Iverson, Grizzlies agree to part ways

[Spurs Brazil]

Iverson, Grizzlies agree to part ways

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Allen Iverson's time in Memphis is over.


Iverson

The Grizzlies announced Monday in a statement that the team has ended its one-year contract with the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP in what it called a mutual agreement. Iverson is expected to be placed on waivers by 6 p.m. ET Monday, a league source told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan.

Under the agreement, Iverson will receive only a fraction of the $3 million he was scheduled to earn. If he clears waivers, he will become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday night.

"The Grizzlies and Allen Iverson have come to a mutual agreement that because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team on Nov. 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time, allowing him to focus on those matters," Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace said in a statement. "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."

Iverson has been on a personal leave of absence for 10 days. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley had told Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, earlier Monday that team wanted to know soon whether Iverson would play or retire, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on its Web site.

In three games since returning from a hamstring injury, Iverson averaged 12.3 points and 3.7 assists in 22.3 minutes as a reserve.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4661327

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

:lmao :lmao

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

And to think the Nuggets got Billups for this clown :smokin

[Pistons < Spurs]

WojYahooNBA

(Marc) Spears and I are running out of teams to ask about A.I. Not even one "Maybe" yet. Or, "We'll look into it." Just flat "no's" and "hell no's"

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

on a serious note, i hope nothing too major is going on in his life.

[Pistons < Spurs]

And to think the Nuggets got Billups for this clown :smokin

:bang:bang:bang:bang:bang:bang:bang

[ginobili's bald spot]

I think we need more threads about this.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Anyone buy his jersey yet? :smokin

[djohn2oo8]

:lmao Grizzlies....

[djohn2oo8]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2009/sk20090912a1a.jpg

[adidas11]

Shocker....

[Indazone]

I could see him in H-Town but only coming off the bench for Brooks. He could start for Bobcats

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

MJ will sign him. Brown can start him and keep him in line.

AI/Sjax/Diaw/Wallace/Chandler

That's a top eastern team right there :smokin

[djohn2oo8]

i could see him in h-town but only coming off the bench for brooks. He could start for bobcats

lol, no

[Morg1411]

If Bobcats don't take him, no one will. And I suspect they don't want him.

[xtremesteven33]

sad....

[JamStone]

So for his HOF induction, will he be rocking the Grizzlies colors?

Charlotte has to be the only place that might even consider him, but that's still probably a long shot.

There's always this:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/burrakan/autografos/deporte/HarlemGlobetrotters.jpg

[endrity]

I think this is it for Iverson in the NBA. Unless there is some serious personal problem, but solvable in the future, which forced this decision no team is gonna take a chance on him. I mean, you can't be any more desperate than the Grizz were, and if they decide to part ways with you than that's it.

It's just a sad way for a player I once adored to go out.

[The Franchise]

It would be funny if it wasn't such a bitch move. Fuck Iverson. :flipoff

[The Franchise]

I could see him in H-Town but only coming off the bench for Brooks. He could start for Bobcats

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/Alvin1969/Silly%20pics/YBD.jpg :lol

[Xylus]

New Orleans should pick him up. What's the worst that could happen? :lol

Imagine a CP3-Iverson backcourt.

[DUNCANownsKOBE2]

New Orleans should pick him up. What's the worst that could happen? :lol

Imagine a CP3-Iverson backcourt.

Kobe can and he's licking his chops.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

AI, you've tarnished your legacy enough. Just retire already.

[Findog]

The "personal problems" are this guy can't get over himself and swallow his pride and come off the bench for the Grizz. It's funny, he could've sucked it up, played well against opposing team's second units and gotten himself traded to a contender in February. He thinks he's owed a starting job? Nobody owes you shit, AI.

[benefactor]

The "personal problems" are this guy can't get over himself and swallow his pride and come off the bench for the Grizz. It's funny, he could've sucked it up, played well against opposing team's second units and gotten himself traded to a contender in February. He thinks he's owed a starting job? Nobody owes you shit, AI.
:tu

[Findog]

Manu Ginobili and Jason Terry both seem to grasp the fact that it's more important to be a closer than a starter. And both those guys are usually on the floor for their teams in crunch time.

[Indazone]

Even Michael Jordan came off the bench for the Wizards near the end of his career. AI just needs to suck it up and play.

[RedsLakers24]

I Rather have Iverson come off the bench than Farmar or Sasha....GO GET HIM MITCH

[Indazone]

I think AI cannot possibly be that much of a bonehead. If he played for a contender, he'd come off the bench. The possibility of a ring trumps everything.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

AI backing up Kobe. I can see it now :lol

[superbigtime]

Maybe Boston swoops him up Marbury style. The league without AI? Just weird.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

oh wait, but then he wouldn't get any minutes. I still don't think it would be a good idea for anyone to try and play him as a PG

[Austin_Toros]

The "personal problems" are this guy can't get over himself and swallow his pride and come off the bench for the Grizz. It's funny, he could've sucked it up, played well against opposing team's second units and gotten himself traded to a contender in February. He thinks he's owed a starting job? Nobody owes you shit, AI.

yep. by "personal problems" he means his "personality problems"

[iggypop123]

the reason he is pissed its not only would he come off the bench he wouldnt play starters minutes. terry and ginobli are not good examples, they play starters minutes

[21_Blessings]

on a serious note, i hope nothing too major is going on in his life.

Mid-life crisis, basically.

Iverson watched, from the bench, as Kobe passed him on the all-time scoring list. And then quit.

[21_Blessings]

I Rather have Iverson come off the bench than Farmar or Sasha....GO GET HIM MITCH

Yes because Iverson has shown a willingness to come off the bench.

