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A pair of new Memphis Grizzlies — you’ve heard of Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph? — were introduced to the Memphis media Monday afternoon at FedExForum. Iverson, it should be noted, wore a headband to the press conference. The season, it would appear, cannot start soon enough. A few highlights:
Randolph, on joining such a young roster: “It’s gonna be good. Coach [Lionel Hollins] is going to put us in the right spots, and we’ll work it out. It’s gonna be good.”
Iverson, on a team needing an attitude to succeed: “It’s definitely important. The most important thing is having an identity. How are we going to play, night in and night out? Give the fans something to expect, from game to game. For me, it’s playing hard every night, whether or not you win. You can feel good about yourself as a player, and as a team.”
Iverson, on body language: “It comes from leadership. Once you see bad body language, you’ll get bad results. This is something I’ll be concentrating on in training camp and throughout the season: good body language.”
Iverson, on teaching from experience: “It’s just believing. It’s easy to stereotype a squad, once you’ve been losing for a while and get accustomed to losing. You start to believe everything that people say about you, and your confidence level goes out the window. You get used to losing. The most important thing is believing in yourself, believing in your teammates and the coaching staff, and fans coming out to support you.”
Randolph, on closing the gap in a tough Western Conference: “Coming out every night, giving 100 percent. Listen to the coaches, chemistry, moving the ball, and focusing on the defensive end. We have a lot of scorers; if we can get the chemistry right, I think we can surprise a lot of people.”
Iverson, on leading a team with very little experience: “That’s the fun part about it. Usually, I’ve been the young guy on the squad; now, I’m the veteran. I have a bigger voice than I’ve ever had before, doing the things I’ve done in my career. I get a chance to lead guys places they’ve never been before, and to give them something they’ve never had.”
Iverson, on handling losing streaks: “You have to take things one game at a time. Don’t concentrate on what happened before. Concentrate on this game, right now, what we have to accomplish. I’ve been on losing squads and I’ve been on winning squads. If things don’t go your way, it’s easy to become a losing team.”
Iverson, on donning a Grizzlies uniform and playing in Memphis: “It’s God’s will. That’s the way it goes. You get obstacles, and you have to overcome them. Obviously, He wouldn’t give them to you if He didn’t believe you can. It felt good to put on the uniform, mostly because I got my number [3] back. I feel like myself again.”
Randolph, on learning of Iverson’s signing with Memphis: “It was great. I’ve known him a long time. To get an All-Star, one of the best players in the game ... it’s a good move.”
Randolph, on a season of redemption and proving his critics wrong: “I’ve always had to prove people wrong, so it really isn’t a surprise. It’s time to win. You know, I haven’t won since Portland [in 2002-03], so whatever it takes. Sacrifices will have to be made.”
Iverson, on his decision to sign with Memphis being “personal”: “I think some people took it wrong when I said it was personal. I meant getting back to being me again, having fun. Last season wasn’t fun for me, it wasn’t fun for my family and fans. Having fun on the basketball court, giving it everything I have, and being appreciated.”
Iverson, on criticism: “There’s always going to be something. I understand that; that’s who I am. I don’t care how many records I break, or what I accomplish individually. All my incentives in my contract are team-oriented goals, and that was important to me. If we don’t win and I score a lot, then I’ve scored too much. If we don’t win and I don’t score that much, then I haven’t scored enough. It’s a lose-lose situation. The only way I can think of to shut everybody up is to win.”
Iverson, on Randolph’s game: “He can do anything on a basketball court. He’s going to give you ten [points] and ten [rebounds] waking up in the morning. His game is so different because he’s big, and can take the ball outside. And he plays with his heart. That’s what I respect the most. Believing in himself.”
Iverson, on potential for a “train wreck” season: “I wouldn’t think people are crazy for feeling that way. People will have their opinion, and they’ll voice their negative opinion before saying anything positive. Negativity sells more than positive. And that should bring a lot out of us, to prove the nay sayers wrong.”
Randolph, on the rest of the Grizzlies roster: “I see a lot of talent. We’ve got some young guys. O.J. [Mayo], Rudy [Gay], Marc [Gasol]. But we can surprise a lot of people. Coach Hollins is going to be tough on us. He’ll keep it real. We’ve got to put it all together.”
