Allen Iverson was granted permission to leave the Memphis Grizzlies to deal with a personal matter, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on Saturday. Iverson Iverson had a meeting with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley Friday night after the team lost 114-98 to the Los Angeles Lakers, the newspaper reported. Iverson met with Heisley again Saturday morning and then left for Atlanta, the Commercial Appeal reported. Iverson lives in Atlanta during the offseason. Iverson has played in three games for the Grizzlies since returning from a hamstring injury. He has come off the bench in all three games and made it known he is unhappy about it. "It's something that I never did in my life, so obviously it's a big adjustment," Iverson said of coming off the bench. Iverson also indicated that he was off to a rocky start with head coach Lionel Hollins over more than just a start position. "I think that's probably the worst part of all this," Iverson said Friday. "That while all this is going on, we have never talked to each other. That's probably why it's at this point right now. We've just never had a conversation, so 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." Iverson has averaged 12.3 points, 3.7 assists, 2.3 turnovers and 57-percent shooting in 22 minutes for the Grizzlies. The Associated Press contibuted to this dingaaa
Not every player can be David Robinson, the ex superstar who gave up the spotlight to a teammate and gladly accepted a secondary role. Most superstars in the NBA are not mentally wired to accept a role on the bench. Can you imagine what Jordan's reaction would be if he was asked to come off the bench for one of the worst teams in the league behind an inferior player? How about Kobe? he couldn't even take being second fiddle to Shaq. We never got to see how Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would have reacted to such treatment because they were forced to retire early, but the guys with the dominant personalities will never take being treated the way AI is being treated. What made them great when they were young also makes them look bad when their skills decline. On the other hand, you do have those guys that gladly give up the spotlight, David Robinson was a great example, Dominique Wilkins gladly became a 6th man, Karl Malone went to ride Shaq and Kobe's coattails. Just remember what people were saying about these guys when they were young: they lack the fire to be the franchise player on a championship team. I'll give you some other guys that will gladly be a role player, VC and Tmac, these two will be known as great setup men (if Tmac's career doesn't end because of the injury).
yeah great way to run a business. throw millions of dollars around, run a team out onto the floor and wing it. im not sure some teams even try to win really.
as selfish as he's acting, you have to admit that he does deserve a starting spot over conley. he's shooting 57%. he's a better player than conley even at his age.
It's not always about how good you are or how much better you can perform than the starter ahead of you. AI needs to learn the concept of discipline and how it is a vital part of being in a team. Sometimes, just maybe sometimes you need to swallow your pride and let the coach run the team. It's the reason why he hasn't and will never win a championship ring. You look at Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen playing behind Paul Pierce and how well functioned that team is. AI could never do that.
I feel like everybody is always out to teach Allen Iverson a lesson. Stop teaching him! He doesn't learn! If you are going to employ him, you should play him. That's the responsibility you accepted by picking up a high ego player like him. I gurantee you that the Grizzlies win at least 10 more games than last year just by putting him in the starting lineup. He still has the capability to average 25 plus points in a game regardless of how he does it. It's not like the Grizzlies are going anywhere. They're going to lose Rudy Gay next year, they're still going to suck next year and they'll still be a lottery team again. At least put the guy in the lineup to sell some tickets!
such a sad sad waste. Iverson would automatically win 6th man of the year if he could keep his ego in check. His career is over.
Put aside of AI ego and his selfishness, Grizzlies are r****ded in the first place to hire AI for 1 year. They knew AI has too much ego to come off the bench, and his presence will only interfere with development of young players and team chemistry. Grizzlies just never cease to amaze me how stupid they are.
Well it didn't take around midseason like I said... http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=4746468&postcount=20
Yep. It was mutual stupidity for the Grizz to sign AI and for him to go there. They deserve each other.
I am sooooo glad the Rox didn't sign him!! I thought he'd at least last until December before he went off>
All 3 are great players and they are friends. And they are there to win a ring. AI is a much better veteran in a young team. And his there to win a better contract. Its 2 different situation, and AI deserve much better than this.
