Allen Iverson needs to lay low for a while. After establishing himself as a potential Hall of Fame guard, with offensive skills never before seen in the league and establishing himself as a perennial winner who's only flaw was that he was surrounded by insufficient backup, the last year has done a lot to tarnish that reputation. After being traded to Detroit he was an outright disaster, unable to find his place in the offense or in the locker room. Meanwhile the guard he was traded for, Chauncey Billups, lead his team to the Conference Finals.
As a free agent this summer, Iverson needs to go somewhere quietly and rebuild his image, much the same way that his old coach Larry Brown has in Charlotte. But it might be another small market team Iverson ends up with. One that now features an... eclectic makeup of personalities.
Iverson might be headed South for the Winter.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that sources have indicated that there's a possibility Iverson could end up with the Grizzlies, only days after they traded for notorious leader, contributor, and all-around boy scout Zach Randolph. The crazy part is that the suggestion doesn't seem to be stemming from the Grizzlies looking to land a big free agent with the oodles of cap space they have.
No, instead it suggests that Iverson is the one seeking out Memphis.
For Iverson, the fit seems pretty natural. It's a comfortable situation. It's taking a demotion to a position you know absolutely you can fill without having to get too stressed out. He can come in, lead the team in scoring, do what he wants since the roster is so young, bully the coach who's not exactly coming in with tons of clout, and pick up a nice payday in a city that might fit his personal interests well.
For the Grizzlies? Of course it doesn't make sense. Iverson is a two guard that needs the ball in his hands at all times. So is O.J. Mayo. He's likely to be a bad influence on the young Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley. He will sap their precious cap space, forcing them to cut more salary at some point or another, likely sacrificing future flexibility.
But then, there was no reason for the Zach Randolph trade either. Bringing in Iverson gives them two names they can use to sell tickets. And if the team underperforms? Who cares? the only people suffering are the fans who have to watch two of the most combustible locker room issue players in the league ingite in an inferno that consumes the franchise.
All in all, I'd figure if this report is true, odds are 70/30 Wallace does it. Because otherwise, it wouldn't be Memphis.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A.I is crazy if he goes to Memphis. I know he can't be that desperate to play. It's a horrible fit for him. I think he should come to the south, but not Memphis. I think that some teams in the south that will be a better fit for him, if it's possible, are San Antonio, Houston, Atlanta, or Miami.
Nobody but Memphis and their incompetent management would consider AI and Zach on the same team. David Lee and build for the future or blow it all up yet again. Lets see..... Oh yea, this is Memphis. Just when ticket sales and excitement was starting to build again.
Until Heisley sells the team and the new owner gets a better GM, it is going to be like this. The fans arent going to pay and drive 30 miles to the arena to see a team with 4 guys in the starting line up that all say "give me the ball" at the same time. If they sign Iverson and he starts, that is what you are going to see. Talk about blowing up locker room chemistry. Well, I guess they didnt have any to begin with but bad chemistry is worse than no chemistry. But this is Memphis we are talking about, so are you surprised?
It hurts me to see a player who I have followed since he was in philadelphia(and we share the same bday) that who is going to the hall of fame and possibly could end up without a ring for his entire career. At this point he needs to be focused on a ring and not the money. I will loose all respect for A.I if he chases the money and not the ring!!!!
AI was aleays inclined on the money. He already made his millions. If he handled them right, he is set for retirement. If not, like a lot of those before him, then I feel sorry for him. Everybody chases the ring. But not everyone will get it. There is no need to despair if AI don't get a ring. Remember there are greater players, like, Ewing, Malone, etc. that never got the ring.