http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?STORY_ID=14220
That Didn't Take Long: The Memphis Grizzlies took the Sacramento Kings into overtime last night, a night in which everything Kings' guard Kevin Martin threw at the rim seemed to go in. While Martin put up a monster 48-points on 14-of-27 from the field, including 7-of-10 from three-point range to seal the Kings' first win in overtime, the game also marked the return and regular season debut of Grizzlies' guard Allen Iverson.
Iverson played an unremarkable 18 minutes last night and didn't look terrible despite sitting out most of the pre-season; in fact he really looked motivated to be a pass first player in his limited time on the floor.
After the game Iverson, who had taken criticism all summer for his stance on playing from the bench said his injured hamstring was not bothering him at all, but the limited minutes he got last night did.
"I had no problems (with the hamstring)," Iverson said to Matt Steinmetz of AOL Fanhouse. "I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with."
"I'm not a reserve basketball player," Iverson said to Marc J Spears of Yahoo!. "I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. That's something for the media to talk about. It's only a big issue when the media talks about it. The subject never came up in my career until everything happened in Detroit. No one talked about me being a sub or anything like that until last year.
"In all the other years of my career, it's never come up. I've been a starter on All-Star teams, Olympic teams and NBA Finals teams. It's just a big deal now. I think it is something people should let go. To answer your question, no, I'm not a bench player or the sixth man. Go look at my resume, it will show you that I'm not a sixth man."
"If we're winning, I can play 10 minutes and I'm happy," he said. "When we're losing, that's when I trip out."
"If we're winning games with me in that (reserve) role, I would be a (jerk) for fighting that," Iverson said soon after pointing out: "I came off the bench and we still lost."
Grizzlies' head coach Lionel Hollins pointed out that Iverson has missed a lot of time with this team and for now, like it or not, Iverson is going to play with the second unit.
"He hasn't even been with the team until just a couple of days ago," Hollins said. "He's going to come off the bench. He hasn't played all preseason, hasn't played the three regular-season games (leading up to Sacramento). He only practiced three days in training camp before he got hurt so there's no way I would trot him out there in a starting role."
"As the season develops, roles develop," Hollins said. "Sometimes roles get defined that you have to be willing to accept. We didn't expect A..I. to miss eight preseason games and three regular-season games, either. So we'll play it by ear and see what happens. Allen can score and his instincts will take over. Right now, he'll be great with the second unit."
The 1-3 Grizzlies head to Golden State for a matchup with the Warriors on Wednesday then travel to LA for a weekend matchup with the Lakers on Friday and Clippers on Saturday.
considering he basically didn't play in the 4th and OT he has a reason to voice concern with how Hollins is using him.
why is lionel hollins coaching the grizzlies again? How many times can one team fire a head coach?
Memo to AI: Charles Barkley has quite a resume but I don't think you would want him even on your rec league team at this point. You were a better player 3-4 yrs ago than you are now. You took the money to play for a loser because there was no one else who wanted you. Therefore, you need to just be quiet and be a solid player off the bench.
Lionel Hollins is no worse than many of the clowns coaching in the NBA. He is just cheaper.
AI isn't the only one who should be ticked off. Hollins basicallly ignored his bench last night.
AI, for better or worse, is a guy who knows how to win and knows how to take AND make the big shot...to not play him when it mattered is an insult to everyone - AI, the fans, the players, the rest of the staff...
I agree with AI on this one. We need a leader on the floor and the guy knows how to win. Its not like this wasn't expected - the Grizzlies knew his history, but put the man on the floor. I never understood why Hollins was hired either. I've never been a LH fan and never will.
I remember last night's game when they both had Mayo and Iverson running the point and the offense flowed well. But when Conely came in it kind of sputtered. The starting five should be Gasol, Randolph, Gay, Mayo, and Iverson.
It dosent make since for one of the best players on the team to be on the bench while Conley is out there but what have the griz done lately that made since
(11-03-2009 10:47 AM)memp600 Wrote: [ -> ]I remember last night's game when they both had Mayo and Iverson running the point and the offense flowed well. But when Conely came in it kind of sputtered. The starting five should be Gasol, Randolph, Gay, Mayo, and Iverson.
Amen...those are your best 5 players and they should be starting!
