Julius Erving, coach of the
line. ear the way he used to Tri-State team, embraced
The Answer was Coach AI during his days leading the Iverson and whispered in
in his Big3 homecoming. Philadelphia 76ers and im- his ear before addressing
Iverson said a few hours plored the crowd to cheer the crowd first.
before his team played even louder. “Big3 is a new concept
against Dr. J’s squad that They made it sound like but it’s an old story,” Erv-
his doctor advised him not 2001 at the Wells Fargo ing said. “It’s about playing
to play Sunday night. Center. ball the way we all learned
So, he assumed his role as Iverson hugged everyone how to play ball out in the
coach of 3’s Company in in sight, smiled, waved, playground, like the play-
Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 league. blew kisses and went to grounds all around Phila-
That didn’t stop fans from work as a coach. delphia.”
chanting: “We want AI!” He stood in front of the Erving’s team, led by Jer-
“I’m glad I had a chance to bench, arms folded, inter- 3’s Company coach Allen Iverson yells to his team during a maine O’Neal and Bonzi
come back home,” Iverson acted with officials and did game against Tri State during in the BIG3 Basketball League in Wells, won the game. Iver-
told the crowd after intro- his best Larry Brown impres- Philadelphia, Sunday, July 16, 2017. son didn’t speak to report-
ductions. “Ain’t nothing like sion. Associated Press ers afterward.q