Iverson to Memphis

by Chris Alvino on September 9th, 2009 at 10:41 am

Marc Stein of ESPN.com follows twitter.

“Allen Iverson announced Wednesday morning that he is indeed joining the Memphis Grizzlies.

Via his Twitter feed, Iverson wrote: “God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career.”

Referring to a Monday meeting with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins, Iverson added: “I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them.”

The Grizzlies are believed to be offering Iverson a one-year deal for $3.5 million, which is far less than the nearly $21 million he earned last season in Denver and Detroit but far more than anyone else was prepared to pay the 34-year-old.

Grizzlies officials did not immediately confirm the signing but have made it clear that they have merely been waiting since last week for Iverson to take their offer.”

I guess Twitter is the new Worldwide Leader in Sports.

Good for Iverson and good for Memphis.  I hope Iverson comes out this year and explodes for 25 ppg and the Grizzlies win 35 games.  For a team coming off a 24 win season, Memphis can sure use the extra talent boost.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • HaS

    BiggleLittles will be crushed.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    I was just looking through the free agents for 2010, and i noticed something. I don’t think it’s going to be ALL about getting either 1 or 2 max players. There are going to be a lot UFA’s who are very good, established veterans. Players like Ray Allen, Camby, even Ginobli, who would be incredible complements to a guy like LeBron (championship complements in my opinion) but that won’t be asking anywhere near the max; they probably won’t even make 10 million.

    What if we somehow clear off JJ and Curry. We could then literally make offers to LeBron, Camby, Ray Allen, and Ginobli all together if we wanted to.

    Or we could try to Sign LeBron and Bosh, and see if Ray Allen will take the MLE.

    Imagine Allen, LeBron, and Bosh. That would be insane.

    I know these are pipe dreams, but my overall point is that we will probly be going after cheaper veterans (a higher level than grant hill) next summer as well as prime talent. Those are the types of pieces that you absolutely have to have to win a ring, no matter who your star is.

    BTW, bosh is not a softee. He may be slightly lanky, but he is so much more agressive than A’mare. Just look back to the ’08 olympics. Remember how they would take dwight out after 5 minutes and let bosh run the 5 for the rest of the game because of how much he was beasting everyone on both sides of the court? That performance that summer sold me on bosh.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    Toney Douglas
    Ray Allen/Lebron/Chandler
    LeBron/Chandler
    Galo/Chandler
    Bosh/Hill

    Whoever plays pointguard in that lineup is guaranteed to become amazing.

    That’s my new fantasy lineup. it also makes me realize why we may keep nate, but definitely not Lee. If Lee is going to be making around 8 million a year, for money like that we could bring in a veteran just outside his prime like Ray Allen or marcus camby, both of whom, at least for a couple years, are far more valuable complementary pieces than david lee. Of course, if we are thinking LONG term, and not just the few years after lebron gets here, that might change our stance.

    But i still think there are other young pieces out there who can be had for significantly less than lee for a long term contract, and will end up being better complements to a guy like lebron in the long run. (Nate?)

  • Jeff Cykiert

    i’m bored sorry

  • Chris Alvino

    I am not as high on Bosh, but I know what you are saying about the other free agents.

  • bmathews77

    Whatever happened to Patrick Ewing Jr?

  • HaS

    There’s already 3 Small Forwards on the roster, Chandler, Al Harrington (best position), Galinari (his best position I would think, plus he can’t guard 4′s at this point with that bad back.), so I doubt Pat Jr. is in the forseeable future plans right now. Although I’d love it if he were, I think he could turn into a defensive stud and nice finisher on the break.

  • HaS

    I’d pay Bosh what _avi_ thinks he’s worth. I’d make that trade in a heartbeat too btw, not that it is a real option lol. The Raptors would be nuts to not hang up on Walsh at that proposal.

  • Its The Kid

    The Hornets really could have used A.I the way they used to have Pargo gunning you telling me Iverson wouldnt have added a great scoring punch… And energized their fan base… They might have been the best fit…

  • bmathews77

    Memphis has a really interesting team. Not sure if it will accomplish much but it has the potential to be somewhat competitive. I predict about 35 wins.

    Zach Randolph
    Rudy Gay
    Marc Gasol
    Allen Iverson
    OJ Mayo
    Mike Conley Jr.
    Darrel Arthur

  • CircleLimit4

    Grizz have a lot of offensive weapons but I’m not sure how shots will be distributed. I wonder if they will attempt to keep Gay next season. They’ll be an interesting team to watch, that’s for sure.

  • BiggieLittles

    NOOOOOOOOO
    DONNIE LET THE BEST OPTION FOR THE KNICKS THIS SEASON SIGN WITH THE GRIZZ…

    I guess donnie has faith in t.doug.
    Well atleast I get to see t.doug hopefully get some burn an hopefully danillo mario doesn’t get hurt again.

    Well the season is 7 weeks away.

  • Chris Alvino

    Yeah they do have an interesting team. A lot of scoring. I am very curious to watch them play. I hope it goes well for them.