Report: Miami Enters the Iverson Derby
by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
It’s really amazing if you think about it. Here’s a guy who has now left two consecutive teams on horrible terms (the last one being an out-and-out disaster), and yet when he becomes an unrestricted free agent later on today, there will be no shortage of suitors
For what it’s worth, Larry Brown is putting in a good word for The Answer around the League. Actually, it might be worth something, as the Knicks aren’t the only ones reportedly “hot” after Allen Iverson.
It seems that Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are also interested.
From the NY Daily News:
Donnie Walsh said Wednesday night that the Knicks have yet to make a final decision on whether to sign Allen Iverson but the Knicks president hinted that the club is leaning strongly in that direction.
Iverson, a former MVP, is expected to clear waivers at 6 p.m. today and will become an unrestricted free agent. The Knicks could have competition from Miami, who according to a person close to Iverson said the team is “hot” after him.
If one were to guess — which is really all that can be done at this point — New York would appear to be the favorite to acquire A.I.’s services. He’d be the undisputed alpha dog on that team, an obvious impossibility in Miami, where Iverson would also have to battle for minutes at both guard spots.
Whatever the case, we’ll be finding out very soon what the next chapter of Allen Iverson’s life and career looks like.
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Allen Iverson is not the AI of old, but he is still a dynamic scorer, an unheralded passer, and in his current mindset I believe would be the kind of player that would do whatever it takes to get his legacy back on track as the best little man in NBA history. A horrible team like NY would instantly be boosted by a player of his ability, and at a crucial time with 2010 looming on the horizon.
Perhaps he wouldn’t be as good of a fit with Miami but you can bet your life that AI is going to have a different attitude playing behind a proven superstar like Wade, and let’s face it Mario Chalmers is no Mike Conley. I actually think he would be a good fit for them provided he swallows his pride, which I think will be easier to do for a winning, well-coached squad, any man with comparable accolades and talent would be unhappy with the situations he has been left in these last couple of stops.
This next venture, wherever it may be, will be the true test of exactly what Allen has left; if he bungles this then all the hate thrown his way will be justified and his legacy unquestionably tarnished, until then I am rooting for him to get things going again and prove he that he is not “done”, but entering the next chapter of an incredible NBA career.
Where was it reported that Iverson soured chemistry?
What “chemistry?”
Rudy Gay and OJ Mayo hate each other. Mike Conley has never played well. Zack Randolph still doesn’t play defense and is pretty much a black hole.
What chemistry?
You are just making crap up?
Iverson had a problem with the coach, no doubt. But what chemistry did he sour?
I have League Pass and watched all THREE of the games Iverson played in. Since he didn’t practice in training camp or play in the preaseason, which other games are you talking about?
Did you watch the games? How about the game against e Warriors hen Iverson was absolutely dominating, yet Hollings decided to still give Conley big minutes. Did you konw that in 22 minutes per game Iverson was shooting like 57 percent?
Your chemistry argument is some crap you’re regurgitating from other folks. You have no basis for it, because the only available sample proves you wrong.
Jukai
If you watch Grizzlies games, which I have, it’s obvious they hate each other. Plus, they have had several publicized conflicts both on the bench and in the locker room.
Iverson has definitely slowed down.
Your point?
What does that have to do with the mystical chemistry the Grizzlies had that Iverson ruined?
Who said he ruined chemistry, the home team announcers for the team? The same team that’s now 2-9?
You sir, pulled some wackness out of your behind, and now you don’t want to admit it. Man up and admit that your bias against Iverson led you to believe that it was inevitable that he ruined chemistry, and admit you just ran with that idea. There is no proof, just your bias.
Mayo scored a career-high 40 points, but the Grizzlies lost 133-123.
The incident took place during a timeout late in the fourth quarter. Gay took exception when Mayo made a strong comment about his teammates not getting back on defense, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and a number of players stepped in to separate the two players.
