A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well

A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well

Posted on: November 7, 2009 9:37 pm

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Allen Iverson has left the Memphis Grizzlies amid conflicting reports about whether it is for personal reasons or unhappiness with his role.

The accelerated news cycle demands immediate reaction, opinion, and conclusions. Sometimes these conclusions are drawn when athletes' personal lives are involved. Sometimes, those conclusions are dead wrong.

We don't know if anything serious is wrong in Iverson's life, other than the fact that he's not starting for the Grizzlies and has made his opinion about that abundantly clear. (Hint: He feels the same way about coming off the bench in Memphis as he did in Detroit.) We do know that, given Iverson's history, his incessant griping about coming off the bench, and his vow last season that he'd retire before doing that again, there's ample evidence for you to assume the worst.

Either way, Iverson flew to his home in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, hours before the Grizzlies were scheduled to play the Clippers in Los Angeles. This came after meeting with team owner Michael Heisley on Friday night and again Saturday morning, the Memphis Commercial-Appeal reported. The team described his return as "undetermined." That's an ominous word, but this has been an ominous and awkward union from the beginning.

It was never a good idea for the Grizzlies, who are 1-5 to no one's surprise and going nowhere, to hook up with Iverson at this point in his career. The warning signs were there in Detroit last season, even though Iverson was by no means the only one in the wrong there. I still believe Iverson could've helped a serious title contender if he was able to swallow his pride and accept a sixth-man role. He does not want to accept such a role, even if it meant getting the championship that has eluded him during an otherwise brilliant career. Why would anyone think he'd accept that role in Memphis, where the Grizzlies aren't even the best basketball team in their own city?

The point is, even if Iverson's excused absence from the Grizzlies is for a legitimate reason, how is anything going to change when he returns? It's not. You knew this wasn't going to end well, and now it appears to have careened into a ditch only six games into the season. Hate to say it, but both sides should've seen it coming.

