• November 9, 2009 9:00 am  |  62 Comments

    Will A.I. Retire?


    There’s speculation in Memphis that Iverson might call it quits: “Allen Iverson is contemplating retirement if he doesn’t rejoin the Grizzlies, according to a source with knowledge of the veteran guard’s situation. Iverson left the team Saturday after receiving permission from Griz owner Michael Heisley to deal with a personal matter. The stress associated with a family issue plus Iverson’s frustration over playing a reserve role might spell the end of his 14-year NBA career, according to the source. Heisley said he’s not been given any indication that Iverson might be leaning towards retirement, and still is holding out hope that the 10-time All-Star will return to Memphis.”

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    • Brad Long Posted: Nov.9 at 9:04 am
      It may just be the Griz putting a spin on this, but I’m hearing this has more to do with a family issue at home than it does playing time. Either way, I really hope this isn’t the last we see of the Answer, pound for pound one of the greatest scorers of all time.

    • rog123 Posted: Nov.9 at 9:06 am
      Maybe its better for him to retire, than continue tarnishing his already notorious legacy

    • ave. joe Posted: Nov.9 at 9:13 am
      He should at least join a contender where he can start and win a ring before he goes, I don’t wanna see another Charles Barkley or Karl Malone. So sad :(

    • JR MARTIN Posted: Nov.9 at 9:18 am
      A.I. do not dwell on how the media are feasting on the issue of you coming off the bench or not, it sells. Media is not just the USA press…You have supporters all over the globe, more than you might ever know…Knows what you brought to the game of basketball and understands how tough it is to be in your shoes right now. But rise up. Nobody puts a good man down.

    • M-Blog Posted: Nov.9 at 9:46 am
      Ai doesn’t deserve this but hey he couldn’t put the strippers aside and get up for work every morning ..Now he can hang in the strip clubs all night without any worries in the world ..Its soo sad that he had to go out like this …Another example of why black man need mentor-ship in their lives .. I’m heartbrokenn…David and the Media took all this man’s power …AI overdose story coming soon …DAMN DAMN DAMN

    • Z Posted: Nov.9 at 9:53 am
      That’s a good point, B. Long: what if the family issue is actually… a family issue? Everybody seems to take for granted that this is basketball-related. I admit that the timing seems to be too perfect but you never know.

    • M-Blog Posted: Nov.9 at 9:58 am
      @B-long you really don’t know whats going on at home , you want to act like you really have the inside scoop on his family ..I do know the gossip blogs have been picking on his oldest daughter and stealing pictures off her Facebook page ..Or maybe one of his 3 outside baby mom’s are trying to come forward and let the world know AI is the father of their children..

    • nastierthanu Posted: Nov.9 at 9:59 am
      Weird to see how people love u 1 second and hate the next. Answer been smooth since days of underoos. How soon we forget how nasty he was in the back court with marbury in the all star game. Wish the man the best. Hopefully he handles his handle. The whole worlds watchin the answer.

    • rnibbs20 Posted: Nov.9 at 9:59 am
      i hope ai doesn’t retire he still has alot of talent left it would be sad for him to waste it.I know that detroit wasn’t the best fit and memphis probably isn’t either, but i think if he would go to a team like charlotte or new york where they need somebody to score consistently on a daily basis i think he would be a good fit on that team. And i think he would work good with d-wade in miami ai could run the point and wade could be the 2 guard. I just don’t think that ai should retire right now anyway i think he could probably play another 2 to 3 years averging about 20 a game

    • SLAM ONLINE | » Hot Topics Posted: Nov.9 at 10:14 am
      [...] Bye-bye, AI? [...]

    • The Philosopher Posted: Nov.9 at 10:28 am
      The Hornets can use a real scorer next to Paul. That would be a devestating backcourt, think about it. But Iverson has lost his hunger years ago. We’re seeing a man who isn’t hungry and can’t handle it.