“I told them to shut up so we can get on with the rest of the game,” Hollins said. “It’s not about you. It’s about us trying to win a game. We can’t stand here with you guys going back and forth. It was a heat-of-the-moment incident. They get along. They’re just competitors. They both want to succeed.”
After the game both Mayo and Gay said that the incident was “nothing.”
———————————–
Damn, crazy stuff.
That’s the second time in two years they’ve had words on the bench, if I’m not mistaken. There is also talk of them having problems in the locker room.
Now, this could just be rumors, but it’s obvious when you watch them play that they aren’t big fans of each other. Like Tavoris, I think it’s mainly coming from Rudy Gay who seems a bit desperate to get his shine. The Grizzlies did refuse to pay him this summer, and we all know that isn’t happening when OJ comes up for his extension.
Iverson didn’t really do anything to Memphis’ team chemistry. I mean, how could he? I heard reports about how cool Iverson came off to some of the younger kids. In that hellhole of a locker room, he probably only helped. People just see what happened in Detroit and they just say the same crap without any research.
Iverson could have generally helped the Grizzlies, but it just wasn’t in the MO of the owner.
Right now Crawford is playing better. For their career, it ain’t even close.
Did you ever stop to ponder that, if Iverson had stuck around for a couple more games, he may have gotten that starting spot? Or at least been the finisher?
Obviously, Conley is in the dog house (ESPECIALLY since he has made Memphis look terrible by sucking so much) so Iverson could easily chipped away at his minutes slowly but surely.
And I would even say Iverson might have done that if Iverson wasn’t dealing with so much family issues at the time.
That’s a damn lie.
Wow, you just made up a damn lie.
A hamstring tear, in which Iverson said he heard a “pop” was no injury?
Really?
What actually happened was that Iverson said he felt ready to play earlier than the doctors thought was advisable. So when reporters asked him if he was ready to play, he said yes, but the team didn’t want him to play.
I can’t believe you just told that lie.
“I feel 100 percent, but they’ve been telling me with this injury, that’s the way it is,” Iverson said. “You feel well and then you go out there and try to take it fifth gear and it can tear again. That’s my whole dilemma right now, but I feel good.” that is my fault
No problem.
I’m not sure how Memphis figured, after the Detroit Fiasco, that Iverson would be alright coming off the bench. On the flip-side, for the life of me, the owner came out so many times and said Conley was starting, I have no idea how Iverson DIDN’T know that. It was either ignorance or Iverson was hoping it was just the media being the media. Christ, even NBA 2k10 and Live had Iverson coming off the bench! It wasn’t a secret.
This was just two stubborn, stupid forces clashing together, really.
1.Fisher and Farmar are playing horrible
2.Let Kobe take a few games off to rest his groin
3.Pau Gasol still hasn’t played
4.Sasha Vujacic is also playing horrible
5.Luke Walton is out 6 weeks
6.Plenty of minutes with Gasol out, bench playing horrible and time to give Kobe to rest, because A.I. could still carry the load Potential Starting Line-Up
PG- Fisher
SG- Kobe
SF- Artest
PF- Gasol
C- Bynum Bench:
PG- Farmar
SG- Iverson
SF- Brown(Because Walton is out 6+ Weeks, Even though he is PG/SG, but he is better than Vujacic)
PF- Odom
C- Powell
Ain’t no “impression” it’s obvious. D’Antoni doesn’t like Iverson. And he doesn’t want to coach him.
Larry Brown actually said that was the problem. He said Donnie Walsh was cool, but D’Antoni didn’t really want Iverson.
So, they should just keep it moving.
If D’Antoni impedes this Iverson signing, he is officially worse than Isiah Thomas.
I think Iverson has lost a step. I noticed it even more in his last game with the Grizzlies against Golden State.
That said, he’s still effective.
Y’all don’t remember Iverson when he first got into the League. Those first five years he was a blur man. Just unbelievably quick.
I actually don’t even think he’s top 5 anymore. He’s still quick, but not elite quick. His left hand has deteoriated greatly.
