Sooner or later, Iverson will be history in Philly.(basketball player Allen Iverson)

Byline: David Aldridge

NEW YORK _ It is time to batten down whatever hatches you possess, or can borrow.

Back up your truck.

Allen Iverson will not be a 76er next season. At the least, he will not finish next season in the home white.

Write it in ink.

Now, I would never tell anyone else to bet the farm on anything, but if you have a spare farm _ or a parcel of land that is otherwise undeveloped _ put it on the table.

This will get done. Sooner or later, it will get done.

There has been too much smoke in the last two weeks for these tired old eyes not to search for the extinguishers. Too many near-deals for the obvious not to be, well, obvious.

Those who have hoped for, wished for, dreamed for this day, pay heed: Your moment is …