Iverson sits out Grizzlies’ season opener

Oct 28, 7:43 pm EDT

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)—The Memphis Grizzlies will have to wait a while longer for the debut of veteran guard Allen Iverson(notes).

Iverson, the Grizzlies’ highly publicized free-agent signing, was listed as inactive Wednesday night for the season opener against his former team, the Detroit Pistons.

Iverson is still recovering from a partially torn left hamstring he sustained early in the preseason. When an MRI revealed the tear on Oct. 7, the initial scheduled return was Wednesday’s opening night.

But Iverson has been unable to practice while rehabilitating the injury and was not game ready.

“He’s starting to work with us in a non-contact aspect, so that’s a positive,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. “That makes me feel good that it won’t be long.”

Iverson, who is entering his 14th season, signed with the Grizzlies on Sept. 10. The four-time NBA scoring champ is the biggest name ever to join the franchise, and his arrival has created a buzz for the team and the city.

The signing also raised questions regarding who will start. Mike Conley(notes), the Grizzlies’ first-round draft choice in 2007, is the incumbent at the point, but Iverson balked at coming off the bench last season in Detroit.

With Iverson on the shelf, Conley was expected to start against the Pistons, while Marcus Williams, an offseason signee who played nine games last season with Golden State, backed up Conley.

Updated Oct 28, 7:43 pm EDT
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12 Comments

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  1. Steven
    12. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 10:09am EDT

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    go to cleveland ai.
  2. tony s
    11. Posted by tony s Thu Oct 29 12:04am EDT

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    Delusional iverson fans. philly dumped him, yes, dumped him. so did denver & so did detroit. the dude is the ridicule for every rookie. his peers are playing for contenders & laughing at him also. iverson has been, continues to be & always be the little self centered, ghetto loser. hey memphis, did you guys buy your tickets, wave hi to a.i on the bench,lol. believe me, your team is better off with him not playing. look at his history & learn.
  3. James
    10. Posted by James Wed Oct 28 11:38pm EDT

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    why would anybody count the pistons out. they'll get a number 8 at least, very possible they get a fourth or fifth seed. and the cav's have no chance in hell, they lost keuster and their offense is just strictly Lebron James again. Shaq's just a solid big man now days. the Cav's still will probaly take the central, but the chicago bulls are definately not gonna make the playoffs. If the Pistons start focusing on defense, then they could have a championship in less than three years.
  4. Eric
    9. Posted by Eric Wed Oct 28 11:33pm EDT

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    Unfortunately A.I will never get a championship as a great player he is. He should ask a trade to go to the Spurs and retired after that
  5. Kcks
    8. Posted by Kcks Wed Oct 28 10:54pm EDT

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    Memphis uniform is so sick
  6. <i>supermanllaca</i>
    7. Posted by supermanllaca Wed Oct 28 9:23pm EDT

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    what the great @#$% u smoking iverson isnt the same no more he's not the same iverson we remembered in philadelphia and on top of all that memphis has a slim chance in @#$% hell to make it to the playoffs specially in a lakers spurs hornet mavericks owned conference all those teams including the warriors play harder than those trio of @#$%ots
  7. M-$HEA
    6. Posted by M-$HEA Wed Oct 28 9:19pm EDT

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    CORRECTION: We're beatin the hell outta a good "Philly" team and Iverson will lead them to some wins, but they prolly won't make the playoffs. Don't make fun of an already down team either KB24, if YOUR BELOVED LAKERS were 0-12 to start the season and lost as bad as some of these programs on the rise, you wouldnt like comments like that either.

    -GO MAGIC!

    2010 NBA CHAMPIONS!
  8. M-$HEA
    5. Posted by M-$HEA Wed Oct 28 9:16pm EDT

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    "KB24". You don't get it man. The Celtics killed lebron last night and the magic are beatin the @#$% out of a good memphis team with a healthy brand. Get real! NWO! Go Magic!
  9. <i>e_mac41</i>
    4. Posted by e_mac41 Wed Oct 28 9:12pm EDT

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    hey KB24, wheres the Jazz in your western conference prediction? the rockets at 6?? I dont know how you arrived at that conclusion.. HAHA!
  10. D-Man
    3. Posted by D-Man Wed Oct 28 8:55pm EDT

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    Good list KB24, but don't be shocked if the Rockets drop out and the Clippers sneak in.
  11. KB24
    2. Posted by KB24 Wed Oct 28 8:43pm EDT

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    memphis will never make the playoffs this will be a preview
    1.Lakers
    2.Spurs
    3.Blazers
    4.Nuggets
    5.Mavs
    6.Rockets
    7.Hornets
    8.Suns
    For Eastern
    1.Cavs
    2.Celtics
    3.Magics
    4.Bulls
    5.Hawks
    6.Wizards
    7.Heat
    8.76ers
    Nd Ima Laker Fan GO Lakers
    Kobe Is guna Get HIS 5th RING
  12. <i>jeam_iyz</i>
    1. Posted by jeam_iyz Wed Oct 28 8:25pm EDT

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    AI is sick..he will turn memphis into a playoff contenders this season and will beat the lakers come playoff time..
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