Allen Iverson Live

Here’s an English translation of the original report:

“Besiktas Cola Turka management has rolled up their sleeves to bring another NBA superstar to Istanbul. Besiktas fans and management, who are very pleased with the arrival of Allen Iverson, have now set their sights on luring Boston Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal overseas. […]

Iverson’s manager Gary Moore suggested to Besiktas Vice-Chairman Erdogan Toprak and Head of Basketball Operations Seref Yalcin the possibility of bringing in the Boston big man at the end of the season. Moore, who played a critical role in Iverson’s signing with Besiktas, is in constant contact with O’Neal and could be an intermediary in securing an agreement. […]

Along with Iverson, O’Neal’s teammate and Turkish national Semih Erdem would be a great reference for Besiktas. […] The team’s management has already begun working on preparing a deal for next season.”

What do you think of the possibility of a Shaq-Iverson duo dominating the European basketball scene?  It would certainly make Besiktas Cola Turka the most star-studded team in Europe.  With the potential of an NBA lock-out next season, this dream may seem closer to reality than you think.

It appears that Allen Iverson is on the verge of signing for the Turkish team.  It is said that it’s “a matter of time”, according to Gazet Evatan.

The salary is thought to be $1.5 million with a $500,000 bonus for the team winning the league championship or making it to the EuroCup Final Four, according to the site.

Evatan notes that “more and more details arrive about the negotiations and everything seems to show that a deal could be reached very soon.”

It’s been reported by Detroit Free Press that the Orlando Magic and New Orleans Hornets are interested in Allen Iverson.

The four-time NBA scoring champ has drawn interest from the Magic and the Hornets, according to a tweet by Ohio-based NBA.com writer Sam Amico, who cited “those who claim to be in the know.”

The suspense is building up.  Allen Iverson is yet to announce his next team after declaring that he wants to play this upcoming season.  Miami Heat have just signed sharp-shooter Mike Miller to complement the Big Three.  Could an announcement to sign Allen Iverson be next?  Writers continue to speculate: Could Allen Iverson Play A Role In Miami “Thrice”?

Also a good read: 5 Reasons Why Allen Iverson Should Join Miami Heat’s All-Star Cast

According to one source, there has been rumours floating around that Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are interested in Allen Iverson this upcoming season.  If you recall from last year’s free-agency, Miami Heat were one of the top teams trying to sign Iverson.

Apparently, Allen Iverson was seen having a one-on-one chat with Miami boss Pat Riley at Dwyane Wade’s party: Tweet 1, Tweet 2, Tweet 3

Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers are in talks for a surprising sequel.

Iverson and top Sixers officials met to discuss a possible return to the team, a scenario once thought impossible after their acrimonious split three years ago. Team president Ed Stefanski said in a statement that both parties remain noncommittal about a final decision after a nearly two-hour meeting Monday in Dallas.

Iverson, his agent and business manager met with Stefanski, coach Eddie Jordan and two other members of the organization during the first formal meeting between the Sixers and their former MVP.

Iverson announced his intention to retire last week after no other team expressed an interest is signing the four-time scoring champion. The 6-foot Iverson played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

Read Full Story Here

The wait is finally over.  Allen Iverson has committed to signing with the Memphis Grizzlies.  5 hours ago he tweeted:

God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career. I met with Mr. Heinsley, Chris Wallace and my next head coach Lionel Hollinsabout 5 hours ago from web

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.about 5 hours ago from web

The build up had fans at the edge of their seats.  But finally we can rest assured that AI will be back in the NBA next season.

Allen Iverson has agreed to terms with the Memphis Grizzlies and will sign a one-year deal by week’s end, a league source told Yahoo! Sports on Wednesday.

He’s expected to sign a $3.5 million contract, with incentives to make more based on performance.

The Grizzlies expect to hold a news conference for Iverson before he departs for Europe on a trip next week.

Links: NBA.com David Aldridge

ESPN.com Mark Stein

According to Yahoo! Sports, Allen Iverson met with the Memphis Grizzlies owner and GM on Monday in Atlanta.  However, they have yet to reach an agreement on a contract.    So the wait continues…

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, coach Lionel Hollins and general manager Chris Wallace attended the meeting. The source said there isn’t a timetable for Iverson to make his decision.

