The main reason why Iverson didn’t like Memphis was that the team planned to use him off the bench. He came off the bench in each of the three games and averaged 12.3 points and 3.7 assists in 22.3 minutes per game.

With Memphis building around the backcourt of OJ Mayo and Mike Conley, a starting spot wasn’t going to open up for Iverson. Now Iverson will either have to find another team willing to give him a chance or call it a career.

While the 34-year-old is obviously very talented, his dedication to team play is extremely questionable. At this point of his career, he’d best be used off the bench. That said, Iverson has always said he doesn’t like coming off the bench.

What will happen next?

Stay tuned.

Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies have divorced (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Allen Iverson Leaves the Memphis Grizzlies

Thabeet was injured during the first half of Tuesday night’s game when his jaw collided with teammate Zach Randolph’s head. The 22-year-old Thabeet had just entered the game a minute prior to the collision. The 7-foot-3 center out of UConn was the second overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft.

Image: Zuma Press

So far this young season, Thabeet has averaged 6.8 minutes per game and tallied six total blocks in six contests. Memphis was 1-6 entering Tuesday night’s game — last in the Southwest Division.  At this time, it’s not known how much time Thabeet will miss.  Some players have been able to come back from a broken jaw after a couple weeks, playing with their jaw wired shut.

Post from: EveryJoe

Rookie Thabeet Breaks Jaw

There were also rumors circulating that “The Answer” is frustrated and discontent with his new reserve role for Memphis. Iverson is used to being the star and the go-to player. He’s not used to coming off the bench in a supporting role.

Allen Iverson is considering retiring after 14 seasons in the NBA.

But this is the way it is, and Iverson isn’t the player he used to be.  Somehow,  his selfishness and ego have always managed to get in the way of his success and it’s the main reason why Memphis was the only team who expressed interest in signing him in the off-season. Terrible teams will take risks on players with poor personalities. Look at Terrell Owens.  After he left Dallas, his lack of production and off-putting personality hindered his chances of signing with a playoff-caliber team. Instead, he landed in Buffalo where his numbers are shaping up to be the worst of his NFL career.

Iverson is in a similar situation. But rather than suffer through what is sure to be a disappointing NBA season, he’d rather call it quits.

It’s a shame that he has to go out like this.  But unfortunately,  “The Answer” has run out of answers.

Image:  Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson Contemplating Retirement

If Iverson does indeed miss three weeks, it’ll be a close call if he’ll be ready for the season opener. On October 28th, the Memphis Grizzlies begin their season with a home game against the Detroit Pistons.

Iverson has said that he’ll take his time getting healthy to ensure that this hamstring problem doesn’t continually bother him for the duration of the campaign.

Said Iverson: “My whole thing is to work as hard as I can to try and get back to 100 percent. I don’t want to try and come back too early and have this thing lingering on throughout the whole season.”

Entering his first season with the Grizzlies, it’ll be interesting to see if this injury makes Iverson more likely to come off the bench. Either way, it’s bad timing because his teammates won’t be able to build much chemistry before the start of the season.

Will Allen Iverson be healthy enough to play against his former team (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Allen Iverson Injury Update – Hamstring

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have a lot of good, young pieces — namely Al Jefferon and Kevin Love — but it’ll take a few years before this squad is ready.

4. Milwaukee Bucks
After basically giving away Richard Jefferson and let Ramon Sessions, the Bucks just don’t have enough talent to compete right now.

3. Memphis Grizzlies
Allen Iverson in Memphis should sell tickets. That said, the Grizzlies have a chance to be really bad this year if Iverson doesn’t mesh with his teammates.

2. New Jersey Nets
The Nets are in an ownership transition and without Vince Carter to lean on, fans in New Jersey better get ready for lots of losses.

1. Sacramento Kings
Last season, the Kings had the worst record in the NBA. This year, it should be more of the same.

Kevin Martin and the Kings face a long season (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Worst NBA Teams – Power Rankings

On Twitter, Allen Iverson (@allenIverson) explained: “I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on tomorrow, along with his staff. I want to help them develop a winner.”