[Danny.Zhu]

Why didn't Grizzlies trade him to Lakers? I'm shocked.

[SenorSpur]

And to think the Nuggets got Billups for this clown :smokin

You guys made out like bandits. However for the record, I think the Nuggets were big fools for ever having traded for the guy in the first place and thinking HE would be the key to a championship drive.

[SenorSpur]

Just to clear things up though, even the guy who told me about AI wasn't too sure. I'd stick to that theory for the next few days. If nothing comes out about the "personal problems" then I will just assume that the personal problems were with the Memphis organization and not Iverson's personal life. But I do remember in Philadelphia if Iverson was involved in anything his Mom had her two cents to put in.

luSDKBcA2so

[Pistons < Spurs]

Donnie Walsh confirmed that the Knicks are interested in signing Allen Iverson once the guard clears waivers.
http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/62827/20091116/walsh_confirms_interest_in_iverson/

[duncan228]

Iverson Could Resurface With Contender (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-iversoncouldresurfac&prov=tsn&type=lgns)
SportingNews

Three games in, and that’s it for the experiment that brought Allen Iverson to Memphis. The Grizzlies gambled that Iverson was prepared to be a mentor to its group of primarily young players, but an injury, followed by public disappointment about his bench role, drove Iverson to accept a buyout from the team on Monday. In three games, Iverson averaged 12.3 points and 3.7.

Now, the larger speculation begins. Those three games might be Iverson’s last, and if they are, then one of the great little players in the game’s history will have bowed out in a rather ungracious manner. Iverson is a 10-time All-Star and a former MVP, but he has shouldered much of the blame for torpedoing Detroit’s season last year and the Grizzlies flameout does not help his already iffy reputation. If Iverson had handled himself well in Memphis, he might have sparked interest from a contending team, allowing him to finish with a chance at a championship.

There’s still hope for that. “I wouldn’t count anything out,” said one Eastern Conference general manager. “Check back in January, February. The Celtics signed Stephon Marbury last year despite all the problems he had in New York. If someone is really hurting for depth, you’d have to at least consider him.”

[Darrin]

I can't wait till it says: "Iverson, NBA agree to part ways."

[Indazone]

AI might actually fit in well with the Lakers. He's better than the sorry guards they got now.

[RedsLakers24]

a bench of Iverson and Odom would be strong

[Indazone]

Iverson could start for the Lakers. Probably better than both Farmar or Fisher. But if AI goes to the Lakers it would be another travesty like the Gasol deal.

[duncan228]

Iverson hopes to resume NBA career (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=mc-iverson111609&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)
By Marc J. Spears

Allen Iverson fully intends to resume his NBA career, preferably this season, his personal manager told Yahoo! Sports on Monday night.

Iverson reached an agreement on Monday to part ways with the Memphis Grizzlies after previously taking a leave of absence from the team. He is expected to clear waivers in a couple of days and become a free agent.

“There is absolutely no doubt that he still wants to play,” said Gary Moore, Iverson’s personal manager. “There should be no doubt in anyone’s mind. He will be working out every day until he hears from someone.”

A New York Daily News report said the New York Knicks would explore possibly signing Iverson. Team president Donnie Walsh wasn’t committal, telling the Daily News, “We’ll look into it. Right now, I’d say probably not, but we’ll see.”

Moore has not heard anything from the Knicks, but said Iverson would be excited about playing in New York, provided the team’s interest is sincere.

“That’s one of his favorite places to play,” Moore said. “He loves [Mike] D’Antoni’s style of play. He’s always had respect for Donnie Walsh since his days in Indiana. We’d be elated if that is true.

“We don’t want to jump the gun. … But that would definitely be of interest. That would work family-wise with him having family in Philly and his wife having family in New York.”

The Grizzlies allowed Iverson to leave the team on Nov. 7 to attend to some personal matters. His departure, however, also came directly after he had complained about his role with the team. Iverson appeared in only three games for Memphis, coming off the bench in each.

Iverson has been spending time with his family in Atlanta, Moore said. Moore thanked Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley for continuing to support Iverson through the process.

Iverson’s wife and children did not move to Memphis after previously living in his other playing cities of Detroit, Denver and Philadelphia. Moore said it was difficult for Iverson to be away from his family, which is why he would prefer to play for an Eastern Conference team.

“His spirits are very high,” Moore said. “There is nothing damaging to his spirits or anything. This time was necessary for him. God and family first, then basketball.”

Iverson attracted little interest on the summer free-agent market prior to signing a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Grizzlies. The Los Angeles Clippers initially had some interest, but balked when Iverson made it clear he wanted to start.

A handful of general managers and executives surveyed on Monday expect most teams to pass on trying to sign him. Moore said although no team has yet to reach out to Iverson, the 34-year-old guard is focused on returning to the NBA and not playing overseas.

Moore said Iverson would even agree to come off the bench if he signs with a championship-caliber team.

“It doesn’t have to be a starting role if it’s the right situation, right circumstances,” Moore said.

[myhc]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2009/sk20090912a1a.jpg

OMG :rollin

[Indazone]

Iverson to the Knicks still doesn't make them a contender. They still need better three point shooters.

[TDMVPDPOY]

did he just pull a page out of fishers book.....fkn lol if he signs with bobcats

[ffadicted]

Go to charlotte iverson, pair up with Jackson and create some offense in that team, cuz god knows they need it

[baseline bum]

Moore said Iverson would even agree to come off the bench if he signs with a championship-caliber team.

“It doesn’t have to be a starting role if it’s the right situation, right circumstances,” Moore said.

Bullshit. The Pistons were coming off an ECF trip where they played Boston tough and could reasonably have been considered contenders last year.

[bdubya]

"Personal problems" = "Can't extricate head from ass"