No kidding. I agree with Iverson 100%. No way he should have been sitting on the bench late in the fourth quarter and in OT. When Conley threw up that shot in the lane and got rejected in OT, I just shook my head. When Iverson first came in the game, our offense kind of went downhill but understandably so. I mean he hadn't played in a game in so long and he was coming off a hamstring injury. The man was rusty. Hollins yanked him after 3 minutes. When he came back in, things looked SO much better than before. He was directing guys on the floor and running actual plays. He was playing with confidence, something Conley lacks. It's really frustrating watching Mike because sometimes he makes brilliant plays. He's so quick, he can get in the lane whenever he wants to. The problem is, he rarely does. You can't be a point guard in the NBA and play with 0 confidence. No confidence in late game situations is killer.
not saying AI is wrong overall...but it only took 1 game for the whining to start. ONE FREAKING GAME!
he's coming off a hamstring injury. if he'd been able to practice through the preseason, maybe he'd have beaten Conley out of the job. he didn't/couldn't do it. he's got to show up and win the job.
The last time I checked, AI was signed with a promise of helping the Griz get a winning season and possibly a play-off spot. How can he fulfill his promise if he is benched during crunch-time?!?! LH needs to get fired...AGAIN!!!!
Some of you are thinking of AI from 1999. And how exactly is he a winner? He went to one NBA Final. Denver was mediocre while he was there, Chauncey comes in and Denver is one of the best teams in the NBA.
I will give Mike Conley is bordering on bust but AI has already crossed-over to the has-been side of life.
When the Grizz were building the 14 point lead Iverson was not in the game it was Conley. When Iverson came in the lead disappeared quickly.Just sayin.
(11-03-2009 11:20 AM)marktheapostle Wrote: [ -> ]Some of you are thinking of AI from 1999. And how exactly is he a winner? He went to one NBA Final. Denver was mediocre while he was there, Chauncey comes in and Denver is one of the best teams in the NBA.
I will give Mike Conley is bordering on bust but AI has already crossed-over to the has-been side of life.
Did you watch the game last night? I'll take the "has been" Iverson over "dribble around in a circle and waste shot clock" Conley any day of the week in the clutch.
(11-03-2009 11:28 AM)tigerjohn Wrote: [ -> ]When the Grizz were building the 14 point lead Iverson was not in the game it was Conley. When Iverson came in the lead disappeared quickly.Just sayin.
And I pointed that out in my first post and explained why it happened and why it got better when he came back in the second time.Just sayin.
(11-03-2009 11:28 AM)tigerjohn Wrote: [ -> ]When the Grizz were building the 14 point lead Iverson was not in the game it was Conley. When Iverson came in the lead disappeared quickly.Just sayin.
Hey, don't go using facts around here. You'll only confuse them.
We just lost to the KINGS!!!! The, by far, WORST team in the NBA.
Allen Iverson doesn't give a crap about trying to build up Conley or about the three year plan, etc.... He is here to win. There was a spurt in the 2nd half where he took over. He went 3-4 with two easy baskets and a three. I admit, before that, he seemed a bit rusty, but when that happened, I was banking on him playing 90% of the rest of the game.
Instead, I got to watch Iverson on the bench at the end of regulation and most of overtime.
I understand this is one game and we shouldn't start saying Hollins should be fired, especially considering we have a new group of guys trying to gel and we are playing a muuuuuuuch more entertaining form of basketball...
Before this game even started, I figured Hollins would slowly work in Iverson off the bench for four games tops, then he'd start. Now, I'm not sure if Iverson, the fans, and maybe even the rest of the team will be able to wait three more games...
For the record, I'm not an advocate of AI starting. I believe he would be best used as the primary scorer off the bench. If you take Conley out of the starting line-up and replace him with AI, no question your starting line-up is one of the most offensively skilled in the game at every position, but your bench is left with Conley, Young, Carroll, Hunter, Thabeet. None of those are really the kind of explosive sixth man we need. All I was saying before is that in late game situations, Iverson needs to be in the game over Conley.
I'm with Iverson on this one. We needed him in the game late last night.
Hollins will learn soon that AI needs to be starting and playing 90% of the game. He's a leader and veteran that was needed at the end of the game last night, instead Conley got taken to the basket and game went to overtime in which the kings dominated...
Conley had six assists and two turnovers in 36 minutes.
AI had one assist and two turnovers in 18 minutes.
AI hasn't played in a while, and its obvious that he's still rusty. Let him earn his playing time because he hasn't done it yet.
Gotta agree with AI. 11 freakin minutes? And he scored almost all of the bench points.
AI plays little or no defense, so his offensive skills are somewhat negated.
uh, the entire Grizzly roster doesn't play defense...
