Iverson Says He's A Long-Shot for Season Opener

 

Iverson Says He's A Long-Shot for Season Opener

   

Many NBA fans are anxious to see Allen Iverson to bring his revenge on the Detroit Pistons in the Grizzlies' season opener. Well, it turns out we are going to maybe have to wait on the ten-time All-Star, who may miss the game against Detroit due to his hamstring injury that happened during a scrimmage with Memphis in Birmingham, Alabama. Iverson says there'a strong chance of him missing the season-opener because he thinks he's still fully not healed yet. "They're saying it's a possibility, but it's also a long shot," Iverson told the Associated Press. "You know that's one of the ones I definitely want to play." Of course, after Iverson  announced about a month ago saying playing with Detroit was the worst year of his career. Though Iverson hasn't been doing much lately, he has been participating more in the workouts so far this week. A.I. does say he feels great but he wants to listen to what other people are saying as he never has had this injury in his career. "I guess for one time in my life when it comes to my body, I'll listen to somebody else," Iverson said. "Usually I go off of my instincts. This time, I'll make sure I listen to the professionals." The 34-year-old point guard also feels that his hamstring will pop like it did back in the scrimmage. He said when it popped, it felt tight. "I honestly told my wife that my hamstring has never been this tight before," Iverson said. "I was going through practices and it would never loosen up. ... I was saying that it feels like it would pop any minute. And sure enough, I was driving and I tried to change direction. As soon as I planted down to cut the other way I couldn't hear it, but I could feel it, pop. And I knew something was wrong." Iverson announced that he hasn't learned much of Memphis's plays, the system, and the tendencies of his teammates. After signing a one-year $3.5M contract back in September, he still wants to play in starting lineup with Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo. "I'm usually getting treatment during practice time and they're out there running plays. But once I get back into practice and just watching the plays for a couple days, I'll pick it up like that," Iverson said. "But as far as styles and everything, I just know how to adjust. "I think my job with this team is making guys better, putting pressure on defenses. Causing a lot of ruckus as far as guys having to pay a lot of attention to me and getting other guys easy looks." This is Iverson's third team in about the last two-three years after playing with the Nuggets and the Pistons. Most of his time has been with the Sixers and the MVP has over 23,000 career points. I really see a great year with Iverson and the Grizzlies. "I feel 100 percent, but they've been telling me with this injury, that's the way it is," Iverson said. "You feel well and then you go out there and try to take it fifth gear and it can tear again. That's my whole dilemma right now, but I feel good."