Heisley sees Memphis Grizzlies as last resort for Allen Iverson - 籃球

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Heisley sees Memphis Grizzlies as last resort for Allen Iverson

By Ronald Tillery (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Monday, July 13, 2009


LAS VEGAS -- Allen Iverson likely won’t play in Memphis unless he runs out
of better options.

At least that’s the gut feeling from Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, who is
pursuing the four-time NBA scoring champion in free agency. Heisley and Griz
general manager Chris Wallace have each spoken with Iverson’s agent, Leon
Rose, on several occasions.

The Griz are prepared to add Iverson for one year at $5 million.

So why hasn’t a deal been consummated, given that Iverson apparently has few
suitors and none stronger than the Griz?

“I think we’re in a fall-back position,” Heisley said. “I know everybody
is getting all worked up about whether we’ll get him but it’s not my
decision to make. It’s Leon Rose and Allen’s decision. But I can tell you we
’re not the No. 1 choice. I think it would probably be Miami. It you were
Allen Iverson, wouldn’t you like to go and play with Dwyane Wade?”

Miami and Charlotte reportedly are the other teams interested in the 13-year
veteran. The Heat are said to be reluctant to offer Iverson more than $2
million for one season despite Iverson wanting the $5.8 million mid-level
exception and Wade’s public lobbying.

Heisley, though, sounded convinced that money won’t be the driving force
behind Iverson’s decision.

Perhaps Iverson’s projected role with the Grizzlies has as much to do with
why he’s been reluctant to commit. In recent newspaper interviews and on his
Twitter account, Iverson still talks about retiring before he’d become a
reserve.

Heisley reiterated that Iverson must come off the bench for the Griz.
Interestingly enough, Iverson and Griz shooting guard O.J. Mayo share the
same agent.

“Allen is motivated to have a great year,” Heisley said. “He would be a
real factor for us. But if he comes to us he’d have to understand that he
would be playing on the second team. We need him to really add scoring punch
to that group.”

But don’t color Heisley overly optimistic about landing Iverson.

“This isn’t from Iverson or his people. But I think if he can play with
Dwyane Wade, that’s where he’d like to be,” Heisley said. “That’s where
Allen would like to go and probably should go.”


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