The Grizzlies have offered a one-year, $3.5 million dollar contract that could potentially be pushed to more than $4 million if the rights to guard Juan Carlos Navarro are renounced. While Iverson would like to be reunited with his former coach, Larry Brown, in Charlotte, the Bobcats have expressed only mild interest in him, given the franchise’s financial restraints. For now, Memphis appears to be Iverson’s only strong option to return to the NBA.

Despite Iverson’s preference to start, the Grizzlies would likely try to bring him off the bench while starting Michael Conley and O.J. Mayo(notes) in the backcourt. Hollins doesn’t want to slow the development of Conley and Mayo, the source said. The Grizzlies hope that adding Iverson would boost ticket sales and their profile.

In my opinion, the best situation would be for AI to land back with his old coach in Charlotte.  I think a lot of fans also feel this way.  However, it sounds like the Bobcats have financial restraints.  Since Iverson has expressed his interest in making the Grizz “a winner”, it is still good news.  His enthusiasm can be a good thing and at the end of the day, we all want to see AI back in the league…

We are inching closer and closer to a deal.  Allen’s last twitter post:

I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on tomorrow, along with his staff. I want to help them develop a winner.about 18 hours ago from web

h Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and other team officials on Monday night. The free-agent guard could sign a one-year contract with the team, the Memphis Commerical Appeal reports.

The Grizzlies appear to be Iverson’s only suitor. They have $3.5 million left under the salary cap to give him, a figure that could increase to $4.4 million should they renounce the rights to guard Juan Carlos Navarro(notes)

Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal

Sources indicate that Allen Iverson is very close to a deal and we may hear about it by Friday.

Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, informed the Grizzlies earlier this week that a decision would come before the weekend. Iverson, 34, is a free agent for the first time in his 13-year career, and has expressed interest in playing for Charlotte and Memphis in recent weeks.

Iverson wrote on his Twitter account today that a decision is imminent: “Spoke with a couple teams this week, and I think we are getting real close to a deal. I hope so!”

Well I am about to begin another workout session. Agent informed me that Memphis made us an offer on yesterday. Stay tuned.7:03 AM Aug 26th from web

Memphis is a place that I would love to play. The Grizzlies have good young players with a great upside. I love the city of Memphis too.3:51 PM Aug 27th from web

I would lead by example. I could show how important it is to work hard everyday, play the game the right way, & just like it’s your last!3:57 PM Aug 27th from web

Sounds like the Memphis Grizzlies have made an offer to Allen Iverson.  The Grizzlies haven’t given up on A.I. after all.

According to Suicide Lines: “The Griz made their second offer of the summer to Iverson on Tuesday, trying to lure the dynamic scorer with a one-year deal that starts at $3.5 million and is loaded with incentives. Iverson first had a one-year, $5million deal from the Grizzlies to consider. The Griz pulled that offer off the table several weeks ago, but are willing to give Iverson what they have left to spend under the NBA salary cap.”

AP: “Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace is denying that the club has made a contract offer to Allen Iverson. Iverson tweeted on Wednesday that Memphis made him a contract offer, and ESPN.com reported soon after that Wallace confirmed the guard’s claim. However, Wallace denied confirming the offer through a team spokesman on Thursday. The team does have interest in the future Hall of Famer though.”

It’s been rumored all summer and even Iverson has already tweeted about it.  Dime Magazine’s Aron Phillips reports that Allen Iverson has reached an agreement with the Charlotte Bobcats and the deal will become official next week.

I think a lot fans also believe this marriage makes sense.  Iverson has the most success in his career with the coach that he went to the 2001 NBA Finals with.

Charlotte would add a scorer to a team that was last in the NBA in scoring, as well as popular personality still capable of selling tickets and merchandise for the cash-strapped franchise.

More to come soon.  Stay tuned!

Allen Iverson has spoken on twitter:

If you think that I am just going away-Think again! I am getting ready for the NBA season. Waiting for the call. Charlotte, Miami, NY.

