NBA Iverson has new pact, attitude, outlook this season

Philadelphia star is enjoying a fresh start under coach Randy Ayers.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson has a new contract, a new attitude and a new outlook now that he's free of the contentious relationship with former coach Larry Brown.
"It was always myself and Coach Brown clashing heads," Iverson said. "Now, for one time in my career, I don't have to deal with that Coach Brown-Allen Iverson thing. It's kind of like a new start for me. It takes away the circus part of everything."
Forget a circus. Iverson's summer was more like a night at the library.
Contract extension
Iverson signed a contract extension last week that will keep him with the Sixers through the 2008-09 season, his wife gave birth to the couple's third child, and the off-court issues that have plagued him were absent.
"This has been the most exciting [time] for me since my first year," he said.
The excitement comes largely from the off-season moves -- the Sixers re-signed Kenny Thomas and Derrick Coleman, signed Amal McCaskill and traded for Glenn Robinson and Marc Jackson.
Iverson said Tuesday at the team's media day that he believes he's surrounded by the best talent of his career and this team could be better than the one that reached the NBA Finals in 2001.
Eyes more leadership
While Iverson is known mostly for his scoring -- he's a three-time NBA scoring champion and former league MVP -- he's willing to assume more of a leadership role this season. He wants to set an example for the younger players and assist in the transition to new coach Randy Ayers.
"All that starts with me," Iverson said. "It would be easy for me to say something to somebody if I'm doing it. It's going to start with me, most definitely."
Iverson promised to be more of a team player, which, at times, he wasn't with Brown. Brown harped on Iverson for taking too many shots and sometimes playing selfishly, and Iverson was nearly traded to Detroit.
It was a successful pairing, though.
Brown led the Sixers to the playoffs five straight seasons, but quit after Philadelphia lost its second-round playoff series to Detroit in six games. He then took the Pistons' job when Rick Carlisle was fired.
Iverson has a stronger bond with Ayers, who was a Sixers assistant since 1998.
Ayers said he had an open relationship with Iverson and wasn't anticipating problems. Then again, no one does at the start of any new association.
"I think your best players have to allow you to coach, and I think he will," Ayers said. "I think he's at the point in his career where he's ready to assume the leadership role."
Ayers also wants Iverson to play some point guard.
"If you tell me to play center, I'll look at you like you're crazy, but I'll do it," Iverson said.
Iverson said he expected some negative coverage but would shut out the distractions and focus only on winning games, yet another step in his maturation process.