Iverson close to $70.9 million contract with Sixers

PHILADELPHIA - Charles Barkley once called him Allen ''Me, Myself and Iverson.'' His sneakers are called the Question, the Answer and the Answer II.

The Answer III comes in the form of a $70.9 million, six-year contract extension that Iverson was close to signing yesterday with the Philadelphia 76ers.

If not for the lockout, Iverson's deal might have surpassed the mega-contracts signed by players like Kevin Garnett, Shawn Kemp and Antonio McDyess. Instead, the negotiations were reduced to a formality.

Once the contract is signed, Iverson will get the maximum for a player entering his third season in the league, a team source who asked not to be identified told The Associated Press.