Iverson says Sixers will win title with James

Allen Iverson told fans in Langhorne that the 76ers will win the NBA Finals if LeBron James joins the team. He said a championship parade would follow. "I know for a fact it's going to happen. It's gonna end with a parade. I promise you that," Iverson said.

Iverson made the prediction at Dynasty Sports inside Oxford Valley Mall, where he appeared with current Sixers All-Star Tyrese Maxey. More than 1,000 fans packed the concourse. Many waited in line for hours to get photos and autographs from both players.

Iverson led Philadelphia to the NBA Finals in 2001. The team lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. The Sixers have not returned to the Finals since.

When asked whether he truly believed Philadelphia could reach the Finals with James, Iverson repeated his answer. "Do I think? Do I think? I know. I know for a fact it's going to happen," he said. He added that he had not discussed the prediction with James. "I don't need to tell him that. He knows that," Iverson said.

The gathering drew fans from out of state. Stephanie Zanders flew from Orlando, Florida, to bring her mother, Mary Jane Daday, to meet Maxey for her birthday. Daday said she did not know the trip was planned. "I flew all the way here from Orlando, Florida, to surprise her. To meet her favorite player Maxey, that's a great present," Zanders said.

Lois Mackey marked her 90th birthday at the event with Maxey. "It was my lifetime bucket list. I love him," Mackey said. Asked what she likes most about the guard, she said: "He always smiles." Iverson said he spent extra time with the crowd. "I inspire them and they inspire me," he said.