Iverson apologizes for missing practice

Nov 28, 2008 - 10:20 PM AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- The day after skipping practice, Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson was repentant.

Iverson apologized Friday for not attending Thursday's workout that according to Pistons coach Mike Curry, will result in a "heavy fine."

"First of all, I have no excuses," Iverson said following Friday's shootaround. "I apologize to my teammates, first and foremost, the coaching staff, the organization and definitely our fans.

"It's something that shouldn't have happened and it won't happen again."

Curry also said that Iverson would be held out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"I'm surprised when guys are late; I'm surprised when they don't show," Curry told the Detroit Free-Press. "It's a pretty hefty fine to be late, or to miss. And once again, it's accountability for yourself and your teammates."

Curry did not disclose whether Iverson would play against Milwaukee.

A four-time scoring champion and eight-time All-Star, Iverson made headlines in May 2002 as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, when he skipped practice while the team was in the playoffs.

In response to criticism from then-Sixers coach Larry Brown, Iverson went on a highly-publicized rant during a news conference in which he uttered the now infamous phrase, "We're talking about practice."

The 33-year-old Iverson was one of several Pistons players who complained when Curry, the team's first-year coach, scheduled the morning practice following Detroit's 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.

But Iverson was the only player to miss the 60-minute conditioning session.

"It was a personal matter, but I just handled it the wrong way," Iverson said Friday. "I didn't call to let them know what was going on."

Curry indicated that Rodney Stuckey will replace Iverson in the starting lineup Friday.