I’m not saying dude can’t still play and still get buckets, just saying that he has falled off quite a bit from his prime. Then again, this is his 13th or 14th year in the league. He came out one or two years after Jason Kidd and we can all see how he’s declined. .
You know why cuz the media didn’t mention it. Senario 3 if Lebron should go miami & play with the Flash & voluntarily shoots less to blend in with wade.
Will anyone say he has lost a step or dare call him washed up No So then Why should Iverson who coming of 1 of his best Statistical year. who sacrificed his scoring averaging Just “26.5ppg” & “6.7 apg” to share with Melo be called washed up. He then goes to Detroit & this very Selfish Man. The so called Thug, who did what the coach told him, & FURTHER SACRIFICED his beloved shots (that’s all he cares about right) on 14 per to BLEND with 3 scorers Sheed,Rip,Tayshaun + Stuckey & as a result was called washed up, ” Oh he Lost it” “AI is having a career low 17ppg” (biased reporters) Where was the step Lost, DID HE LOST HIS STEP ON THE AIRPORT TO DETROIT.
(gullible masses) for believing them. So then Why can’t AI get the chance to Age gracefully, & why is he selfish for being reluctant to enter a role
that has been carved out for him by ppl, who doesn’t mean him well. Why is AI wash up if he can’t drive past the whole league. I think its because we’ve been so captivated by his speed that we think thats all that define him. (Ding) bright light. He’s a crafty & sneaking player, & use alot of tricks & veteran moves on ppl too, Last year I’ve seen that & oh Yes his Jumper is still very wet. He has the Most underrated mid range J in the game. go to Youtube, an see the countless times he dropped 40 on mostly j’s even in Denver. where he shot a career best 45.4% for the season. ppk that’s the washed up Denver AI. Y so high cuz he had melo wich meant less tuff shots
In detroit he was forcing his Game cuz he had limited playing time & knew the media would crucify him if he avg less than 15ppg so he rushed his shots.
In Memphis after working on his J all summer (practice) we saw where his average is 57% so he doesn’t need to say ‘beep beep” after each crossover to score Now thanks to the misdiagnosed syndrome”lost a step” “AI is in a Lose, Lose scenario if he Goes to Knicks, He’s selfish & only wanna score, that proves the CHARACTER HATERS right. Haters 1, AI 0. If He Goes to Miami & sacrifices again he loses. that prove the GAME OR SKILLS HATERS right he’s Washed up.. Haters 1, AI 0. IF I WAS AI, I’d go to Knicks motivate that team, win some Games, Pass the Ball alot, shock a few ppl. Drop 40 & 50 in memphis & detroit respectively. UTILIZE the Massive media in Ny to work for me, By applying the Gilbert Arenas principle & Talk less since they twist all he says anyway. SKILLS HATERS 0, AI 1 Next year I’d sign with a contender @ the Midlevel exception or re-sign with the Knicks of they Land Lebron any other big name. & Shock ppl again, Voluntarily sacrifice my scoring to silence the CHARACTER HATERS. Character Haters 0, AI 2 Se Ai is in the precarious position of having to prove 2 things that oppose each other to two different types of haters. While Most of His Haters have the combination of these 2 doubts rolled in 1, He can’t shut them up @ once. Oh & He’d have to tweet during the summer @Haters I am going to VOLUNTARILY score less next year, i’m not washed up, i just feel like it.
Lionel Hollins stonewalled Iverson. Iverson should have handled it better, but that’s still the case. Hollins made it VERY clear that the promise to Iverson (that he could compete for the starting spot) would never result in him winning the starting spot. The excuse of “giving Conley a chance” was revealed to be rubbish also, because as soon as AI was gone, he started benching Conley in key minutes.
NOT HAPPENING.
the heat are already loaded with 1’s and 2’s…who are young and developing…where does iverson fit into this system?
besides iverson wants to start,and i dont see that happening because chalmers has proven to be a great pick and a solid defender.
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