AI/Grizzlies agree to terminate contract

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Normally a training camp battle should determine who starts if things are unclear. But when the two people in question are Allen Iverson and Michael Conley, there is no doubt who is the better player.

Mike Conley is a better fit and a better PG for Memphis than Iverson is right now.

If Iverson was a starter in this league he would have signed as a starter in this league. This offseason told us everything there was to tell us about Iverson and what the NBA thinks about him. He is no longer a starter in this league.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Good article from a Memphis paper about this: http://www.memphisflyer.com/Beyondth...e-anymore#more

I agree totally with the conclusions here...

"The problem with all of this, of course, is that it's predicated on a rational consideration of how good basketball teams function, but that isn't what the Iverson Experiment has ever been about. It's about a starstruck owner flexing his muscles and running roughshod over his own organization.

If Michael Heisley, Chris Wallace, and Lionel Hollins didn't directly broach the subject of a potential bench role with Iverson when they collectively met with him before the signing — and it appears that they didn't — then this is an act of negligence. And Iverson himself seems less like a person to be reasoned with than a bomb to be diffused, a realization that detracts from the potential fun regardless of which direction things head. But we are where we are.

Iverson as sixth man, often closing out games, is the best role for the team, but it's probably better to accede to his demands to start than let this issue combust and tank a promising season. So, at this point, when he's physically ready for a big boost in minutes (and I'm not convinced that's as soon as tonight against Golden State), the team might as well let Iverson have his way. But letting him start opens up a couple of new questions:

1. Can he bend his game even a little bit into a team context? Iverson has always taken tons of shots, but he's older now, less physically explosive, and playing with the most talented cast of scorers he's ever been surrounded by. For this to work, his game needs to change a little. Is he willing to do that even if he starts? Against Sacramento, he had nine field-goal attempts and one assist. That ratio won't cut it if he's going to be on the floor with Mayo, Gay, Randolph, and Gasol for most of his minutes.

2. And where is the line drawn in terms of what Iverson is willing to accept? Is it okay to bring him out at the 5:00 mark in the first quarter or is that too soon? Playing him in shorter bursts, particularly early, will keep him fresh and help the team spread out the scoring options throughout the game. But would that kind of substitution pattern also draw Iverson's post-game ire?

_______________________

The One Good Thing: There is one good thing that will likely come out of starting Iverson, and that's putting the ball in Mayo's hands more. A Mayo/Iverson backcourt would likely function as a pair of combo guards, with each player taking turns bringing the ball up and initiating the offense, which will help the team get a better read on the best way to use Mayo going forward and thus the best kinds of backcourt partners for him. Of course, putting Mayo on the ball would likely be best paired with a strong, physical defender who's a good spot-up shooter, and Iverson is neither of these things."

[23]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

AI is not in the position to tell any organization what to do

He is no longer a franchise player, and just cannot get over the fact that just maybe things are changing. Changes arent always easy to accept but the fact of the matter is, he'd better check his attitude before it nets him unwanted early retirement

[o_capone]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

The last time Iverson led his team to the playoffs as the teams best player was when?

The last time his team won a playoff series was when?

Iverson is declining. He is slower. He isn't better than any of the players playing ahead of him in Memphis. No one wanted Iverson this offseason besides Memphis.

Iverson's current state in the NBA has little to nothing to do with his past coaches. It has everything to do with him being on the downswing of his career.

ummm he went to the playoffs with denver after winning 50 games, but he happened to run in to the lakers... the year before they were in the playoffs too, but they ran in to i think the spurs... both were teams that went to the NBA finals...

[Streets]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Um coaches definately need to adapt to their players... some players get established in their ways after playing in the league for so long... really most players... how many players change this deep into their careers without suffering an injury that causes them to be less effective, or some type of other physical limitations?

Like someone said, Iverson has not been effective at "what he does" for awhile. By effective I mean getting wins, advancing in the playoffs, etc. Not just putting up gaudy stats and getting All-Star votes.

But to answer your question, the guy who pops into my head right now is Shaq. He went to Miami, understood there was a system in place, played Robin to Wade's Batman and got ring #4. And Shaq doing what Shaq does was proven effective (it can be argued that he didn't get the ball enough when LA lost to Detroit, and Kobe shot them out of it). So here's a mega-star who's set in his ways, like Iverson, who had been dominating "doing what he does" and he changed roles for the betterment of the team. Iverson still thinks it's the 90's. He's not the same player. Age catches up to everyone.

[o_capone]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Like someone said, Iverson has not been effective at "what he does" for awhile. By effective I mean getting wins, advancing in the playoffs, etc. Not just putting up gaudy stats and getting All-Star votes.

