Allen Iverson & Memphis Grizzlies Part Ways
Anyone Hiring?
The saga of Allen Iverson and the Memphis Grizzlies lasted less than two months. Monday, the two sides agreed to release the 34 year old from his one-year contract, meaning Iverson will become a free agent when he clears waivers.
Iverson, who’d signed a $3.5 million contract in September, had been away from the team for the past 10 days, taking a leave of absence from the team to deal with what both he and the team called a private family matter. But it also was crystal clear that Iverson was not going to abide by the team’s decision that he come off the bench instead of start, and that meant a long-term relationship between the two was ultimately going to be impossible.
I didn’t expect Iverson and the Grizzles to part ways prior to the Jamaal Tinsley signing, thinking a brief hiatus and the Iverson would kiss and makeup. I really thought he would be back in Memphis. Then came the signing of Tinsley Saturday night and I heard general manager Chris Wallace lie to me and say the signing had nothing to do with the Iverson ordeal.
Now the question turns to does Iverson find a job. A job in which we know by now means starter. The job search begins but whats his options?
Memphis Grizzlies Sign Guard Jamaal Tinsley
Fraud
The Memphis Grizzlies signed Jamaal Tinsley, the former Indiana Pacers point guard who hasn’t played in nearly two years, the middle of the 2007-08 season, and was told to stay away from the Pacers because of his off the court distractions and his displeasure with his diminished role. He was presumably signed by Memphis to replace Allen Iverson, who is dealing with a personal issue after his displeasure of coming off the bench. That’s what I call irony.
The Grizzlies have already committed their back-court to Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo but are looking for a veteran to rain in the youngsters from time to time. In his seven seasons with Indiana, Tinsley averaged 10.4 points and seven assists. The assists average puts him seventh among active players.
General manager Chris Wallace said the Iverson situation was not a factor in the decision. Liar. His signing could have come four years from now it’s not like general managers where banging on the Tinsley family door asking whats he’s been up too.
Coming out of Iowa State University, Tinsley was originally drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies with the 27th pick in the 2001 draft and from I saw I thought he had game maybe be some type of Tim Hardaway clone, expect he turned out to be a fraud Tinsley.
