"(Allen)Iverson suffered a strained left shoulder during the 76ers' practice at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine yesterday. His status was listed as day-to-day, meaning that he could miss tonight's game against Sacramento, the opener of a three-game trip."

An article by Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom reverberated through the Sixers' locker room and organization yesterday. It stung, and it hurt. Allen Iverson, a target, as usual, chose not to make himself available to reporters. Billy King, the president/general manager, took the high road. Chairman Ed Snider ultimately responded from the bottom line.

76ers swingman Monty Williams is contemplating retirement due to a sore left knee.

"[Williams'] knee is very bad and hasn't responded as he had hoped,'' said Joe Glass, Williams' agent. "Doctors, so far, have recommended that he stop playing. That's just the way it is right now. He was hoping to be able to get back on the court. He's not a very happy camper right now; he wants to play. But it's a career that could end earlier than he had thought.''

Williams will join Todd Todd MacCulloch and likely Greg Buckner on the injured to start the season.

Still bothered by pain in his left knee one year after surgery, 76ers forward Monty Williams may have played in his last NBA game.

Team president and general manager Billy King confirmed yesterday that Williams is thinking about retirement.

Williams, 32, a nine-year NBA veteran, was excused from Thursday night's final preseason game against New Jersey at the Wachovia Center. He did not show up yesterday during practice at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Philadelphia 76ers have exercised Samuel Dalembert's   fourth-year option.

Allen Iverson will miss tonight's preseason game in Utah and tomorrow's in Dallas due to some "personal business".

"The Sixers reduced their roster to 16, one above the regular-season limit (12 active, three on the injured list) by waiving former Temple big man Lamont Barnes."

"Billy King, the 76ers' president and general manager, said yesterday that guard Jeff Myers and center Robb Dryden have been waived to bring the roster to 17 players."

But the Sixers, like most everyone else, expect Mutombo to sign with the New York Knicks once he clears waivers today. The Knicks are said to have about $4.4 million of their $4.9 million salary exception available.

"We're not in game shape, especially with our starters," Ayers said after putting the Sixers through a two-hour practice at Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke University campus. "A lot of coaches will tell you, when you stop practice a lot in the preseason, you lose some conditioning. We've seen that in the last week and a half. We've got to get in shape."