NBA - Sports Rumors

Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:14 am EST

Iverson retiring?

By Mark J. Miller

“AllenDisgruntled vet Allen Iverson(notes) has disappeared from the Memphis Grizzlies' bench, which is likely the for the best for the short term since those younger players don't need to learn how to pout so early in the game.

Iverson has let the team know he wants to be spending more time on the floor during games but there just aren't enough minutes in the game to distribute to the aging Iverson. Now he's left the team but the owner Michael Heisley is saying that the absence has nothing to do with the disagreement and it's a totally separate personal matter, according to ESPN.

"I'm not going to get into the personal reason but it has nothing to do with the other stuff," Heisley said. "I'm the guy who said he could go. It's a real family issue that I don't think should be reported."

Of course that family issue could be the Iversons getting together to talk about Allen's lack of playing time.

It remains to be seen whether Iverson will simply separate from the team personally. The problem for him is that there don't seem to be any teams that will bring him onboard and start him. And obviously that doesn't sit well with him.

So the word on the street now is that Iverson is considering retirement, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Source: ESPNNew WindowMemphis Commercial AppealNew Window

Related: Allen Iverson, Memphis Grizzlies

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67 Comments

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  1. Andrie
    1. Posted by Andrie Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:18 am EST

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    AI needs to retire early before he makes himself worse than he's already been.
  2. G's up cowhoes down
    2. Posted by G's up cowhoes down Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:32 am EST

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    Why do we have to read stupid articules like this. Why would yhe grizz, sign a player like this in the first place. and dont start him on one of the worst tems. in the league.
  3. u already know!
    3. Posted by u already know! Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:40 am EST

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    It looks like he is smoking a cigarette. AI dont retire he is the only reason I would attend a game in Memphis. He is still the BEST pound per pound player. He should be playing the 1 and not the 2 for Memphis. Connley should come off the bench. They are not playing him correctly as usual in Memphis.
  4. Anton
    4. Posted by Anton Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:52 am EST

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    I think he has yet to come to terms with who he has become. He still thinks of himself in the ranks of Kobe, Dwade, Lebron, Melo, etc. but he isn't anymore. He is not as good defensively as he was before, he scores but you need more than that and he does not seem to have any interesting in integrating himself into a team's system because he is so used to being the guy who the coach surrounds with talent. You put any elite player on any other team and they will start automatically but it is more than their ability to score. It is also compromise too, which Allen lacks seriously. Being a sixth man is the best he can do now since all he will do is stop the ball and score for himself. He needs to get with the program and realize he cannot carry a team by not helping his teammates be better or retire.
    And for you nut-huggers who will call anybody a hater for criticizing Iverson, try looking at the man for once and not just his name.
  5. dagoldeneagle
    5. Posted by dagoldeneagle Mon Nov 09, 2009 7:57 am EST

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    the fall of iverson since 2008 is the result of constant bashing by the media and a concentrated effort by the media, david stern, and other decision makers to boot him off the league. iverson's larger than life presence hinders stern's vision of a kobe vs. lebron james league.
  6. dagoldeneagle
    6. Posted by dagoldeneagle Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:00 am EST

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    if they did it to him, they could do it to anyone.
    they're trying to make him look like a role player and a loser even though he had his most efficient season in 2008. with detroit, they tried to ruin his rep by forcing him to come off the bench. is anyone telling elton brand, gilbert arenas, ,baron davis, shaquille o'neal, carlos boozer, and vince carter to come off the bench?
  7. Anton
    7. Posted by Anton Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:32 am EST

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    #5 - How does the media affect Iverson's on-the-court game? His best season was when Philly made it as close to the finals as they would have ever gotten with Allen Iverson. After Philly, Iverson went downhill from there. The Nuggets traded him for a reason. Pistons only signed him because of an expiring contract. And it has nothing to do with the media or any other person you are blaming. There are many players that have bad media attention. Kobe had it - from the rape case to him being said to be selfish - but look at him now.
    You can live your illusions all you want but Iverson is no threat to Stern's Kobe vs. Lebron. And you fail to understand the style of different teams and Allen's unwillingness to adjust to that team's style. Stop worshiping him. There is nothing with wrong coming off the bench. Look at Manu - one of the best in the league.
  8. sam spade
    8. Posted by sam spade Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:42 am EST

