Monday, November 16, 2009
Iverson Out
Posted by Chris Herrington on Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 8:52 PM
- Larry Kuzniewski
- Byeverson: We hardly knew ye, A.I., but we sure felt your impact.
The Memphis Grizzlies today released the following statement from General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace.
“The Grizzlies and Allen Iverson have come to a mutual agreement that because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team on November 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time, allowing him to focus on those matters.
“As a result, we will be ending our contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties to move forward. We wish Allen the best.”
The initial read around the country was that no other team would have interest in Iverson, but it looks like there may be one exception: The New York Daily News' Frank Isola is reporting that the New York Knicks management will look to meet with Iverson to explore a potential signing.
The first reaction from Grizzlies fans might be to wonder why the team would simply waive Iverson if another team has interest, but there's nothing the Knicks could or would give the Grizzlies for Iverson that the Grizzlies would or should want. And if Iverson signs with the Knicks, it would likely be for roughly a third of the $3.1 million contract he'd gotten from the Grizzlies.
I feel like I should write something more substantial about Iverson's final exit, but there's really nothing to say I didn't already say here.
I will reprint something I wrote in my post-game report on the Grizzlies' weekend win over the Wolves, which I think underscores some of the opportunity cost in owner Michael Heisley's short-sighted, starstruck management of the team this summer:
Better tonight was Ramon Sessions who came off the bench for 13 points and 8 assists, splitting time between both backcourt spots, his quick first step giving O.J. Mayo, in particular, fits.The Grizzlies discussed a trade with the Bucks last year that would have exchanged Mike Conley for Sessions, but Bucks ownership reportedly wouldn't pull the trigger. And the Grizzlies considered giving Sessions an offer sheet this summer, but were reluctant to commit multiple years with the cap likely to shrink and with potentially multiple players coming up for extensions. I understand this reasoning, but I don't agree with it. The combined salaries this season for Sessions ($3.7 million) and that of renounced free agent Hakim Warrick ($3.0) is roughly equal to the combined salaries of Grizzlies acquisitions Allen Iverson ($3.1) and Steven Hunter ($3.7). There's no guarantee that the Grizzlies could have had both Warrick and Sessions this season, but I think the odds are pretty good. And this team would look a lot better right now if they'd gone in that direction.
So closes the book on the misguided, poorly handled by all involved, and opportunity squandering Allen Iverson Era for the Grizzlies. He's being replaced now on the roster by the less talented, less popular, potentially more troubled, but presumably less trouble-causing Jamaal Tinsley, of whom I still haven't written much. I'll have to target tomorrow for a more extensive look at the Tinsley signing, ahead of what will likely be his debut Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Showing 1-16 of 16
"The first reaction from Grizzlies fans might be to wonder why the team would simply waive Iverson if another team has interest, but there's nothing the Knicks could or would give the Grizzlies for Iverson that the Grizzlies would or should want."
You don't think they could some sort of draft pick? Even if it's like a 2nd round pick in 2018?
So he's leaving to the Grizz to go play on an even worse team? That make's alot of sense.
Chris Wallace is a (edit) "worthless bum"! I could not imagine someone being worse at their job. Thabeet, Iverson, Gasol trade, Tinsley, Randolph, etc. etc. etc. Mr. Wallace, please quit holding Grizzlies fans hostage and just get the hell out of Memphis. You want to get more people in the stands? Try a 'Punch Chris Wallace In His Inept Face Promotional Night'. I'll pay for that. This Grizzlies fan is ready to scorch the earth and start over beginning with Ms. Chris Wallace.
It does make a lot of sense actually. He will get to do what he thought he was going to do here, which is play 40 minutes as hard as he can and try to will his team to victory. What he will probably find out is that he isnt 24, but actually 34 and break down midway thru the season. Iverson, Nate, Chandler, Lee, and Galinari make a solid offensive team with no defense. Its a one year rental till they have the salary cap to sign some real players. I always thought this summer that he would sign with New York and was shocked that they or the bobcats didnt do it. Looks like what I expected to happen will indeed happen.