(11-03-2009 05:16 PM)GermantownTiger Wrote: [ -> ]AI plays little or no defense, so his offensive skills are somewhat negated.
Uninformed post of the day. I will take 30 points a game with average defense from a player all day long.
(11-03-2009 05:26 PM)TigerPhan Wrote: [ -> ] (11-03-2009 05:16 PM)GermantownTiger Wrote: [ -> ]AI plays little or no defense, so his offensive skills are somewhat negated.
Uninformed post of the day. I will take 30 points a game with average defense from a player all day long.
You'd need a time machine to take you back to 2006–07 to get that.
You play to win the game. I can't believe he took A.I. out in the fourth quarter. I don't know about anyone else but the game was a lot more exciting to me when Iverson was in there. You need him out there to be a leader and to hit shots when you need a bucket.
But I guess that does not matter if the other team is going to score 120 every night.
Screw what AI thinks or says. He is not the same player he has always been. He is a 6th man and thats what he should continue to be. He needs to stop running his mouth...or get out of town...even tho no other town wants him either.
if you put Conley against AI, I'd take AI 10 out of 10 times...that should make it simple enough to understand. Even at his advancing age and declining physical abilities, he is still the better option every time...especially in clutch situations.
(11-04-2009 03:26 PM)HoopDreams Wrote: [ -> ]if you put Conley against AI, I'd take AI 10 out of 10 times...that should make it simple enough to understand. Even at his advancing age and declining physical abilities, he is still the better option every time...especially in clutch situations.
The problem is that basketball is a game of five on five not one one one.
I'd take Conley, with AI off the bench.
and you lose to the Kings doing so...
(11-04-2009 04:35 PM)HoopDreams Wrote: [ -> ]and you lose to the Kings doing so...
You'd lose even more with AI jacking up 30 shots a night with Randolph, Mayo, Gasol, and Gay looking at him wondering why he won't pass the ball.
where did I say give him 30 shots? I'm simply saying you play a guy like AI in clutch time...he's better than Conley, more experienced than Conley and used to those situations...
If I'm not mistaken, it was Rudy Gay who hit the clutch shot to tie it at the end of regulation.
(11-03-2009 09:09 AM)jgardne Wrote: [ -> ]why is lionel hollins coaching the grizzlies again? How many times can one team fire a head coach?
Knowing Heisley, he'll start hiring former Vancouver coaches next. He probably has Brian Hill on his short list.
Then, we can start firing former Vancouver Grizzlies coaches.
(11-04-2009 04:56 PM)the other Greg Childers Wrote: [ -> ]If I'm not mistaken, it was Rudy Gay who hit the clutch shot to tie it at the end of regulation.
That would be Zach Randolph.
(11-04-2009 10:35 PM)tiger08 Wrote: [ -> ] (11-04-2009 04:56 PM)the other Greg Childers Wrote: [ -> ]If I'm not mistaken, it was Rudy Gay who hit the clutch shot to tie it at the end of regulation.
That would be Zach Randolph.
Rudy hit the 3 to tie, Z-bo the fadeaway to take the lead. Conley gave up the layup to Beno "Uder" Udrich (see Verno for the nickname).
I think Greg said it best, let it play out. I am for AI starting, although as someone said above, who scores off the bench? If you set the rotation right, one of Rudy, Mayo, AI, or Z-Bo are in at all times, so you always have a scorer in.
(11-04-2009 10:35 PM)tiger08 Wrote: [ -> ] (11-04-2009 04:56 PM)the other Greg Childers Wrote: [ -> ]If I'm not mistaken, it was Rudy Gay who hit the clutch shot to tie it at the end of regulation.
That would be Zach Randolph.
Rudy hit the shot to tie it. Zach hit the shot to go up by two. They then tied us to put it into OT where Conley singlehandedly caused a -6 point swing.
Dam, chris webber just checked the hell out of memphis on TNT. Webber, barkley and ernie were discussing AI's complaints. Barkley said AI was wrong. Webber said AI was too good of a player to play at memphis. Barkley responded that memphis was the only one who wanted him. Webber says "well, maybe it's time to leave then Chuck, because......they aren't going to make the playoffs. Let's be honest. Why would one of the greatest guards to ever put on shorts (which is not true) and a 20,000 + scorer want to go there? I'd rather him go play for the globetrotters ! " .....ouch
Anyways, Webber blamed memphis for thinking AI would come off the bench. It's true that AI won't accept coming off the bench. This is why i never wanted him here among other reasons too. While the grizz were pursuing him, they told everyone that AI knew he would play a role and possibly off the bench. But when he had his press conference, he told everyone then he has always started and didn't see anything being any different. Suddenly, i wasn't hearing the grizz say he would be a role player. They seemed more content that he would sell tickets.