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    I said last week that it was only a matter of time before they sent him home. the Grizz were stupid to sign him. However, they did the right thing by sending him home sooner rather than later. good bye A I
  9. MARK
    9. Posted by MARK Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:00 am EST

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    AI deserved to start in Memphis and he played well in the limited time he was afforded. I agree wholeheartedly with dagoldeneagle's assessment. From the air-brushing of Iverson's tattoos years ago from an nba magazine, to Iverson's statements about not wanting to be Magic, or Bird, or Jordan, the League brass has had issues with hi,. Just 2 years ago in Denver he was 26ppg and 7assists....His game hasn't fallen off much at all truthfully. Shaq's game has fallen off but there's not some second rate center starting ahead of him....same can be said for Vince Carter, Baron Davis, Ray Allen......this is all political.....If I were Iverson I'd retire too before playing 20 mins a night behind Mike Conley...Are you freakin' kiddin' me!...All this stuff about not being a team player is blah, blah, blah because people can't separate their personal feelings for the man from his basketball talents. Iverson is not what he was, but that's still better than over half this league. If I'm AI, I quit....maybe a contender like the Cavs will pick him up, or Orlando.....
  10. sam spade
    10. Posted by sam spade Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:18 am EST

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    He doesn't want to play anymore. If a coach told you that he would give you 15 or 20 minutes in a NBA game; you take it because you love to play. You don't care if it's starting or off the bench. The coach is guaranteeing you at least 20 minutes. By saying he doesn't want to come of of the bench, he's saying he's done playing. Simple and plain.
  11. BC
    11. Posted by BC Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:34 am EST

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    I think AI's attitude on the grizzlies is partly driven by his ego, but mostly by his competitive nature. The Grizzlies are sucking, they are 1-6 and just lost to the Clippers. Conley isn't performing anywhere near as well as Iverson is. Let the man play, he just wants to win Memphis some games (and maybe stroke his ego, but wins are wins right?).
  12. rohoicramz94
    12. Posted by rohoicramz94 Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:35 am EST

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    Man please AI can still score with the best of them and he can still gaurd the point gaurd postion.He doesnt want to play shooting gaurd anymore thats all and he knows hes better than Conley and would fit perfect in Atlanta for Jamal Crawford.Atlanta has those lulls on offense where they struggle to make shots so he would fit right in.
  13. Mr Durty
    13. Posted by Mr Durty Mon Nov 09, 2009 9:37 am EST

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    I like Iverson. Great player and a true warrior, but his ego has always been a problem. Iverson feels that he is to good to come off the bench. Two names for AI.. Sam Cassel and Gary Payton.. Both came off the bench.. Both won Championships coming off the bench.
  14. Mal Tempo
    14. Posted by Mal Tempo Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:07 am EST

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    What a maroon.
  15. Cardinals
    15. Posted by Cardinals Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:31 am EST

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    He is "The Man" that should retire!!!
  16. Chris M (2009 NBA CHAMPION LAKERS!)
    16. Posted by Chris M (2009 NBA CHAMPION LAKERS!) Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:34 am EST

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    A.I. & his loyal fans need to come to grips with the fact that he is on the downside of his career and nobody wants a washed up, balling hogging, non practicing, me oriented head case on their hands. There's a reason why teams weren't lined up to sign him. He simply doesn't have it anymore and is unwilling to accept a lesser role on the team he's playing for. He still is a serviceable player and what not, but his superstar days are behind him. IMO, if he could get the right mindset, he'd be an asset to a contending team as a "Jason Terry" like sixth man.
  17. algo
    17. Posted by algo Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:43 am EST

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    grizzlies should start him (so that ego won´t deflate ) but keep his minutes down
    it´s the same thing and his career will last a little longer.
  18. AJA
    18. Posted by AJA Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:43 am EST

