Allen Iverson Live

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

The lure of greatness continues to fill the Miami Heat roster.  The question is if Allen Iverson is next? The Miami Heat have just managed to lure former Cleveland All-Star Zydrunas Ilgauskas to sign for the league minimum-salary. The prospect of playing with former team member Lebron James on star-studded cast was too much to resist.

This author from the Washington Post believes that Allen Iverson could bring fireworks to the line-up:

Suppose Miami signs Allen Iverson? You want some instant offense off the bench, a guy who can give Wade a breather and score 12, 14 points in a flash and be a matchup nightmare? Iverson says he’s ready to come back, that his family is healthy, that he’s refocused on helping a team in whatever way he is asked. The one thing Iverson doesn’t have is a championship ring, and Miami seems like just the place for him.

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!”

The suspense is killing us.  However, it does look more likely than not that Allen Iverson will re-unite with Larry Brown on the Charlotte Bobcats.  The news around the internet is summarized below:

Iverson-Brown II? Maybe, maybe not - The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell wrote in response to the report: “I’m told by a great source that’s not true. However, that doesn’t mean Iverson won’t be a Bobcat. It sounds like there’s a good chance that will happen. My source says definitively that Iverson’s first choice is to play for Larry Brown again in Charlotte, and that there have been serious discussions about making that happen.”

Bonnell said that before any move were to occur, the Bobcats face issues with their payroll and a logjam at guard. But he adds: “You’d be adding a great scorer to a team that was last in the NBA in scoring, and you’d be adding a star to a team struggling to sell tickets and create a buzz.”

Iverson and Bobcats hammering out a deal? – Rumor has it the two sides have either agreed on a deal or are getting pretty close to one. Either way, one is expected to probably be signed sometime this week, according to the Sporting News.  The arrival of Iverson would likely not be good news for shooting guard Raja Bell(notes), who would surely get pushed down onto the bench.

Note that Raja Bell played with Iverson during their run to the 2001 NBA finals.  Raja Bell came off the bench back then, is he willing to do it again?

Iverson Wants Reunion with Brown – If Iverson does sign with the Bobcats, the team likely would need to figure out whether to trade or relegate shooting guard Raja Bell to a reserve roll. Another issue could be the contract itself—as Sean Deveney wrote earlier this week, the Bobcats haven’t been in the spending mode this summer.

Since Miami is one of the top choices for Iverson fans, the question becomes whether Allen Iverson can play well together with Dwayne Wade. Both are prolific scorers who need the ball in their hands. The question is whether they will be a complement or a conflict between each other. Can they be a dynamic duo and compete in the East? What do you think?

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 ?

Everyone has a theory why Allen Iverson is unsigned.  Iverson is too talented to be without a team.

Oly Sandor from Hoops Vibe lists his top 5 reasons:

1. Iverson is no longer a star. Last season’s debacle in Detroit proved he’s more a blending player; an off-the bench scorer or complimentary piece. Problem is Iverson doesn’t share this sentiment and wants first option minutes, touches, and shots.

2. Money matters. Iverson wants decent dollars because he equates his contract with respect. For instance, he believes taking the veteran’s minimum means he’s a journeyman. This is incorrect. There’s nothing wrong with taking less for the right situation, especially when you’ve had two’ max’ contracts.

3. Unfortunately, playing time and money are scarce for this year’s free agent crop. Coaches don’t have to guarantee minutes or roles and GMs don’t have to back-up the brinks trucks or give out extended terms. Iverson’s demands are unrealistic in the current market.

4. Last year in Detroit was a disaster. When healthy, he struggled. His tendency to dominate the ball didn`t jive with the collectivist Pistons and led to GM Joe Dumars giving him the golden handshake to stay on the injured list. Other teams are leery of adding such a situation.

5. When convenient, the NBA has used hip hop as a marketing tool. When inconvenient, the NBA has shamefully distanced itself from anything hip hop. Right now, is one of those distancing times, so Iverson, the original face of Slam Mag`, isn`t a marketing draw.

There are some valid points, but I wouldn’t agree with all his reasons.  #1 – Iverson would still be a star and major draw on any team he is on.  After all, he’s just two seasons removed from averaging 25 points per game for Denver.  #2 – I think based on the interview from NBA.com, being in a situation where he is wanted and he is “happy” is more important than money at this stage in his career. #4 is clearly because Joe Dumar purely wanted AI for his expiring contract, not because he wanted AI to fit in with Pistons.

Why do you think Iverson is without an NBA team?  Leave your comments now.

In other news, here’s a detailed look at Hampton native Steve James crafting “The Trial of Allen Iverson”

The Lakers and Lamar Odom reached terms on a deal yesterday that should become official sometime today. The big hold up was indeed the fourth year as we’ve been discussing in this space for the better part of 10 days.