    • niQ Posted: Nov.9 at 10:30 am
      You know, I understand the coach wants to develop his younger players. But if the case is simply “AI wants to start,” then why don’t you just start him and then bench him after 5 minutes into game? I mean, look at Denver and Toronto, they’re starting A.Carter and DeRozan and then benching them for most of the game…

    • ciroqobama Posted: Nov.9 at 10:45 am
      Please retire

    • TADOne Posted: Nov.9 at 10:54 am
      It may be time to get that Rosetta Stone and learn some Spanish.

    • larrylegend Posted: Nov.9 at 11:03 am
      i will wait till the 2011/12 season, when the lakers sign a.i. out of retirement, to help the lakers winning another chip.

    • M-Blog Posted: Nov.9 at 11:03 am
      I want to know how many WALL STREET EXECS would take a supervisor job at Walmart ?None! so why should AI have to lower his standards ?SOMEONE please explain..

    • larrylegend Posted: Nov.9 at 11:05 am
      quitting on the season after 2 weeks is an improvement to the last season, isn’t it?!

    • Brad Long Posted: Nov.9 at 11:16 am
      M-Blog:I was refering to a statement made by Michael Hinsley. Unfortunately my application to become a part of Allen’s posse was turned down for some reason.

    • 360vue Posted: Nov.9 at 11:20 am
      lol @ TADOne
      personally, i cant see where AI is going to go?! dont really know the issues for each for franchise but who needs a problem like AI? I can’t think of anyone who can pay him what he wants AND play him like he wants…. i used to wish AI never left phila and now hes probably open to any offers im hoping we stay well well well away

    • NUPE Posted: Nov.9 at 11:23 am
      This is sounding too much like last season now. He had a back problem last year that kept him out and now he has a personal issue to deal with that has him away from the team. It may all be true and just by chance he has to leave the team when not starting. But as much as I love his game, I’m now losing my support of him as a player. I don’t think he reitres, or at least if he does retire it will only be for the rest of the season. I could see him sitting out unitl December then his personal matter goes away when he get’s traded to anyone of a number of teams that can use him. If Delonte West goes to jail I could see him starting in Cleveland. Charlote, NYC, also places that would start him. If he wants to be on a contender, cleveland is his best potential option, and I can see him playing with Bron and Shaq etc. They seem to have the types of personalities and status that can handle and appreciate AI.

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 11:28 am
      Co-sign TADone. However, I hear that Euro-ball is even MORE fundamentally sound than the NBA. You know what, just call it quits. God bless you Allen Iverson.

    • RobertGingerbreadman) Posted: Nov.9 at 11:37 am
      Wowwwwwwwwwww!!! A.I. Will Not Retire People He Just Needs A Team Were He Will Shine Again Maybe(BOBCATS OR CLIPPERS)Either Way He Will Still Be In The HALL OF FAME Because He Is One Of The Best Scorers Of All Time. Much Love Allen Iverson

    • Brian Posted: Nov.9 at 12:38 pm
      If AI goes to Spain to play they need to make sure he feels welcome by speaking English. It would be disrespectful towards AI to expect him to learn another language.

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 12:40 pm
      HAHAHAHAHAHA. Word Brian. Word.

    • slawson Posted: Nov.9 at 12:41 pm
      I can’t see him joining a team top start, unless it was The Nets or Knicks, just to play out the string (the Celtics will run away with the division, with Toronto the next team back.. at about 15 games. The Knicks or the Sixers could use him, I suppose. This season does not matter to alot of teams… they are blowing ‘em all up for next season well in advance.

    • slawson Posted: Nov.9 at 12:45 pm
      a team TO start on… sorry… not Top start. I can’t see any TOP team wanting him as more than an emergency reserve… because if they are any good, they have somebody else that the offense is going through already. AI want to be the “play maker” which for most teams… is the “deal breaker”.

    • Cizzo Posted: Nov.9 at 12:47 pm
      Eff Iverson that’s the the correct answer!!!!!!!!!!

    • BostonBaller Posted: Nov.9 at 12:49 pm
      I loved AI’s game and his heart and I think he still has something in his tank BUT I’m not going to cry over a millionaire who “plays” for a living. He should have never said he would come off the bench and do whatever it took to help the team win JUST to get a contract. That’s what it seems like he did b/c no one else was really offering him anything and I think his complaining was the main reason more teams didn’t want him. As far as AI & CP3 in the same backcourt, it sounds real nice but whom would they cover on defense? One of them would constantly be posted up bi bigger 2’s.