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    Iverson is no longer the answer but now is the example. An example of how a team pisses away 3.5 million dollars.
  19. AP66
    19. Posted by AP66 Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:51 am EST

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    Iverson off the bench would be a great spark for a second team. It's a shame he's such a douche.
  20. Daniel V
    20. Posted by Daniel V Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:56 am EST

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    For anyone saying Iverson should join a contending team and be a role player just doesn't get it. He doesn't want to be a role player, what is so hard to figure out about that?? Why would be have signed with the Grizzlies in the first place?? Last time I checked, the only 2 teams that were serious about signing him this offseason were the Grizzlies and Clippers because they, at the time, were willing to sacrifice team chemistry and letting their young core develop over getting extra ticket sales. The Clippers realized this was stupid and backed off, but the Grizzlies bit and wound up getting bitten in the @ss for their troubles. Iverson, at one time, was one of the most entertaining players in the league to watch. He brought the streetball mentality and game to the NBA and showed, with the right skills, that could work at the pro level. Now, his body is broken down from playing in pain for years and it has taken it's toll on him physically. His game can no longer back his ego up, which is what made him great. He has made it crystal clear he doesn't want to accept a supporting role, which is fine, that's his decision, but that means he just needs to walk away now, forget this season ever happened. and just retire with dignity.
  21. Hitman
    21. Posted by Hitman Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:31 am EST

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    Good riddence to one of the most obnoxious, self centered, concieted thug that we, as fans of basketball have had to suffer these many years. That's right, scumbag, since no one wants to put up with your antics anymore, just take your ball and go home. You will not be missed by anyone. As far as I am concerned, you rank right up there with Isiah Thomas and Pac Man Jones.
  22. algo
    22. Posted by algo Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:33 am EST

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    HE SHOULD RETIRE AND LOOK FOR A COACHING JOB THEN HE CAN DO WHAT HE WANTS
    if you pay me 3 million dollars a year i´ll scrub the locker room floor
  23. Loubird
    23. Posted by Loubird Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:14 pm EST

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    Who cares???
  24. m
    24. Posted by m Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:28 pm EST

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    what a bunch of idiots. everyone believes everything they read. we all can definitely who knows anything about basketball on these comments. i didnt want to comment but all these idiots out here are making me sick. who can honestly tell me that anybody on the whole Grizzlies team is better than AI? who are the grizzlies hurting by letting him start? just as it was mentioned earlier by someone who obviously knows this game, why is it that other players who are the same age and older than AI, are allowed to start and still play the game the way that they see fit? but AI has lost a step? please go and do your homework on denver, they wanted to trade Melo, but he did so good at the olympics, they decided to keep him. detroit? please how come no one on here has mentioned that even Rip came forward backing up what AI said about the situation in Detroit. people use your eyes and stop feeding of all this nonsense that the media feeds you. all i say is let the man actually play so we can see if he has lost a step. anybody who can carry all the dead weight he had on the sixers to the finals, can definitely carry this memphis team. STOP HATING ON AI, ITS SO TIRED NOW.
  25. m
    25. Posted by m Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:30 pm EST

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    what a bunch of idiots. everyone believes everything they read. we all can definitely who knows anything about basketball on these comments. i didnt want to comment but all these idiots out here are making me sick. who can honestly tell me that anybody on the whole Grizzlies team is better than AI? who are the grizzlies hurting by letting him start? just as it was mentioned earlier by someone who obviously knows this game, why is it that other players who are the same age and older than AI, are allowed to start and still play the game the way that they see fit? but AI has lost a step? please go and do your homework on denver, they wanted to trade Melo, but he did so good at the olympics, they decided to keep him. detroit? please how come no one on here has mentioned that even Rip came forward backing up what AI said about the situation in Detroit. people use your eyes and stop feeding of all this nonsense that the media feeds you. all i say is let the man actually play so we can see if he has lost a step. anybody who can carry all the dead weight he had on the sixers to the finals, can definitely carry this memphis team. STOP HATING ON AI, ITS SO TIRED NOW.

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