We all know about the potential Miami deal.  We also know that AI could potentially play for his old coach in Charlotte.  Iverson has now confirmed that New York is still a possibility.  Imagine AI playing in Mike D’Antoni’s free flowing offence.  Not only would he sell tickets in the world’s greatest arena, Madison Square Garden, but he could also put up some big offensive numbers.

Allen has been tweeting like crazy the last few days:

Getting in shape, running, lifting and thinking about which team that I will help compete for a championship! Whoever gets me will be happy5:09 AM Aug 18th from web

I have had a year to get ready, my back is fine now don’t worry. When you see me again you will think that I am fresh out of Georgetown!5:11 AM Aug 18th from web

I have heard all of the doubters, but they should know that I willnot be broken and I will remain true to my fans. I spoke with my manager5:13 AM Aug 18th from web

My people just informed me that we are getting close to a deal. I asked them to call me the when its done. I am so ready to know!8:39 AM Aug 19th from web

I have not been this eager with anticipation since the night before the NBA Draft in 96. Then I knew where I was going, now I want to know!8:57 AM Aug 19th from web

I have been blessed to make plenty of money in this league. Now it’s not about the money, its about playing me getting back on the court &9:15 AM Aug 19th from web

The Miami Heat and the Philadelphia 76ers, both potential teams for Iverson to join, may now be less likely suitors for Iverson in his 14th NBA Season.

After the Heat traded center Mark Blount for veteran swingman Quentin Richardson late Thursday night, the Miami Herald’s Mike Wallace wrote: “Considering the slightly higher luxury-tax bill, this could be the unofficial end to any interest the Heat had in acquiring Allen Iverson. There already were concerns about potentially getting everyone enough shots before Richardson came aboard. Iverson, a pure scorer, won’t be needed as much.”

Also, the 76ers are in the market for backcourt help with the free-agent defection of Andre Miller to the Trail Blazers, but CSNPhilly.com reported this week that a return to the team where Iverson became a household name was unlikely.

“Allen Iverson is a very good basketball player,” 76ers general manager Ed Stefanski said. “But we don’t see him in our plans with the age of our kids. We are going to go with youth at the point guard position, and I am sure Allen will hook on with someone.”

This author apparently overheard Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, talking about potential offers from Rockets, Pacers and Oklahoma Thunder.

He said the Pacers and Thunder were offering around $5.85 million for a one-year contract.

The Rockets were also offering $5 million for a season.

The man said he spoke with the Sixers and they were not quite on the same page, but said if they changed their mind they would be open to discuss this anytime down the road.

Rose said he talked to Larry Bird and Bird said he would love to see Iverson team with Danny Granger and thought that Granger could benefit from Iverson and understands Iverson still has the abilities he had from when he was in Philadelphia and Denver. He said he thinks Granger and Iverson can easily be the highest scoring duo in the league.

Bird also thinks Iverson can still tickets.

I don’t know how credible this source is.  However, it does shed some light on the fact that teams are still pursuing Iverson – despite what the Media has claimed about Iverson.  This is a good sign, meaning that there will be more options on the table for A.I.

Iverson may have finally found his team, though. The Miami Heat supposedly gave him a call to see if he had any interest in moving to Florida. The man making the call was reportedly none other than Pat Riley, according to the Miami Herald.

Riley supposedly wanted the 10-time NBA All-Star and former league MVP that the Heat have “continued interest” in him.

Iverson has said from the start of free agency in July that he would prefer to sign with the Heat and play alongside of Dwyane Wade if a deal could get done. But the Heat has downplayed its interest publicly and likely would only be interested in Iverson at a price between $1.3-$2 million for one season.

According to the source, the Heat has not yet made a concrete offer to Iverson. But Riley has told Iverson’s camp that he will soon get back to them. Riley, according to the source, also asked that “before (Iverson) considers accepting any (other) offer, to please get back with him.”

Source: Miami Herald

Sounds like there is more momentum toward’s Iverson chance of joining Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat.  I think everyone agrees that the Heat is the best situation at the moment for Iverson.  Since Miami lost out on Odom, this is a chance to bring Iverson in to keep Dwayne Wade happy.  Let’s hope this materializes!

