A Look at Iverson’s Thinning Job Prospects

If this report is to be believed, The Answer is running out of employment options: “Don’t expect Allen Iverson to wear a Memphis Grizzlies uniform next season. His chances of suiting up for the Los Angeles Clippers don’t look too good, either. Two sources with knowledge of the Grizzlies’ plans said Thursday that any negotiations between the team and Iverson were ‘dead.’ Memphis offered Iverson a one-year, $5 million contract with the stipulation that he would likely need to come off the bench. The Grizzlies, however, have not spoken to Iverson or his management team since early July, and neither side appears to have any interest in restarting talks…One agent who had spoken to Clippers officials in recent days said the team was distancing itself from Iverson after acquiring point guard Sebastian Telfair from the Minnesota Timberwolves and is possibly weighing an offer to free-agent guard Ramon Sessions– though one NBA source cautioned there was still ’some life’ in talks between the two sides.”

Allen Iverson's Mug Shot in the less thrilling times!!

What About Allen Iverson in New York?

Hey, why the hell not, right?: “Ramon Sessions could receive a contract offer from the Knicks as early as Friday, assuming they don’t have a change of heart and shift their point-guard focus to Allen Iverson. Mike D’Antoni is said to favor Sessions, a restricted free agent who enjoyed a breakout season for Milwaukee last year. However, Iverson could be a cheaper alternative because the perennial All-Star is willing to accept a one-year contract that would cost the Knicks their $5.85 million mid-level exception. Sessions, 23, is hoping to receive a multi-year contract starting with the mid-level exception. The Bucks would have seven days to match the offer. According to a team source, Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, met two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of Iverson joining the Knicks.”

Why is A.I. Not in N.Y.?

A final plea to keep Allen Iverson out of Memphis.

Within a matter of hours, Allen Iverson may become the newest member of the Memphis Grizzlies. After franchise owner Michael Heisley, head coach Lionel Hollins and general manager Chris Wallace all met with A.I. for two hours on Monday, it seems likely that the two sides will reach a one-year deal for the upcoming ‘09-10 season.
Iverson tweeted earlier Wednesday, “God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career.” But while basketball fans everywhere are preparing for the four-time NBA scoring champion to depart from the national spotlight, I’m still left wondering – why not let A.I. get the attention he deserves? Hey New York! Don’t let Iverson be buried in the ground when he could flourish in The Garden.

Hey Donnie Walsh, pick up the phone!

Earlier this off-season, the New York Knicks made it clear they were interested in two free agents – Ramon Session and Allen Iverson. Sessions was a stud last year, scoring more than 12 points and dishing nearly 6 assists per game. And he’s just 22 years old. By contrast, the 34-year-old Iverson had the worst season of his career. In an injury-plagued and unhappy year, the point guard played in only 54 games, averaged a career-low 17.4 ppg, and served as a bench player for a good portion of the season.
As the summer months breezed by, the Minnesota Timberwolves did what Donnie Walsh’s Knicks were oddly reluctant to do: The T-Wolves not only pulled the trigger on Sessions, they managed to sign the promising guard for only $16 million over a four-year term. With option No. 2 still on the table, at least temporarily, it’s time for Donnie Walsh to pick up the phone, talk with Iverson, and give New York something it hasn’t had in a decade – relevancy.

“We’re talking about practice”

Over the last 13 years, Allen Iverson has proven to be a prolific scorer at his position (his 27.1 career ppg ranks fifth all-time). In 71 playoff games, the guard averaged 29.7 points, 6 assists and 3.8 rebounds. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1996, crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2000, played in 10 All Star games and earned All-Star game MVP honors twice.
But his ego at times has managed to overshadow these accomplishments. He upset the likes of NBA Commissioner David Stern, committing infractions ranging from publishing derogatory rap lyrics to disrespecting the NBA dress code. He has been fined thousands of dollars for criticizing NBA officials after games. Upon entering the League, he was even arrested in 1997 for carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. He has been ruled a ‘head case’ or a distraction by coaches, players, fans and pundits. There is no way a player with that type of resume and personality belongs in Memphis. The feisty 6-footer has played with the same ‘go big or go home’ mentality his entire career. He deserves nothing less than to return one last time to the big stage.
The reality is Iverson hasn’t made much noise, good or bad, in the NBA or off the court over the last two seasons. Following the November trade in 2008, Chauncey Billups took Denver by storm and became the talk of the town while Iverson seemingly lost his identity in Detroit… literally. A.I., who had worn No. 3 on his back for the entirety of his NBA career, was forced to switch to No. 1 for the Pistons. Weeks later, he was demoted to the bench and shut down for the year with an alleged back-injury.
It is highly unlikely that one of the NBA’s greatest, who still made $21 million last season, will actually want to continue serving as a bench player in Memphis for what could be his final season. He might bring a few thousand more Grizzlies or old Sixers fans to the FedEx Forum, but rest assured they would be the only ones to see him in action. Simply put, the Griz do not garner national attention or TV ratings, with or without him. Iverson would also be competing for playing time with young guards O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley and Marcus Williams, as well as veteran Marco Jaric. Surrounded by such a cast, A.I. may only play 20-25 minutes per game in that system. Finally, Mayo, along with Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph, demand the ball throughout the game. We all know Iverson is not the kind of player who likes (or needs) to share.