Iverson, on the Grizzlies being underrated: “It’s hard to win in this league. Without chemistry, it’s not going to happen. When I went to the Finals [in 2001], I thought I’d be going back two or three more times. But the chemistry wasn’t there. You’ve got to have everyone on the same page, with the same ultimate goal. You’ve got to have a lot of unselfishness.”
Iverson, on the development of young players: “When it comes to young athletes, all your life you haven’t had anything, then all of a sudden you’re a millionaire, and you get a bunch of yes-men around you, telling you your stuff don’t stink. You have people telling you everything you want to hear. You’ve got the girls, the fame. So winning isn’t really that important to you, because you have so many things that you never had before. It’s enough to just be playing in an NBA basketball game. Even with me, my first couple of years, we didn’t win, but I was Rookie of the Year, and I got to play against Michael Jordan. But after a while, you see teams making it to the next level, and you see the playoffs are a whole different game. You want to solidify yourself as one of the greatest players. The only way is to win basketball games.”
Iverson, on the Grizzlies’ captaincy: “That’s something I want, something I want to accomplish. I just want to lead. I want to be something people think I can’t be. Having young guys following my lead. Seeing me do it the right way.”
Iverson, on coming off the bench: “I’ve never looked at myself as a sixth man. Never envisioned myself as a sixth man. Never heard of Allen Iverson as a sixth man until last year. Yes, I can [be a sixth man]. Honestly, that’s not something I want to do. I’ve been a starter my whole life. On the basketball court, I pretty much can accomplish anything.”
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And yet, Allen . . .
If you are willing to come off the bench, it will be the ULTIMATE sign of leadership. Assuming of course, that Hollins determines that's the best way to use your talents. But for you to say what you just said, and be willing to SACRIFICE your own will . . .
THAT will send a POWERFUL message to your teammates. If you want to be the leader, you at least have to be willing to fulfill that sixth man role.
Besides, who among us doubts that you will be in the game during the closing minutes of a close game?
to l3e...
fair enough, but i think it would be a mistake to bring ai off the bench. i believe the best player on the team should start AND finish, especially if the team is legitimately trying to win. i feel like there is too much emphasis in general about "developing for the future". i think it's a very good idea to develop players, but i think too many teams these days take that to mean that young players should start before they are ready. and i don't see the sense in that. i don't recall in all my years watching the nba, such an emphasis on "development" and not on winning, until the past few years. personally, i think winning is more important to the development of young guys than starting, especially if the young'in is not ready; learning how to win rather than learning losing. winning is what the fans want; it will generate revenue; it will attract free agents that want to win; and it is (should be) the goal of any professional team...you play to win. i hear statements all the time from media pundits and rebuilding franchises such as "you don't want to mortgage the future...". well, what about the present? planning is one thing, but it doesn't make sense to give up the present for the future either, especially since you can't predict it. further, the future never pans out the way you expect it to, if you do ignore the present. What happens, for instance, if a young'in is forced into a starting role and doesn't progress because he only learns losing? what if the young'in does develop, but chooses to go somewhere else that is about winning, instead of development, when his contract is up? some things to consider...
i think mike conley is a good player, but i'm not sure if he is ready to be a starter in this league. i think an AI - OJ backcourt would be best. they can both handle the rock, play point, and score. conley can then develop in his own time, instead of being forced into something he's not ready for.
Good points, Fan . . . I'm all for winning, and all for fielding the most competitive team we can. Just to expand on a few points . . .
My point had to do with leadership and the necessary sacrifices one makes for group successes. I'm sure we'll find out by the season opener (if not before) who has EARNED the starting job (I don't think Hollins is just going to hand the keys to Conley). My point is that if his teammates KNOW he wants to start (and they do), but watch him submit to Hollins' leadership . . . those guys will play their hearts out for Hollins and Iverson. It would be the ULTIMATE "lead by example" that someone of Iverson's stature could do to unite the team and short circuit any chemistry issues before they arise.
As for the pure basketball logic of it, I can see the logic of bringing Iverson off the bench. The starting lineup got a big offensive boost with Zach Randolph joining the squad and of course, Conley improved in the second half of the season. To me, it's more a question of fit. Of course, both Conley and Mayo will have to work harder if they want to keep their starting jobs -- that can't be bad.