But to answer your question, the guy who pops into my head right now is Shaq. He went to Miami, understood there was a system in place, played Robin to Wade's Batman and got ring #4. And Shaq doing what Shaq does was proven effective (it can be argued that he didn't get the ball enough when LA lost to Detroit, and Kobe shot them out of it). So here's a mega-star who's set in his ways, like Iverson, who had been dominating "doing what he does" and he changed roles for the betterment of the team. Iverson still thinks it's the 90's. He's not the same player. Age catches up to everyone.

Shaq's physical abilities obviously declined though... Allen Iverson's physical abilities have not...

[snepp]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Allen Iverson's physical abilities have not...

They certainly have, and the sooner you acknowledge it, the sooner this abortion of a thread can end.

[Streets]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Shaq's physical abilities obviously declined though... Allen Iverson's physical abilities have not...

Really? Iverson is just as explosive at 34 years old as he was 10 years ago? He's just as good of a defender? That's awesome!

I either need some of what's in AI's drinking water or your Kool-Aid.

[o_capone]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

man, I swear last year is all people judge Allen Iverson by... they completely ignore the previous season... I want to know how you guys can possibly think someone's physical abilities decline that much in a matter of 6 months...

do you guys not realize how horrible of a situation all of the Detroit Pistons were in last season or what?

I don't know man, the reason I believe AI still has it in him is because he went from being #3 in the NBA in scoring, and #9 in the NBA in assist, to his terrible season (by his standards) in Detroit.

How do you go from #3 in the NBA in scoring and #9 in the NBA in assist, to being a bench player who everyone hates within 6 months?

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

It's not about whether or not Iverson can put up numbers if you let him dribble around and chuck up shots all day. The league has moved on from that. There is too much talent at multiple positions, and people don't think that Iverson can be a part of a winning ball club. Those that believe he can be effective on a championship caliber team like the Spurs, Boston or LA, feel that he could only find that effectiveness in the capacity of an instant offense 6th man.

He doesn't defend, shoot the three, or shoot spot up jumpers well enough to be a second or third option in a starting lineup, and he dominates the ball too much and is too inefficient to be a first option.

So like almost every 34 year old in NBA history, Iverson has to adjust his game if he wants to win. He doesn't, so he's doing the same exact things he's been doing since he got in the league, except now people know exactly what he is, and no GM is in the market for it.

[Jukeman]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

The myth of Allen Iverson will never die...for someone who is a has been this is one helluva hot topic...

Smh @ "why didnt playoff teams want him"

The man said he wants to start...He aint going to start on a already contending team...What playoff team wants a small back court? Yes NO doesnt have a SG but will Paul and AI work in a back court? Those teams dont want him because of his demands not because of his talent...If he accepted the 6man role, damn near every team would want him, heck the Celtics offered Starbury for another year...Now is AI a fool for not taking that role for a championship team? Maybe, but AI is a competitor not to mention a future HOFer, he wants to be the man that leads the team....If you are waiting for a 30+ year old AI to change they way he's been since high school, then you are the fool...

[NBA2k8 CHAMP]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

It's like a little kid, man.

Unbelievable...always about him, never about his team.

The best thing for his team is to be on the court over Conley.

Gasol
Randolph
Gay
Mayo
Iverson

is the best chance they have at making a playoff run.For the future Conley may be the answer but he's always been overrated imo.

Did the Grizzlies lose that game? I understand if he's complaining and they won but they freaking loss.

Iverson had 11 points 5-7 shooting in 18 minutes while Conley had 9 and 5 in 30+.

The Grizzlies had the lead before they took Iverson out in the 4th.

This is like the situation in Portland with Blake and Miller.

[NBA2k8 CHAMP]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

It's not about whether or not Iverson can put up numbers if you let him dribble around and chuck up shots all day.

Go see Chris Paul,Lebron,Wade,and Steve Nash then!!!!!!!

In Denver he shot 46% that's far from chucking!

Billups shoots 41% that's chucking!

[NBA2k8 CHAMP]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

man, I swear last year is all people judge Allen Iverson by... they completely ignore the previous season... I want to know how you guys can possibly think someone's physical abilities decline that much in a matter of 6 months...

do you guys not realize how horrible of a situation all of the Detroit Pistons were in last season or what?

I don't know man, the reason I believe AI still has it in him is because he went from being #3 in the NBA in scoring, and #9 in the NBA in assist, to his terrible season (by his standards) in Detroit.

How do you go from #3 in the NBA in scoring and #9 in the NBA in assist, to being a bench player who everyone hates within 6 months?

Exactly!

The only difference in Denver now is Melo is a legit superstar /MVP candidate

Birdman,Martin,and Nene are healthy and they don't have weak AC starting every game.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis

Go see Chris Paul,Lebron,Wade,and Steve Nash then!!!!!!!

In Denver he shot 46% that's far from chucking!

Billups shoots 41% that's chucking!

Is he nuts? No! He's insane!