Phil Jasner of the Daily News reports that Allen Iverson may have made the correct decision. He opted against surgery on his broken left hand and instead decided to place it in a cast and let it heal naturally. Initial reports were that surgery could allow him to play 1 to 2 weeks earlier than a cast. What wasn't reported at that time was that the surgery would have to wait until the swelling goes down on his hand.

"With that, the difference probably becomes a little less distinct, a little more blurred," Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the 76ers' orthopedic specialist said before last night's 88-80 loss to the New Jersey Nets.

McPhilemy said in a meeting with reporters that Iverson, the Sixers' star guard, fractured the second metacarpal bone in his left hand in the first quarter of Friday's victory in Boston. A cast was not applied until Tuesday, so the swelling could recede.

Had Iverson opted for surgery, which would have included insertion of a plate and screws, the operation still could be several days away, because doctors would have had to wait for additional reduction of swelling. Plus, there would have been the risk of infection that accompanies any surgical procedure.

The projection that Iverson likely will miss four to six weeks remains in place, although McPhilemy also said, "We don't control his body's healing process." McPhilemy said Iverson would need about three months for the injury to heal completely.

Iverson's cast will be removed weekly for evaluation; the cast eventually will be replaced by a splint, allowing for more rehabilitation work.