This is getting ridiculous.  The Greek fans have spoken.  The poll figure show the Olympiacos option jumping to over 1,400 votes in the last two days for a leading 36%.   Not to mention the massive amount of comments that have came in from all over the world.

Here’s the situation: The best financial deal on the table for the former MVP is from Olympiacos (said to be worth $10 million for seasons).  Iverson is said to be considering the deal, BUT league sources said it’s far more likely Iverson picks Miami or Memphis before updating his passport.

Several teams have talked with Iverson and sources close to his situation say it’s not about lack of interest, its finding the right situation. The Greek offer appeals to a wide range of areas for Iverson the business man; his star power would clearly change the perception of Olympiacos on the International stage and his marketing partners – namely Reebok – would love the exposure.

It is not a stretch to think Iverson gives Olympiacos more than reasonable consideration, but sources say his heart is still in the NBA and finding the right NBA team is the goal.

Check out this poll by SportsNation.  SportsNation thinks he’d be as good an ambassador for basketball as David Beckham has been for soccer in the United States).

Last time I checked, Allen Iverson was beating out David Beckham 51% to 48%!

The Olympiakos rumour is spreading like wildfire and the comments are flooding in. Lots of Greek fans have made their pleas for Allen Iverson to join their beloved club in Athens. In a single day, the Poll option for Olympiakos has already reached 2nd place with 17% of votes, second only to Miami Heat (30%).

More reports on this have indicated the following details

Olympiakos, the Greek club that continues to go after NBA free agents, is now going after Allen Iverson; offering the 6-0 guard a $10 million contract over two years.

The $10 million dollar offer is close to the numbers that Iverson is seeking in free agency, but is Iverson willing to head overseas, play in a completely different basketball culture with great expectations?

The Athens-based Olympiakos Piraeus is the team that made waves by signing away Josh Childress from the Atlanta Hawks last season.

What do you think?  Is Iverson willing to head overseas and play in a completely different basketball culture with great expectations?

In other news, this SI.com writer thinks that Iverson is the best fit for Miami.

Reportedly, Olympiacos officials are ready to offer free agent Iverson a two-year, $10 million deal, “exactly the same proposal that was presented to Nate Robinson” earlier this year.

For the first time this summer Allen Iverson has received an offer close to his liking, just not from an NBA team. Olympiacos is reportedly close to proposing a two-year contract worth $10 million to Iverson, the exact same deal that Nate Robinson turned down.

Olympiacos presents a very lucrative and interesting option for Iverson, who hasn’t been treated well by free agency so far. Few teams have been open to the idea of signing Iverson and those who are aren’t willing to make a major commitment.

More: Iverson Headed Overseas?

Pirėjo “Olympiacos” domisi A.Iversonu ?

According to the NY Daily News, either Ramon Sessions or Allen Iverson could land a role on the New York Knicks.   Ramon Sessions could receive a contract offer from the Knicks as early as Friday, assuming they don’t have a change of heart and shift their point-guard focus to Allen Iverson.

Mike D’Antoni is said to favor Sessions, a restricted free agent who enjoyed a breakout season for Milwaukee last year. However, Iverson could be a cheaper alternative because the perennial All-Star is willing to accept a one-year contract that would cost the Knicks their $5.85 million mid-level exception. Sessions, 23, is hoping to receive a multi-year contract starting with the mid-level exception. The Bucks would have seven days to match the offer.

According to a team source, Knicks president Donnie Walsh and Iverson’s agent, Leon Rose, met two weeks ago to discuss the possibility of Iverson joining the Knicks.

The Knicks would sign Iverson only if D’Antoni endorsed the move. Iverson, 34, has a history of clashing with head coaches, which would obviously concern D’Antoni. However, there is also a feeling that Iverson will thrive in D’Antoni’s free-flowing offense.

Plus, signing Iverson would generate buzz for the Knicks, who have thus far been shut out in the free agent market. They failed to land Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Andre Miller. In fact, the Knicks have yet to sign a player in what is historically the busiest month for transactions.

What do you think?  Would Allen Iverson fit with the New York Knicks?  Poll has been updated with Knicks option.