Allen Iverson has also had talks with Miami, and is said to be strongly considering the HEAT, but they will not go into their median exception for Iverson, even on a one-year deal. That stance may change now that Odom is off the board. Iverson is said to have talked with the Knicks this last week and league sources close to the situation characterize Iverson as having several teams to choose from most offering $5 million or more for next season. Iverson is said to be looking for the right situation to re-start his career after a dreadful showing in Detroit and is far more concerned about roster composition and fit than anything else.

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.

Here’s a great column by ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons‘ on Iverson’s current situation. It may be a bit rant-like but it speaks volumes:

“The general consensus,” Simmons wrote of Iverson, is that “his career as an effective player is over. How did we reach that conclusion? I have no idea. He averaged nearly 27 a game two seasons ago in Denver. Denver traded him to a declining Detroit team soon after opening night, where he was forced to play in a new system for a bad coach, and GM Joe Dumars soon made it clear Detroit traded for Iverson’s expiring contract (and not Iverson himself).

“When the situation inevitably self-combusted and they asked Iverson to come off the bench, he ‘coincidentally’ came down with a back injury and that was that. Meanwhile, Billups turned Denver around, enabling people to stupidly make the connection that Billups was wonderful and Iverson was the anti-Christ. Now everyone is afraid to sign him.

“My first question: If we’re writing off Iverson for the previous paragraph, why aren’t we writing off Rasheed (Wallace) — just as enigmatic, just as much of a volcano, just as much of a coach killer over the years — when Sheed played worse than Iverson did last season?

“My second question: Since when was it a good idea to bet against Iverson? Name another NBA player who overcame more obstacles over the years. For ESPN’s “30 For 30″ documentary series that premieres this fall, one of the first films is called ‘The Trial of Allen Iverson’ (directed by Steve James of “Hoop Dreams” fame). I have only seen a rough cut. It has a chance to become one of the most important sports documentaries ever.

“Why? Because you will never think of Iverson the same way again. You will like him. You will feel bad for him. You will connect with him. You will admire him in a way that you never imagined. After witnessing what he endured legally and racially — how unfair it was, how un-American it was — and marveling at the dignity he showed as he put his life back together afterward, I promise, you will never bet against this guy.”

I can’t wait to see this documentary!   I will make sure I post the details on when this documentary gets aired.  Simmons goes on to call this Daily Press video as “one of the best three minutes of the sports year.”

“You probably didn’t hear about it,” Simmons said of Iverson’s remarks at a Hampton news conference to promote his charity events, “because the sports media and the blogosphere is more interested in talking about Brett Favre, Michael Vick, civil suits, how ESPN is the devil and everything else.

“Occasionally, some relevant stuff slips through the cracks. Like this clip, for instance. Please watch it, then tell me why everyone is so willing to count out one of the best 30 basketball players of all time, as well as one of the greatest pure athletes in the history of sports, at the tender age of 34 when he has something to prove. We have not heard the last from him. Just wait.”

Good stuff.  I think all of us AI fans agree.

Detroit Free Press: Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley was emphatic over the weekend that a roster move was not made to create more salary-cap space for former Piston Allen Iverson(notes).

‘Iverson wasn’t even part of the conversation,’ Heisley told the Memphis Commercial Appeal after renouncing the rights to power forward Hakim Warrick(notes) ($3 million in savings) late last week. It set off immediate speculation that the Grizzlies were going to renew contact talks with Iverson, whom the Grizzlies flirted with shortly after the free-agency period began July 1. But Heisley quelled that talk.

‘I think we decided we wanted some flexibility,’ Heisley said. ‘But the idea that there is a target is completely false. As for Iverson, I think he’s trying to get with a team like L.A. (Clippers) or Miami or someone like that. Frankly, I’ve tried to tell everybody that I don’t think we’re at the top of Iverson’s list, but no one wants to listen. All it is, we’re basically opening up cap room for us.’”

This is all the better for Allen Iverson – Grizzlies are definitely not a fit for him as the owner is notoriously bad and purely wanted Iverson’s name to sell tickets.  Miami and LA Clippers still seem to be the potential teams.  However, Miami seem to be focused at signing Odom at the moment which may have deferred away from any Iverson-related deal.

Looks like the Grizzlies may be clearing salary space for a potential big name as they renounced their 3mil offer to Warrick.

Although Yahoo! Sports reported earlier this week that talks between SG Allen Iverson and the Grizzlies were dead, that didn’t stop at least one Grizzlies player from speculating that the new cap space could be used on Iverson.

“If it’s to make room for Allen Iverson, I definitely think we’re making a step forward,” G O.J. Mayo told ESPN.com, “and as a young player in my second year in the league (it) definitely gets me excited that we’re going the right way and making some good choices for the organization.”

Sounds like the Grizzlies and their desperate owner may not have given up on Iverson.  What do you think?