Oh well, there goes our championship aspirations, huh?
Jimmy you are ASSUMING that because Chris Wallace is the GM that he made those deals, when in fact it was more like a gun was pointed to his head and he was forced to make those deals (by gun, i mean he would have been fired if he didnt do them) Mike Heisley is the owner, president, gm or whatever else you want to call him. Chris Wallace has nothing to do with those trades. Had it been up to Wallace, Tyreke Evans would be wearing beal street blue.
Oh well, that's the end of that. There is no question that, despite all of his claims to be thinking of the team, AI thinks of nobody but himself. For him to throw a tantrum for coming off the bench in his first game of the season, after being injured and missing the entire preseason, is absurd. For him to sign and not even give it more than 3 days' worth of a chance, to not even give the Memphis fans a chance to see him play at home, is total crap.
However, given how completely abysmal Mike Conley has been, one has to play devil's advocate and ask--what if??? What if he did get to start or even finish games? This is a guy who, above all, wants to win. A guy who can hit the shots down the stretch, and can hit free throws down the stretch as well (something that has been lacking in Memphis since the James Posey days).
We will never know the answer. It may have been a shortsighted signing by the Grizz management, but they are even more to blame for denying us the chance to see what could have come out of it...
Looking back on A.I.'s storied and celebrated career as a Grizzly it's easy to lose sight of his tireless efforts as a community leader. It goes without saying the world will forever remember Allen Iverson as a Memphis Grizzly, but those of us who reside here will always think of him as a gentle giant; a kind and caring philanthropist who, without fail, placed everyone else's needs before his own.
Three undisputable revelations from this whole affair:
1. Allen Iverson is a jerk.
2. Lionel Hollins is a jerk.
3. Michael Heisley is an idiot.
The ultimate end came early. It is doudbful AI would have ever spent more than the 1 year in Memphis so the final result comes early which is best. Ths sad part is the missed opportunity for a FA signing that actully could have helped this team win in the short term and bulid in the long term.
It is clearly past time for Mr.Heisly to step down from his assumed role of President of Basketball Operations. Join together and demansd he step down, hire a true Basketball person to team up with Chris Wallace and Lionel Hollins to make the decisions. I wonder if Hubie Brown would take the Job of President of Basketball operations?
Doing my best Chris Farley impression:
"Hey, you remember, that time, when, the Grizzlies signed Allen Iverson, as a way to try and sell tickets, even though he never played a single home game...that was awesome!"
I have sent in my application and resume. I can be a puppet GM just as good as the next guy, for a fraction of the cost. I would have to buy a suit, but oh well.
"He will get to do what he thought he was going to do here, which is play 40 minutes as hard as he can and try to will his team to victory." - AK47
I'm not sure that Iverson's complaint was about not playing 40 minutes...at least I hope not because the Grizz training staff stated no more than 20 minutes for the week. He complained and will probably continue to complain about not starting. I can't see him starting on the Knicks either. I think a lot of teams who had "some" interest in him will use this fiasco as a bargaining chip to get him to conform to playing some form of "team hoops". I also don't think it will be successful. What's worse for Iverson is he'll have to deal with Knick fans and New Yorkers who have a far lower tolerance for player BS. We'll see how that one plays out if it actually happens.
BTW, if he doesn't make a team this year....he's done in the NBA! Teams will find it hard to believe anything he says unless somebody just wants a guy on the team that will jack up 20-25 shots a game.
This just confirms what all his records contradict. AI is a loser. He should have been a bowler or a tennis player. He has lasted this long in the NBA and he still has no idea about the business, or the concept of a team sport. It is almost unbelievable that at 34 he doesn't get it. He must be the most self-UNaware guy in sports history.
THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
Comments (16) RSS