Allen Iverson’s stint with the Memphis Grizzlies: Was there something?

Allen Iverson is a legend with the Philadelphia 76ers, but the Hall of Famer also made three appearances for the Memphis Grizzlies in the fall of his career. It was a huge misunderstanding and the beginning of the end of The Answer’s career.

Some things you don’t like to get used to or you simply suppress them. This is often done with the years of Michael Jordan in Washington, also because they say little about the player who previously made the NBA a global brand and dominated his time like few before him.

Allen Iverson, while a caste or two below MJ, is not far behind the greatest basketball player of all time in terms of influence on his generation. Iverson was cool, had style, and ideally wore a Philadelphia 76ers jersey.

In 2009, however, Iverson no longer had many options, at the age of 34 his best days were numbered (even if he didn’t want to admit it himself). Due to persistent back problems, he also missed the playoffs with the Detroit Pistons, among other things.

But only AI will know how much the back really hurt. He has since returned for three games, though not as a starter, with Iverson commenting: “I’d rather retire than do it again. I can’t play effectively like that, I’m not used to it. It’s Mentally and physically very difficult for me.”

Allen Iverson: Finally glamor in Memphis

And so Iverson’s options in free agency were limited. After more than two months without a contract, Iverson finally found a team, surprisingly joining the Memphis Grizzlies for a year and $3.1 million. Those Grizzlies who made the playoffs just three times in 15 years, winning 22 and 24 games most recently.

The Grizzlies were in the midst of a rebuild but were a young, up and coming team with youngsters like Mike Conley, OJ Mayo, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol. In the summer, Zach Randolph also came via trade from the Clippers, but he still had a questionable reputation.

And how did Iverson fit into this puzzle? Actually not at all. Conley and Mayo were the designated backcourt. It seemed clear that Iverson would remain just the sixth man. Rather, this commitment was a wish of then-owner Michael Heisley, as co-commentator Pete Pranica later said Complex betrayed.

Like Iverson, he once attended Georgetown University, and the ten-time All-Star was expected to draw more attention to the small franchise. “You felt like Memphis had arrived as a franchise in the NBA,” recalled Pranica.

There was a big press conference where Iverson appeared in a Grizzlies cap – media interest like this has never been seen in Memphis. Of course, the question of his role also came up, but Iverson moderated it – as best he could: “Mainly I want to take on a leadership role in this team. I was in situations that the young players don’t even know. I want to help them to achieve it.”

Allen Iverson in Memphis: Three games, three losses

This meant, of course, playoff games and victories. Up to this point, the Grizzlies hadn’t won a single postseason game. “Why can’t we hit a deep run in the playoffs?” asked GM Chris Wallace. “We’re here because we want to take the team to the next level.”

Trouble was, Iverson was barely in sight. The former MVP didn’t play in the preseason due to a hamstring injury, and fans only saw their new star at one open practice session, which Iverson didn’t get a chance to participate in.

Iverson only made his debut in the fourth game of the season, in Sacramento AI scored 11 points in 18 minutes coming off the bench. The Grizzlies lost 116-127 in overtime and things were brewing, anyone who followed Iverson’s PK after the game could tell. “I didn’t have any problems with my thigh,” said AI. “I had a problem with my butt having to sit on the bench for so long.”

And then things got awkward when asked if he should start the upcoming games. For Iverson, that wasn’t really a question: “It doesn’t matter what guard position, whether the one or the two,” said the Hall of Famer confidently. The problem: Conley and Mayo sat to his left and right, occupying those starting spots.

Despite these statements, nothing changed for Iverson. The Grizzlies lost at Golden State (it was the first NBA win for a rookie named Stephen Curry) and the Lakers, and Iverson had to settle for his bench role.

And then it was over again.

Allen Iverson: His stats for the Memphis Grizzlies

Allen Iverson: Retiring and Retiring from Retirement

The next day, when Grizzlies sideline reporter Rob Fischer was in the elevator at the LA hotel with backup center Steven Hunter, he revealed that Iverson was gone. Simply that way.

The Grizzlies listed Iverson as absent for the coming days – for personal reasons. What nobody knew at the time: Coach Lionel Hollins, a man of the old school, known for his team’s clear identity with a penchant for defense, had given Iverson an ultimatum. Either the 34-year-old would accept the bank role or leave the team. Iverson chose door two.

A week later, the contract was finally terminated and Iverson ended his career a little later to point out in a statement again that he still had the feeling of performing at the highest level. A little later followed the withdrawal and 25 more games with Philadelphia and another short interlude at Besiktas in Turkey. Then it was finally over.