New York, New York

In New York, A.I. could be signed as a mid-level exception and instantly earn a starting point guard role over Chris Duhon or Nate Robinson. The exception is ideal for New York for both the long and short term. The mid-level exception would cost NY $5.85 million for one year, allowing the franchise to continue its quest to sign one of the young All-Star free agents in 2010 (namely LeBron James) and subsequently turn the franchise around.
With 2009 still a rebuilding year for the Knicks, Iverson would help New York make some noise this upcoming season and sell-out Madison Square Garden once again. With Jamal Crawford gone, nobody on the Knicks “needs” the ball. At the helm once again, Iverson could easily lead the Knicks in scoring and average at least 20 points, 6 assists per game. And hey, even if injury or age inhibits him from playing a full 82-game season, Iverson’s jersey sales will at least help cover the salaries of Larry Hughes and Eddie Curry.

Allen Iverson Captivates Milan

The Answer’s not yet ready for the rocking chair.

If you think Allen Iverson was ready for the rocking chair (as he said during his press conference in Memphis), well, think again. “Revenge? I won’t say that, it’s not so much about revenge. It’s more about coming back to a comfortable basketball environment, and being able to play at the level I’m accustomed to play at. I can finally go out again and playing basketball the way Allen Iverson plays. That’s it. I’m not gonna satisfy everybody, so I will concentrate only on my teammates, my coaching staff and my new fans.”

MILANO – Italy. Poland. Spain. Fresh off his new NBA contract, Allen Iverson is going global.

His Reebok tour started from Milan, where the new Grizzlie had his first taste of Europe, a place some thought he was destined to play. Not just to sightsee, but to play ball.
“Not yet, but I gave it a thought,” said Iverson, when asked about how closely he considered Europe. “It would had been a whole new experience, and I know I’m very popular all over Europe. My wife actually liked the idea, and I was intrigued by the possibility to face a new challenge, to visit new countries and play in front of different fans.”
But then God chose Memphis, and Europe was put on hold.
“In Memphis, I really believe we can win. If I look at all the young talent we have, I think we can be a good team. I really mean it. If not, He would not be telling me to keep playing, keep lacing up my shoes.”
His shoes, the Answer XIII, were displayed in Palalido, the fabled arena where Bill Bradley once played for Olimpia Milano in the 60s. The arena was packed with more than 1,000 screaming fans.
“Are these shoes good enough for 30 points a night?” they asked him. “I think they’re good enough for even more…”
Detroit is already in his rear-view mirror, and memories are not great. “I wanna thank the organization, who gave me the opportunity to play there, but since day one things didn’t work out the way I wanted to. Looking back now, I should have not signed for the Pistons. I thought they were gonna use me in a certain way, allowing me to play my style, but I could not.”
As a result, last season was Iverson’s worst, as everybody was ready to point out.
“It’s funny because I was an All-Star last year, and I scored 17.5 a night. 17.5? Most people would die to get these numbers, while to me, that was a bad year. The truth is that there’s a lot of people out there who still enjoy taking shots at me, and this past summer was a good opportunity to take one!” he says.
It’s nothing new, it’s the story of his whole life. “There was some perception about me since I was 17 years old, first in high school, and then in college. People never let this perception go. They didn’t like my tattoos, they didn’t like my hairstyles; people liked the clean cut, yes-sir, no-sir type of dude and I was not that. I spoke my mind whenever I felt was right, and so they criticized me, they thought I was a hot head.”
Back then, Michael Jordan was the hero. Maybe, a clash was inevitable. It happened on March 12, 1997, toward the end of Allen’s rookie campaign. The day A.I. crossed MJ over, a memory that still lives on even across the ocean in Italy. That’s why to end his appearance in Milan, they asked Iverson to do it again: one-on-one, top of the key (with his brother to play Jordan’s role).
“When I still was a kid, I promised that to all my boys from my ‘hood. When I get to the NBA, first time I will face Michael I’m gonna take him one-on-one.”
He did it in 1997. And he did it one more time for his fans in Milan. One more crossover. And at least one more year. Allen Iverson is definitely not yet ready for the rocking chair.