The deal is done now. The grizz can do two things. Start AI and hope for the best. Or keep doing what they are doing and he'll become very unhappy. Far as i'm concerned, it's heisley's problem to solve. Heisley is so all- knowing about basketball and all. (sarcasm on)
Other than retirement, AI does not have much leverage because no other team believed his diminishing skills is worth the baggage.
(11-05-2009 08:30 PM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote: [ -> ]Dam, chris webber just checked the hell out of memphis on TNT. Webber, barkley and ernie were discussing AI's complaints. Barkley said AI was wrong. Webber said AI was too good of a player to play at memphis. Barkley responded that memphis was the only one who wanted him. Webber says "well, maybe it's time to leave then Chuck, because......they aren't going to make the playoffs. Let's be honest. Why would one of the greatest guards to ever put on shorts (which is not true) and a 20,000 + scorer want to go there? I'd rather him go play for the globetrotters ! " .....ouch
Anyways, Webber blamed memphis for thinking AI would come off the bench. It's true that AI won't accept coming off the bench. This is why i never wanted him here among other reasons too. While the grizz were pursuing him, they told everyone that AI knew he would play a role and possibly off the bench. But when he had his press conference, he told everyone then he has always started and didn't see anything being any different. Suddenly, i wasn't hearing the grizz say he would be a role player. They seemed more content that he would sell tickets.
The deal is done now. The grizz can do two things. Start AI and hope for the best. Or keep doing what they are doing and he'll become very unhappy. Far as i'm concerned, it's heisley's problem to solve. Heisley is so all- knowing about basketball and all. (sarcasm on)
Webber doesn't even know when it's appropriate to call time outs.
The only reason the Grizzlies brought AI in was to add scoring to the bench. If he doesn't like it, he can retire because no one else wanted him.
(11-06-2009 12:12 AM)the other Greg Childers Wrote: [ -> ] (11-05-2009 08:30 PM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote: [ -> ]Dam, chris webber just checked the hell out of memphis on TNT. Webber, barkley and ernie were discussing AI's complaints. Barkley said AI was wrong. Webber said AI was too good of a player to play at memphis. Barkley responded that memphis was the only one who wanted him. Webber says "well, maybe it's time to leave then Chuck, because......they aren't going to make the playoffs. Let's be honest. Why would one of the greatest guards to ever put on shorts (which is not true) and a 20,000 + scorer want to go there? I'd rather him go play for the globetrotters ! " .....ouch
Anyways, Webber blamed memphis for thinking AI would come off the bench. It's true that AI won't accept coming off the bench. This is why i never wanted him here among other reasons too. While the grizz were pursuing him, they told everyone that AI knew he would play a role and possibly off the bench. But when he had his press conference, he told everyone then he has always started and didn't see anything being any different. Suddenly, i wasn't hearing the grizz say he would be a role player. They seemed more content that he would sell tickets.
The deal is done now. The grizz can do two things. Start AI and hope for the best. Or keep doing what they are doing and he'll become very unhappy. Far as i'm concerned, it's heisley's problem to solve. Heisley is so all- knowing about basketball and all. (sarcasm on)
Webber doesn't even know when it's appropriate to call time outs.
The only reason the Grizzlies brought AI in was to add scoring to the bench. If he doesn't like it, he can retire because no one else wanted him.
fruck Webber...dude never won any championships and he needs to shut his trap.
^ I can of like c webb though he can piss me off from time to time. However what he is saying is how many feel about the grizz organization whether we like it or not. C webb can't call a timeout at the right time, but he can get totally screwed out of a chance to make the nba finals and handled it with class considering how royally they were screwed. C webb and the kings were a fun team to watch back in the day.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/BeyondtheArc...-a-clipper
Why Iverson isn't a Clipper
Posted by Chris Herrington on Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears has an interview with Allen Iverson today and also includes this nugget about why Iverson did not sign with the Los Angeles Clippers this summer:
A.I. almost a Clipper?
Iverson can ponder what might have been when the Grizzlies visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Back in July, the Clippers seriously contemplated offering him a one-year contract paying up to $4 million so he could be a “Vinnie Johnson-type” player, a source with knowledge of the talks said. Denver Nuggets assistant Tim Grgurich, who was considered for a job on Mike Dunleavy’s staff over the offseason, also strongly recommended Iverson to the franchise.
