Philadelphia ? “Practice, man! We’re talking about “practice!”

Remember that? That was May 7, the day Allen Iverson held forth inside the First Union Center, lamenting his diminishing status as a franchise player and his presence on the trading block, seeking sympathy and support from a city just days removed from watching his beloved 76ers get thrashed by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The impetus of that news conference/diatribe was Iverson’s need to defend himself against what he believed to be negative spin by the Sixers, and the media and public that bought into it.

Well, where is Iverson now?

A week has passed since Charles Jones and another man, who share a one-bedroom apartment with Iverson’s cousin Shaun Bowman, claimed that Iverson in possession of a gun and spewing threats barreled into their abode at 2 a.m. last Wednesday looking for his wife, Tawanna.

Since then, allegations about everything from illegal gun possession to domestic abuse have been part of the public speculation. There have also been rumors of attempts by the police to force them to recant their statements, and of nudges from the mayor’s office to quiet matters.

Meanwhile, everyone, including the police, is still looking to hear from Iverson. And his wife.

The police finally recommended on Tuesday that Iverson be charged with aggravated assault, a felony, and making terroristic threats while armed.

Again … where’s the public statement? Why isn’t Iverson saying, “I did not have a gun … I threatened no one”? Where are his attorneys, Lawrence H. Woodward Jr. and Thomas Shuttlesworth, to sit by his side?

He has been conspicuously silent. As of Tuesday, matters had completely run amok.

There is noise that this whole incident started when Iverson threw his wife out of their home, and that it was not the first time he’s done so. Rumors have swirled that Iverson was drinking, he was furious and carrying a gun, and threatening to hurt someone.

Suddenly, the particulars of Iverson’s marriage are on the verge of becoming public knowledge. So is the life of his cousin, Bowman, who might prefer that it be left private. Other relatives could be next.

No one with a heart wants to spend time writing such depressing things. But there is no other choice.

Who’s to say there isn’t an ulterior motive here involving monetary compensation? Who’s to say the spark of this whole situation isn’t some kind of family squabble? Who’s to say the accusers don’t have it out for Iverson? That, being friends of Iverson’s cousin, they believed Bowman had been slighted by the Sixers’ All-Star for far too long?

None of us knows. Since the matter has escalated, Iverson needs to tell us.

For once Iverson needs to disregard misguided loyalty in favor of common sense; warped principles must be replaced by the plain-and-simple truth.

And if the truth hurts, live with it instead of attempting to curb public and judicial wrath.

Because in case he hasn’t noticed, it isn’t just about his life anymore. It’s about the lives of his loved ones.

Loved ones being tainted by their association with Iverson. Not the other way around.