Category: NBA

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panthers_fan666 Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 4, 2007	Posted on: November 7, 2009 10:33 pm Score: 114 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well Well, I'm disappointed. I really thought before this season started that A.I may have changed. But as soon as he moaned after his first freakin game, I knew he was the same old. I've loved him throughout his career, and I really wanted him to do well in Memphis, I fought off so many haters, tried to convince people that he can still get it done, but now I question my own efforts. Surely he now retires. [ Reply to Comment ]
patsovercome Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 12, 2007	Posted on: November 7, 2009 11:18 pm Score: 75 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well i feel the same way........i have defended his attitude and play from the first time i watched basketball....i always thought he would prove the haters wrong and show who he really is. now he has, and i am in awe everything i fought for him is nothing i guess i really have no choice say he is a selfish immature lil dude that never grew up from playground ball it sucks [ Reply to Comment ]
broncos-7 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 28, 2006	Posted on: November 7, 2009 11:26 pm Score: 140 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well Iverson's tank was running low when Philly tossed his diva a$$ to the curb. Judging from last year his me-me-me attitude stifled Carmelo Anthony because it looked to me like Melo took his game up another notch last year when he had a true class act like Billups in the lineup. The Detroit experiment basically cause the Pistons to crash and burn. Fact is he still sees himself as a premier player in the association and at best he'd be a 6th man. He's becoming a punchline along the line of Marbury. Please just fade away. [ Reply to Comment ]
Laddin Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 22, 2006	Posted on: November 7, 2009 11:35 pm Score: 128 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well Boo to both of you. Allen Iverson is still the same player and personality he's always been. He's capable of scoring in bunches if he sees enough minutes and is given the green light to go. The article is dead on, Boo to Allen Iverson and Boo to Memphis for this bad partnership. I'm sure Allen Iverson thought to himself, yeah they're telling me I'm coming off the bench, but I'm better than the guys in front of me so I'll start. I'm sure Memphis wanted someone who was instantly recognizable and would put a few more butts in seats but they were committed to developing their young talent. This was a bad decision by both parties and six games into the doomed relationship it's already falling apart. [ Reply to Comment ]
wildcats9698 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 12, 2006	Posted on: November 8, 2009 10:27 am Score: 130 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well While I do thing AI can still score, he is a cancer to any team unless he becomes a vinnie "Microwave" johnson type player. Someone who can come off the bench and light it up to get a team going, no team is willing to make him the man. Get over it, it will happen to every superstar at some point in their career if they play long enough. AI is a all time great and can stretch his career out if he will just learn to be a roll player. I mean the goal to any team sport is to win at all cost, not show everyone how great I am. [ Reply to Comment ]
Schildkrotte Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 22, 2006	Posted on: November 8, 2009 10:53 am Score: 125 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well It's sad, really. Like a couple of the early posters, I thought AI was going to behave while he was in Memphis--not because he's changed (he never will), but because it would have been to his advantage to show that he COULD come off the bench, score in bunches, and be content with it. Then, and only then, could a contender have justified picking him up before the deadline in order to make a title run. Iverson must realize, after the dearth of off-season offers, that he is NOT NOT NOT going to start for a championship-caliber team. He probably wouldn't start for any team not seeded 7th or 8th in either conference's playoffs. He needed to demonstrate that he could accept a sixth-man role, and he blew it. Clearly, there's a problem there and, just as clearly, it's in his head. I have never figured out why "starting" is such an important designation in a sport that runs substitutes out there every two minutes or so. If he gets 20-25 minutes a game, what's the problem? He can't go 40 anyway, without breaking down, so all he's done by insisting on starting is freeze himself out of further opportunity. How can such a good player be such a stupid person? [ Reply to Comment ]
Sequel Reputation: 81 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 6, 2009	Posted on: November 8, 2009 10:59 am Score: 173 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well Why is people so phony? Yes, I'm talking about most of you on this blog! What happen to freedom of speech? Soon as somebody comes along and speaks their mind, we as narrow minded Americans want to step on the person because you don't agree! That's wrong! I happen to like when someone speaks the truth from the heart and not a bunch of p.r. bull, say what sounds good.F that! Look thru history, it has happen time and time again. If Allen Iverson was anyone else we wouldnt be talking about this issue, but since it's someone that seems to not care what others think, its a prob! Sometimes put yourself in the other person shoes, and not be so narrow minded! If you were losing like the Piston or Grizz coming off the bench and you wouldn't say nothing? Knowing that you still have one of the most dangerous games that ever laced up a pair of kicks! Child please! [ Reply to Comment ]
Denver Nugs Reputation: 32 Level: Rookie Since: Mar 6, 2009	Posted on: November 8, 2009 11:39 am Score: 103 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well This is a business and most seem to forget that. There is an owner who pays him to play. He should have gone to Europe if he felt this way and did not want to make the commitment to do his best for whatever team pays him. Why dont you tell your boss that you are going to go on leave since he does not pay you enough or wont let you say what you want even if it harms the business? The reason is, you would not have a job, just like AI!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
khrabb Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Dec 23, 2006	Posted on: November 8, 2009 11:57 am Score: 123 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well I can only assume that AI went to Memphis because there was at that point nowhere else for him to go. It was a bad move, but there were 3.1 million reasons for him to make it. Now the question becomes whether or not there is some team with higher immediate prospects than the Grizzlies that is willing to pull the trigger on a reasonable deal in the belief that AI can start, yes start, for them and actually help them advnace into the playoffs. Oddly enough, the Washington Wizards might be that team. Right now the Wizards have a collossal log jam at the 2-guard but no obvious, uh, Answer to complement Glbert Arenas. Allan Iverson just could be that player. Suppose the Wizards trade Randy Foye, whom Memphis would use as the ideal combo guard off the bench even up for AI? If AI were into playing in the town where it all started for hi at Georgwtown, a starting lineup of Gilbert Arenas, AI, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison could be pretty good... Mike Miller and Andray Blatche would be the first payers off the bench and DeShawn Stevenson would supply the backup defense. I am sure that a lot of people will come down onme for this, but it's just a thought! [ Reply to Comment ]
MWRedskins4 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 11, 2006	Posted on: November 8, 2009 1:05 pm Score: 107 Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: Log-in to rate: A.I. in Memphis was never going to end well Suppose the Wizards trade Randy Foye, whom Memphis would use as the ideal combo guard off the bench even up for AI? If AI were into playing in the town where it all started for hi at Georgwtown, a starting lineup of Gilbert Arenas, AI, Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison could be pretty good... Mike Miller and Andray Blatche would be the first payers off the bench and DeShawn Stevenson would supply the backup defense. i wouldnt want him if i was a Wizards fan, he doesnt help a team out, if anything he makes you worse or just the same, the pistons were a playoff bound team and with him starting they had a losing record, then they sent him to the bench and the team looked better. [ Reply to Comment ]