The Clippers, however, were concerned about how Iverson’s addition would affect the development of second-year shooting guard Eric Gordon, along with other chemistry issues. The Clippers cooled on the idea after Iverson told Dunleavy in a phone conversation that he would have a serious problem with coming off the bench.
The possibility of signing Iverson became a dead issue once the Clippers acquired guard Sebastian Telfair and swingman Rasual Butler. But had A.I. been fine with coming off the bench, he could very well be with the Clippers now.
There are a couple of bits of relevant news here: One is that the Clippers intended to use Iverson in the "super sub/instant offense" role I've written about. The other is that the Clippers organization clearly discussed this role with Iverson, found out he would not be willing to accept it, and thus did not sign him.
You know it's getting bad when your organization makes the Clippers look professional by comparison. If the Grizzlies had visions of using Iverson in this kind of role — and based on Michael Heisley's public comments published this summer in the Commercial Appeal, that seems to be the case — then why didn't they broach this subject with Iverson in direct terms? And if they didn't have an intent of bringing him off the bench, then why didn't they let Iverson, the team, and everyone else know they intend to start him when he's fully integrated into the team?
Leaving things vague and taking a "we'll see what happens" approach is a recipe for trouble, which should have been apparent from the outset. I've criticized Iverson for his post-game comments after his first appearance, and I think that criticism is warranted. But the real fault here lies with the Grizzlies organization.
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Remember they told us he would accept coming off the bench before they signed him, but in his press conference, he seemed like he wanted to be the starter. He said that day he started for every team since he was 8 years old or something like that. My guess is they never said that to him at all about coming off the bench.
He will never be happy. I wonder if we can trade him for someone that cares.
(11-06-2009 07:38 PM)tmoneyinmphs Wrote: [ -> ]http://www.memphisflyer.com/BeyondtheArc...-a-clipper
Why Iverson isn't a Clipper
Posted by Chris Herrington on Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 3:11 PM
Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears has an interview with Allen Iverson today and also includes this nugget about why Iverson did not sign with the Los Angeles Clippers this summer:
A.I. almost a Clipper?
Iverson can ponder what might have been when the Grizzlies visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Back in July, the Clippers seriously contemplated offering him a one-year contract paying up to $4 million so he could be a “Vinnie Johnson-type” player, a source with knowledge of the talks said. Denver Nuggets assistant Tim Grgurich, who was considered for a job on Mike Dunleavy’s staff over the offseason, also strongly recommended Iverson to the franchise.
The Clippers, however, were concerned about how Iverson’s addition would affect the development of second-year shooting guard Eric Gordon, along with other chemistry issues. The Clippers cooled on the idea after Iverson told Dunleavy in a phone conversation that he would have a serious problem with coming off the bench.
The possibility of signing Iverson became a dead issue once the Clippers acquired guard Sebastian Telfair and swingman Rasual Butler. But had A.I. been fine with coming off the bench, he could very well be with the Clippers now.
There are a couple of bits of relevant news here: One is that the Clippers intended to use Iverson in the "super sub/instant offense" role I've written about. The other is that the Clippers organization clearly discussed this role with Iverson, found out he would not be willing to accept it, and thus did not sign him.
You know it's getting bad when your organization makes the Clippers look professional by comparison. If the Grizzlies had visions of using Iverson in this kind of role — and based on Michael Heisley's public comments published this summer in the Commercial Appeal, that seems to be the case — then why didn't they broach this subject with Iverson in direct terms? And if they didn't have an intent of bringing him off the bench, then why didn't they let Iverson, the team, and everyone else know they intend to start him when he's fully integrated into the team?
Leaving things vague and taking a "we'll see what happens" approach is a recipe for trouble, which should have been apparent from the outset. I've criticized Iverson for his post-game comments after his first appearance, and I think that criticism is warranted. But the real fault here lies with the Grizzlies organization.
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Remember they told us he would accept coming off the bench before they signed him, but in his press conference, he seemed like he wanted to be the starter. He said that day he started for every team since he was 8 years old or something like that. My guess is they never said that to him at all about coming off the bench.
agree with all of that. Heisley wanted to siugn him so tell him anything and let Hollins who didn't want him to work it out. i can her the tha-thump of the bus running over Hollins after Heisley threw him under it.
But, now that he is here, he is better than Conley, so throw him out there.