    • JE Posted: Nov.9 at 1:39 pm
      Let’s look at this situation from a different perspective for a second, focusing on how stupid it really is that Iverson’s role with the Grizzlies has been so small. They’ve won one game. They would, without question, be a better team with Iverson in the starting lineup playing 30+ minutes a game. If somehow this team was able to snag the 8th playoff seed in the West, you’d have to consider Iverson — the same player who’s currently getting 16 minutes a night off the bench behind Mike Conley — as an MVP candidate. Those arguing that this would stunt the growth of Mike Conley need to realize that the guy just isn’t that good. It’s not like wrapping chains around some prodigy with the potential to become an All-Star. Best case scenario, there are 4 teams other than the Grizzlies that Conley would have a shot at starting point for, and even those moves would be questionable. It’s a travesty that there were so few teams with interest in Iverson over the summer. But to sign a player of his caliber who is still mountains above your current point guard, and then leave him rotting on the bench is nothing short of a sick joke.

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 1:43 pm
      Sorry JE, it’s over. NEXT!

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 1:50 pm
      To come into any professional arena and demand ANYHTING from ANYONE is down right, stupid, arrogant and disrespectful. How many jobs have you been hired for, only to demand the spot of womeone that’s already been there… and kept the job you had in the first place? What has been happening in the past year-and-a-half or so is a concentrated version of Shaq the franchise buster… 1)Go to a team 2)They recieve you with open arms 3)Demand the ball 4)They look at you funny because THEY let YOU in 4) Act beligerent, s*!t on the entire franchise.

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 1:51 pm
      *someone

    • nbk Posted: Nov.9 at 2:01 pm
      Brian your right, look at his resume, I mean he has done so many things while speaking English, its propestorous to expect him to change. What-a Clown

    • Sporting-Lisbon-Blazers Posted: Nov.9 at 2:48 pm
      needs to be humble like Manu Ginobili, who actually acomplished more than him btw…thats really his problem, so hyped by the media back in his day that he cant stay humble and hungr anymore..hes just clowning in Memphis

    • Russ Bengtson Posted: Nov.9 at 2:59 pm
      I’m gonna refrain from commenting until I hear more about this family issue.

    • Spaceship Jay Posted: Nov.9 at 3:05 pm
      You know what… Russ Bengtson is right.

    • Young C Posted: Nov.9 at 3:23 pm
      Is Retirement The Answer?

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.9 at 3:26 pm
      Spaceship Jay, he is handing this situation COMPLETELY WRONG, but is it a cause for concern when a coach DOESN’T TELL PLAYERS WHAT THEIR ROLE WILL BE? Is it a problem when players don’t know, or are frustrated with said yet-to-be-explained role?
      Conley is still NOT a starting caliber PG. After 2 full seasons of starting on a perpetual lotto team, with EVERY opportunity to try-fail-improve, he’s STILL the exact same player he was 3 years ago at OSU. When/if the Grizz get the #1 pick and draft John Wall, will he come off the bench too? How is Hollins making NO alterations to his rotation after starting out as the 2nd worst team in the ENTIRE LEAGUE. Considering the talent on the team, this is CRAZY…

    • Seven Duece Posted: Nov.9 at 3:35 pm
      Sorry, but I have officially gotten tired of the A.I. drama. Maybe I could’ve defended him when he was at least entertaining (and everybody else touted his different style of ‘making teammates better’), but now this has just gotten silly. Life and the game will go on whether or not he’s starting, coming off the bench or not playing anyhwere. I have no sympathy for guys not checking their egos even periodically. And didn’t he say God chose Memphis for him?