Iverson skips Clippers game

Allen Iverson #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies staands on the court in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 114-98. Getty Images Getty Images

Iverson leaves Grizzlies Den

Nine-time all-star returns home to Atlanta to deal with personal issues

LOS ANGELES -- Disgruntled Memphis guard Allen Iverson returned to his home in Atlanta after receiving permission to leave the team to attend to personal business.
Team owner Michael Heisley gave the four-time NBA scoring leader permission to skip the Grizzlies' game Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers following a 114-98 loss to the Lakers the night before.

Iverson

 

According to a team spokesman, Iverson participated in a walkthrough at the team's hotel in the morning and then hopped a flight in the afternoon after he and personal manager Gary Moore met with Heisley.

Iverson has played in three games since returning from a hamstring injury, averaging 12.3 points, 3.7 assists and 22.3 minutes. Coach Lionel Hollins spoke to him briefly before he left, but would not elaborate on the conversation.

"It's a personal issue that they asked for permission to go attend to," Hollins said. "It was granted, and it's indefinite. I have no other information."
Iverson played 21 minutes against the Lakers, making two of five shots and finishing with eight points and three assists. In the postgame dressing room, the 10-time All-Star reiterated his displeasure about coming off the bench for the first time in his 14-year career.

TrueHoop: A.I. Out?

Allen Iverson isn't thrilled about coming off the bench for the Grizzlies. But does that mean his time in Memphis is over?

 

"It's something that I never did in my life, so obviously it's a big adjustment," he said. "I'm so tired of discussing that, talking about that, every single day. It's just not something that I want to discuss. That's something you've got to ask the coach. He makes all the decisions around here. Obviously, they signed me for a reason. They've been watching me play this game for 13 years, and they know what I do on the basketball court." Iverson also acknowledged that he had become a distraction.

"When I hear anything about the Memphis Grizzlies, I don't hear you guys talk about anything other than the situation with me coming off the bench," he said Friday. "I mean, there's got to be something else with this team to talk about besides that. But I guess that sells a lot better than anything else when it comes to this team."
The worst part of his situation, Iverson said, was that he and Hollins have not discussed the situation in private.
"That's probably why it's at this point right now," Iverson said. "It's probably going to always be hard for me and him to see eye-to-eye, because we've never even talked to each other. Obviously that's what you do if you're trying to accomplish the same goal."
When asked before Saturday's game to respond, Hollins bluntly: "If Allen wants to talk to me, my door is open. I talk to him during the game before the game and after the game.
"I understand star power, and that's to be expected," Hollins added. "I wouldn't mind even talking about Allen's star power if it was about the game and his performance during the game, versus what Allen has said and what he will or won't do."
The Grizzlies used Marcus Williams as the backup point guard against the Clippers.
"It's the way we'd been going since training camp, until the last three games," Hollins said.
Asked if he had any timetable as to when Iverson might start for the Grizzlies, Hollins said: "I have no comment about that."

Iverson leaves the Grizzlies

Stunning move for frustrated NBA star

A frustrated Allen Iverson has left the Memphis Grizzlies and is not expected to return anytime soon, if at all, a source close to the situation told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday.

The Grizzlies granted Iverson a leave of absence to allow him to return to his off-season home in Atlanta. The source said Iverson wants to clear his head and is extremely unhappy about the lack of communication with Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins over his playing time and role with the team.

Grizzlies officials said Iverson was allowed to leave the team so he could attend to a personal matter. The decision came after he met with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley Saturday morning in Los Angeles.

“I’m not going to get into the personal reason but it has nothing to do with the other stuff,” Heisley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal, which first reported Iverson’s departure on Saturday. “I’m the guy who said he could go. It’s a real family issue that I don’t think should be reported.”