Grizzlies interest high-scoring veteran guard Allen Iverson - 籃球

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Grizzlies interest high-scoring veteran guard Allen Iverson

Former All-Star an uncertain fit in salary, philosophy
By Ronald Tillery (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Friday, July 3, 2009


All-Star guard Allen Iverson has through representatives told the Grizzlies
he would like to play in Memphis, an NBA source said Thursday.

The high-scoring veteran is a free agent for the first time in his
professional career. Iverson, 34, reportedly has only had mild discussions
with the Miami Heat since the free agency period began Wednesday.

The Grizzlies had no comment about Iverson's inquiry.

While no deal is imminent and conversations have been only exploratory, Griz
brass are said to be weighing the pros and cons of adding Iverson to the
team's youth movement.

Iverson would certainly have to take a major pay cut from the $21 million he
earned last season with Detroit. It is believed that the Griz would only
entertain Iverson at what they'd deem a reasonable price, and if the 13-year
veteran agreed to play off the bench.

Those criteria would seem to make Iverson and the Grizzlies a bad fit.

Iverson had a problem being a reserve with the playoff-bound Pistons and even
said he'd prefer to retire before becoming a bench player. A somewhat
mysterious back injury ended Iverson's season April 3.

Iverson wrote about his free-agent status Thursday on Twitter.com.

"I'm a Free Agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team,"
Iverson said. "My only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what
I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night! Someone
that knows how to best utilize my skills to make our team the very best that
we can be."

It is unknown what amount of money Iverson is seeking or what the Grizzlies
would be willing to pay.

Iverson's scoring ability and mass appeal are indisputable -- he has always
been a sellout draw in Memphis. He played in 57 games for the Pistons last
season and averaged 17.4 points and 4.9 assists.

The Griz still need backcourt scoring punch and a reliable ballhandler in
reserve. Iverson, a former league MVP, has averaged 27.1 points in his career.

If talks progress, the Griz could have an offseason in which they make
significant upgrades in the backcourt and on the front line.


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