    • Hussman25 Posted: Nov.9 at 3:56 pm
      I too agree w/ Russ… want to see what is this family issue all about??? That will have to come out for this info to be valid! But it is time for this man to just walk away… from the NBA Game… He can definitely go overseas and make doe; if thats what he wants… but do you really want this man to go overseas where fundamentals are even more stressed; and individualism will have him seeing flashbacks of Michael Curry and Lionel Hollins??? NAW! Allen, come back to Philly; sign a 1 day contract and Retire a Sixer… we understood u… YES, U were selfish, but we dealt with it until we had to let you go once you became too much of a problem. That’s what we “loved” about you… it was your way; but for the betterment of your city, your team and your league you JUST COULDN’T CHANGE! DAMN!

    • nbk Posted: Nov.9 at 4:38 pm
      his family issue has nothing to do with his complaining. whether or not the family issue is relevant, its timing is uncanny. Just like last year, when Iverson decided he didn’t want to come off the bench in Detroit, his back was all of the sudden hurt. If the Family Issue is relevant to why he is not playing and might retire then I apologize, but the timing, and consistency of AI leaving his team right when he gets upset is predictable. I could have told you he would have a family issue or injury the day after the press conference announced conley would be keeping his starting spot.

    • kev Posted: Nov.9 at 5:12 pm
      as a Philly fan Ai used to be a favorite of mine but he never improved his game or hit the gym to keep himself relevant at an old age. What”s left of his game??? A average midrange jumper, an inconsistent 3, absolutely no defense what so ever, a shitty attitude, unwillingness to share the ball, shall I go on? If he was willing to adapt and play more of a point guard role a la steve nash then perhaps his skills could still be usesful but he wont do that so he can’t help anyone. Thats why only the grizz were willing to take a chance and that was only to sell tickets.

    • Hoodsnake Posted: Nov.9 at 6:30 pm
      Damn Russ u know way much better than anybody posting here Al is a phenom even at age 34 but as a person? C’mon.

    • westphilly Posted: Nov.9 at 7:44 pm
      Im from philly an i watched ai since his rookie year and i sad about all of this but i can’t say i aint see it coming the Grizz never said he was starting an he said he aint coming off da bench again so now the grizz got 2 pay him 3.5mil for 3 games sweet!If he were willing to change the Sixers would have not got rid of him in 06′..To this day he’s my fav player but i anit gon lie if he aint gon shut up an play then he might as well stay home i heard his son is gonna be good i guess he got to pick it up 4 his pop..also if any body wants 2 buy my sixers-grizz tix’s there on ebay im out like Ai

    • westphilly Posted: Nov.9 at 8:20 pm
      im from philly an i love ai for what he brought to mthe game but its sad that he couldn’t change the way he plays or acts off the court he should have never asked to leave philly he thought the grass was greener an he was still gonna be loved for who he is;the problem is that philly loved him for that it was his way or no way and we were so bad of a team before he got here we just went along wit it until he said it was time for him to leave…Now all u people from all over is not gonna love him the way we do cause he used to come to your city wit that black SIXERS jersey an light it up 4 philly but now he aint here an where is he gonna get love like home we drafted his ass OVER kobe an Kobe is from Philly!How dare he make us look stupid an ask to leave his HOME! and if u look closer at the situation last year before the pistons had to come here an play the sixers he left the team and now this year when the grizz about to come here to play the sixers in a week(nov20th) he left the team funny huh? I feel him though u don’t wanna come home an look at all the people u turned ur back on in 06′ the last time he was here he got on his hands an knees and kissed the 76ers logo that right there should tell u how he feels about PHILLY….When he was traded(to denver) he was 2,000pts ahead of kobe on the scoring list an now Kobe jus passed him while he was on the Bench watching Damn homie in Philly u was tha Man Homie fuc happend 2 U!

    • Jacob J Posted: Nov.9 at 8:36 pm
      He’s just making excuses now. Like I said hes nothing but a whine-ass. I’d finally be happy if he would retire!

    • Rikson Posted: Nov.9 at 9:46 pm
      Even if he has some family issues… that really doesnt matter anymore at this point!

    • Boing Dynasty Posted: Nov.9 at 11:56 pm
      This reminds me of Jerry Rice in a Bronco’s jersey.

    • shifty Posted: Nov.10 at 4:05 am
      Iverson is a dick.

