Allen Iverson Live

Without a clear-cut suitor emerging to sign him, All-Star guard Allen Iverson(notes) announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Iverson, who has played 14 seasons in the NBA, thought he was close to signing with the New York Knicks last week only to be told team officials had a change of heart.

“I would like to announce my plans to retire from the National Basketball Association,” Iverson said in a statement released to Stephen A. Smith, who first announced Iverson’s decision on his personal web site. “I always thought that when I left the game, it would be because I couldn’t help my team the way that I was accustomed to. However, that is not the case.

“I still have tremendous love for the game, the desire to play, and a whole lot left in my tank. I feel strongly that I can still compete at the highest level.”

The question: Will Iverson stay retired?

“I expect him to stay retired if a great, mutual situation doesn’t come about,” said Iverson’s friend and former teammate Eric Snow. “His legacy has been established.

“Wonderful career. Right thing to do for his family,” Iverson’s manager, Gary Moore told Yahoo! Sports. “It’s no secret that Allen has been unfairly treated through all this. The fact is his family needs him more.”

Iverson, 34, thanked his fans, family and friends and former coaches and teammates in his statement.

“To Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and Larry Bird, you guys gave me the vision to play the game that will be forever in my heart,” Iverson said. “To my Mom, who encouraged and inspired me to play every day, and to all of my family and friends who stood by me from the beginning. Thank you!”

“I’m not playing basketball no more to make money or anything like that or fame,” he said. “I’ve been there and did that. I just want to be happy doing what I love to do.

“If I felt I had to sell myself or sell out to be somebody that I’m not, then I wouldn’t do it anymore. I’d be playing at the YMCA.”

Ronald Tillery, Memphis Commercial Appeal: “Allen Iverson will have an MRI today because of a strained left hamstring that forced him to sit out Tuesday when the Grizzlies began their exhibition schedule against the Washington Wizards. [...] Iverson said this is the first time he has experienced a strained hamstring. His absence is not simply a precautionary measure. ‘I can’t go,’ Iverson said. ‘If it was Game 7 of the Finals, I wouldn’t be able to go.’ Iverson tweaked the hamstring during Sunday’s scrimmage at the Grizzlies’ training camp in Birmingham. He didn’t practice Monday. ‘I was dribbling the ball and tried to stop on a dime and I heard a little pop,’ Iverson said, adding that he’s disappointed by the timing of the injury. ‘I know a lot of people came to see me play and to not be able to go is frustrating and disheartening.’”

Allen Iverson has something to prove this season. He is making it clear.

“This year for me is so personal,” Iverson said.

“It’s basically going to be my rookie season again. It hurts, but I turn the TV on, I read the paper, I listen to some of the things people say about me having the season that I had last year and me losing a step, things like that. They’re trying to put me in a rocking chair already.”

Though the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP has scored more than 23,000 points in his NBA career, he wasn’t a highly sought-after free agent.

The 34-year-old guard heard all the talk that he’s lost a step, that last year’s dip in offensive production indicated he’s on the downside of an All-Star career, maybe even ready for retirement.

The Grizzlies announced they had signed the 10-time All Star on Thursday morning minutes before Iverson was introduced at a news conference.

Get ready for a amazing season.  AI is back!   He’s also rocking his braids (after he had cut them off last season).  He’s ready for a fresh start and eager to prove the critics wrong.  What are you thoughts?  Will we see the high-scoring, high energy AI back?

Check out the new gallery with AI in his new Memphis jersey!

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