If Iverson comes off the bench, he brings instant offense, an instant momentum swing, and an instant shot of adrenaline for the crowd at FedEx Forum. Not to mention that our second unit could use some scoring, and AI's job would be to do just that. Perhaps most importantly, no matter what anybody says, Iverson's continued career will depend on him being willing to be a sub. PERIOD. That's why we got him in the first place -- because nobody else wanted him unless he fit into that role. So if he wants to play past this year . . .
Finally, this quiz: Quick: who was the starting SG for San Antonio last year? Heck, I dunno. It was either Michael Finley or George Hill. But guess what? Manu Ginobli is still Manu Ginobli -- even as sixth man. And he FINISHED games.
I don't think anyone would question Iverson's importance to the team as a sixth man. And given the way the city's already embraced him, I don't think he should either.
All that said, I return to my previous statement: As far as Hollins is concerned, if Iverson wants to start, it's up to him to take the job. Likewise, it's up to Conley and Mayo to keep it. Either way, it's good for the team.
thinking of Allen Iverson coming off the bench is a mistake, how can iverson lead from the bench, iverson can make plays put pressure on the d, what if u play som one like the lakers or spurs or with good O u have to put iverson in the game quickly to help score the ball, why cause conley can't make those plays u relay too much on 2nd year mayo, zach jammed up,rudy would force a bad shot, , conley would have to create off the dribble, thats not his game, QUESS what check allen in to save the day, now what do that do for conley confidence zero, allen iverson is far from a 6th man he is a allstar with a godgiven talent, Detroit tryed the bench thing with allen it didnt work why cause he is not the sixth man type,Mj was 40 an still started, thats a insult to injury an a losing season to start iverson on the bench, let conley watch from the bench an learn from allen, if memphis couldnt win with conley at the point last year, whats so different, if detroit would of kept allen at the point they would of won more games, matter fact they had won there best games with him at the point gave LA there first lose last year, Cavs there second loss last year, memphis if you want to win Allen at the point, but um sure lionel hollions knows that already thats why he said all postions were open at training camp, Nuggets would of went deeper in the playoffs in 07 with allen but they played the lakers, why cause new orleans forfitted that game agest the mavs, oh yeah the the western cof was a 50+ conference that year never in history that as happen, anyone that played the lakers in 07 was losing in the west,if denver played in the first round with billups last year agest the lakers they were going to lose, i forgot they lost in the western champ game, denver won 52 games last year with billups, they won 50 games with allen, with a injuryed denver nugget team k mart was off a knee injury, nene had medical problems, akins was injured the whole season, melo caught a DUI charge that made things really hard far as a team image, JR came along at the end of the season, allen still managed to help lead with what he had, allen is going to show everyone this year that he is no sixth man or fade out legend you memphis fans is going to get a true warrior thats going to lead by example get ready for excitement memphis allen going to show u i been watchin AI for 13 years I watched alot of his games through Nba league pass so I know, he didnt play half of the season really so he is very fresh get ready! ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE
Memphis yall want to win for a couple of years AI will give it to you. just let him play his way, don't force the issue BELIEVE ME
ONE LOVE
I love the fact that our team now has both potential and present offensive firepower, something that has been severely lacking in the recent past. But, I am VERY worried that while, the team the past few years has not been filled with any kind of urgency and was content in underperforming night in and night out, now we have a team full of individuals with everything to prove. Iverson is out to prove he can still play at a high level. Rudy is in a contract year. Mayo has to show he can avoid the sophomore slump and continue to live up to the hype. Randolph has to prove that he can do more than just put up an empty 20 and 10. Conley will be out to try and show that his number 4 draft position was not a big mistake and that he CAN be a big-time PG. The only guys I am not worried about trying to force anything are Marc and Thabeet, because Marc is a team-first guy and I'm pretty sure Thabeet is aware that he wasnt drafted for his offensive prowess. God, I just hope Hollins can figure it all out, put people in the right positions with the right minutes and avoid any major personality clashes. Otherwise, this will be the same old song and dance of losing 60 games, just with a different cast.
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