    • Wyclef Posted: Nov.10 at 10:16 am
      He’s been whining that he doesn’t get enough play time wherever he is swinging his cornrows. He should go to Europe. His role would most certainly be a leading one, plus I’m absolutely sure he would be compensated quite heftily. He’s a 10x All-Star anyway.

    • Wayno Posted: Nov.10 at 11:45 am
      His “family issue” is probably about as real as his “back injury”…

    • rog123 Posted: Nov.10 at 1:09 pm
      If he went to europe, he would complain about only scoring 13 ppg. Even though that is very good for euro-ball

    • doyouwantmore Posted: Nov.10 at 5:30 pm
      He should play at home by himself. He can even get little ‘Iverson League’ championship rings made and everything. Then he doesn’t have to worry about playing time, teammates, practice, or anything except for what is most important to him.

    • im22too Posted: Nov.10 at 8:45 pm
      “Family issues. We talkin’ about family issues.” I actually recall when Vlade played through playoffs when all the drama was going on in Serbia…day and day out, then went home and stayed up all night speaking w/ his family…then back to practice… People were DYING in Serbia and Vlade respected his country and his family by suiting up EVERYDAY and GOING TO WORK. …like a real man does.

    • songz Posted: Nov.10 at 9:55 pm
      man fuk this shit! he aint retiring! he still got it in him. enough said.

    • Ray Posted: Nov.11 at 2:36 am
      I read some of these comments and I know a good amount of you aren’t trying to put down A.I. but for you lame a$$es out there who are… -Allen Iverson was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2001
      -Allen Iverson was ranked #53 in SLAM Magazine’s Top 75 NBA players of all time in 2003.
      -Allen Iverson was the NBA Rookie Of The Year in 1997
      -Allen Iverson is a 7 time All-NBA
      -Allen Iverson is a 7 time NBA All-Star
      -Allen Iverson is a 2 time NBA All-Star Game MVP… and that’s not a complete list on the man. Whether or not he was truly injured last year or if he really has a personal/family situation this year, it does NOT matter. The dude is roughly 6 feet tall and weighs as much as a couple sacks of potatoes and he managed to impact the game of basketball more than all but a handful of players. The man is a god to the game and he isn’t coping well with the fact that players age about three times as fast in the league than in real life. He wasn’t just a starter his entire career, he was a ‘crossing-MJ-at-the-top-of-the-key” type of player. So now he doesn’t want to come off the bench, I wouldn’t either. Most people will think he’s selfish or not a team player but I got MAD RESPECT for him because he’s doing it the only way he knows how and that’s HIS way. He was one of the greatest and will forever be one of the greatest.

    • Hoodsnake Posted: Nov.11 at 6:46 am
      AI on the cavs isnt a bad idea. I mean Bron brings the ball up so he can lead the L in assists as well. Shaq focuses more on D and rebounding and when the defense sags he gets an easy look. That will be championship material. Think about it

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.11 at 9:14 am
      im22too, how do u feel about Derek Fisher talking the Jazz into releasing him because of “family issues”? Yeah, I know his daughter was sick, but that STILL pales in comparison to Divac, right? Relax dude…u never know what people are REALLY going thru. Let the truth come out first.

    • Brian Posted: Nov.11 at 9:42 am
      If AI wants to see what a warrior is he should look at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who despite being diagnosed with cancer early last year kept on showing up for work without the world knowing. He scored more points than the fugazi tough guy also, a lot more.

    • Young Lebron 23 Posted: Nov.11 at 1:09 pm
      COME BACK TO PHILLY FOR A YEAR :)

    • im22too Posted: Nov.11 at 7:25 pm
      @ Tavoris. you are right, my statement was a bit premature, but eventually, you gotta put your money where your mouth is. “you’re only as good as your last game.” but drama aside, my prayers go out to him and his family–I hope he can find solace somewhere and return to his rightful place on the hardwood.

    • tavoris Posted: Nov.12 at 10:37 am
      it’s funny that NOW(that AI is gone) Lionel Hollins is starting to snatch Conley when he plays like crap.

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