The 34-year-old Iverson has had trouble finding work this summer after a disappointing season last year with the Detroit Pistons. In 36.5 minutes per game in 54 contests with the Pistons, Iverson averaged 17.4 points, 4.9 assists and 1.6 steals. He missed the end of the campaign due to a back injury.

In Memphis, it’s unclear how Iverson would be used. He has balked at coming off the bench in the past but he may have no choice with the Grizzlies. If Iverson agrees to come off the bench and lead the team’s young players by example, it may turn out to be a quality signing.

Allen Iverson to the Memphis Grizzlies (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Allen Iverson Signing with the Grizzlies?

However, with training camp just around the corner, three teams have emerged as the leading contenders for Iverson: the Memphis Grizzlies, Charlotte Bobcats and Miami Heat.

The Grizzlies appear to be the favorite at this point. On Wednesday, the team admitted that they had officially made an offer to Iverson. NBA insiders believe that the deal could be worth about $3 million per season.

Iverson has said he’d love to play for head coach Larry Brown again, which is a reason why the Bobcats are looked to as a strong possibility. The Bobcats need scoring and the 34-year-old would be a good fit.

In Miami, Iverson would team with Dwyane Wade to form one of the most explosive backcourts in the NBA. The Heat definitely have interest but they don’t have much financial flexibility to offer Iverson much money.

Stay tuned. The answer to where Allen Iverson will end up will likely come within the next week.

Allen Iverson - Where Will He End Up?

Post from: EveryJoe

Where Will Allen Iverson End Up?

On Sunday, Thabeet signed his rookie contract with the Grizzlies. He’s expected to have signed a contract worth about $7.7 million over two years.

Last year at UConn, Thabeet averaged around thirteen and a half points, almost elevan rebounds and around four blocks per game. The now 22-year-old center was regarded as the best interior defender during his time in college.

Recently, Thabeet has been playing for the Grizzlies summer league team and helped the squad go undefeated at 5-0. In those five games, Thabeet averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 25 minutes per game.

Scouts have been a bit underwhelmed with his performance in summer league but many think he’ll improve as the teammates around him improve.

Hasheem Thabeet - Memphis Grizzlies (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Hasheem Thabeet Signs with the Grizzlies

Miami Heat
In Miami, Allen Iverson would be a very interesting partner in the backcourt for Dwyane Wade. With both players able to handle the ball and score, it’d make for an exciting tandem. If the Heat are will to pay the necessary money, Iverson is likely to end up in South Florida.

Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies have been open about their wish to sign Allen Iverson to a one-year contract. Even though he doesn’t seem like a great fit, Iverson would help sell tickets and could make Memphis a fun team to watch.

Charlotte Bobcats
Larry Brown has said he wouldn’t mind coaching Allen Iverson again. If Brown is being honest, Iverson could help the Bobcats put points on the board. The fact that Michael Jordan is calling the shots could help convince Iverson that Charlotte should be his new home.

Allen Iverson Rumors and Destinations (Image: Flickr)

Post from: EveryJoe

Allen Iverson Rumors and Destinations

According to multiple reports, the Dallas Mavericks will receive Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries and Greg Buckner in the deal. As part of the trade, Marion will receive a five-year deal worth almost $40 million.

The Grizzlies will reported receive Jerry Stackhouse, Quincy Douby and approximately $2 million. The Raptors are said to be getting Antoine Wright and Devean George.

Marion is far and away the biggest name in this trade. In Dallas, Marion will likely play small forward in a starting lineup that will feature Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Josh Howard and Marcin Gortat.

With the other teams in the Western Conference stacking up with talent, the Mavs have now remained in the mix by re-signing Kidd, signing Gortat and trading for Marion.

Shawn Marion Traded to the Dallas Mavericks (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Three-Team Deal Sends Marion to Dallas