AI: "I'm not a sixth man"

[Allanon]

Does anyone remember back in the day, when Iverson first announced he wasn't a bench player? It was back when he was with Philly, and I think coming off an injury, and the coach wanted him to come off the bench, and he balked. I remember him listing his accomplishments off as evidence of why he wasnt going to come off the bench.

Not long after, Tim Duncan, infinitely more accomplished than AI ever was, came off the bench while coming off an injury. I think he made some comment about doing whatever the coach thought was best (and I THINK he included a little something directed at AI, but that might be my imagination). Either way, it was the most direct rebuke of another NBA player's conduct I've ever seen from TD, and I loved it.

I only partly remember this story because I remember Duncan doing it. And I think you may be right, he might have taken a jab at AI but it's been awhile and maybe I'm imagining it as well.

[Allanon]

As far as the Grizzlies go, I'd rather Conley start over AI. AI is a lot more potent, but at least Conley has some sort of idea on how to run an offense. And with Mayo, Z-Bo, Gay, and Marc starting, there's barely enough shots to go around.

The actual start doesn't matter to me as much as the minutes. Conley is better at running the point. But AI is far more effective than Conley, especially in close game situations. Simply put, Conley blew it last night in the crunch.

If he doesn't start AI, I think Lionel Hollins is going to make a compromise with AI and give him 30 minutes but have him come off the bench. Kinda pleases AI, Conley is happy to not lose his starting gig and the Grizz will win more.

I think the failure last night was Conley playing in the crunch.

[quentin_compson]

This is just a sad case.

AI is a good player, but at 34, he obviously still hasn't understood the game he plays.

True franchise players like Duncan, Jordan or Shaq are guys you can build a team around. The only time Iverson ever went to the finals was when they put together a team that had to cover his weaknesses back in 2001.

He never understood that you have to sacrifice as an individual to gain team success. It is telling if not surprising that he complains after one (!) single game with the Grizzlies about coming off the bench.

[senorglory]

On his neck there is a Chinese character "忠", which means loyalty.

It might as well say 'irony.'

[senorglory]

I don't know that I disagree with him. He went 5-9 in 18 minutes. If he had gotten the 36 minutes Mike Conley got he probably would have had more than the 13 points Conley did, and Memphis might have had a better chance at winning.

That's not really the problem though. The problem is that he's carping against the coach and the system already, and that his comments appear to have been made to show up his teammates (who may or may not have been freezing AI out during the final seconds of the game).

After the game, Iverson had no problem stating matter-of-factly and loudly – just so everyone in the locker room could hear, including starting guards Mike Conley(notes) and O.J. Mayo(notes), who was seated next to him – that the Grizzlies would need to make a change if they continue to lose. Specifically, they’d need to start him.

***

With 1.4 seconds left in regulation and the game still tied, Hollins put Iverson back on the floor.

In the past, Iverson would have been almost certain to take the final shot. Instead, Zach Randolph(notes) threw away a bad pass to send the game into OT while Iverson stood alone in the corner, unguarded.

“I went to the bench and told my teammates that I didn’t think they knew I was in the game,” Iverson said. “They didn’t. They didn’t even think I was in the game and that was a bad thing. I was like, ‘Man, I was wide-open.’

[Manu'sMagicalLeftHand]

He's following Latrell Sprewell's footsteps.

Memphis will be fun to watch for all the wrong reasons. They'll need like twelve simultaneous basketballs, six footballs, four bats and a couple of pucks to satisfy the shooting desire.

[duncan228]

Grizzlies owner: Hollins is in charge
ESPN.com news services

Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins has made it clear that Allen Iverson is still coming off the bench, despite the player's complaints about being utilized as a reserve -- and his owner is backing him.

Iverson was unhappy with his non-starting role earlier this week, saying Monday after the Grizzlies lost in Sacramento that he's "not a sixth man," according to The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley made it clear Wednesday, however, that Hollins will make that decision, the newspaper reported.

"Lionel will handle it," Heisley said, according to the report. "This is a situation that'll be handled between Lionel and Allen. What Allen said was inappropriate, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it. Allen expressed his frustration about not playing and I understand that."

"It's up to the coach to handle these issues," Heisley added, according to the report.

On Monday, Iverson, who missed the preseason and the start of the regular season because of a hamstring injury, played 18 minutes in a loss to the Kings and made headlines after the game when he complained about his diminished role.

"I had no problems [with the hamstring]. I had a problem with my butt sitting on that bench for so long," Iverson said, according to the Commercial Appeal.

"I'm not a bench player. I'm not a sixth man," he continued. "Look at my résumé and that'll show I'm not a sixth man. I don't think it has anything to do with me being selfish. It's just who I am. I don't want to change what gave me all the success that I've had since I've been in this league. I'm not a sixth man. And that's that."

In Wednesday's 113-105 loss at Golden State, Iverson was again in a reserve role but saw more time, playing 28 minutes. He scored 18 points and passed the 24,000-point mark for his career, becoming the 16th player in NBA history to do so. He scored six of his points in the first half during a 17-0 run that gave Memphis an early lead.

Hollins said Wednesday that Iverson's minutes will increase from game to game, but cautioned that he's still fitting him into the backcourt rotation with Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo. Hollins did not say whether Iverson would start in the future, according to the Commercial Appeal.

"There's no way we're making a change right now," Hollins said, according to the report.

[Indazone]

You are now AI

[760Spursfan]

It's one thing to be young and a dumb-ass, but to be an old dumb-ass, that's a completely different thing.

+1

This is what happens when everyone around you keeps telling you
"you da man, caint nobody touch you, look at cho stats...you "the answer"

I think he is lucky that the Grizzles even picked him up because I don't think anyone was interested in him because of his at ude.

[Chillen]

Someone needs to tell AI that he is a grown man and he should act like it. That means accepting whatever role your team wants you to have, it's called team loyalty. This guy just doesn't get it.

[SenorSpur]

If AI keeps up this act, I would expect the Grizz to waive his ass, at some point this season.

[duhoh]

If AI keeps up this act, I would expect the Grizz to waive his ass, at some point this season.

i hope so.

[Culburn369]

Just don't waive him before tomorrow evening.