20 minutes ago, Allen Iverson used five tweets to get this off his chest:
I will be in my hometown of VA for Camp Crossover 2010 (July 6-9). I am going there to work with kids and to give back to my community. I want to return to the NBA this season, and help any team that wants me, in any capacity that they feel that I can help. I'm disappointed, and I owe my fans more than what they have seen of me the last couple seasons. However, now that my family is healthy and rock solid, I can concentrate fully on doing what I do best! At the camp, I will help teach kids some of what it takes to be successful in life. On and off the basketball court.
Around this time last year, AI was a free agent wanting to sign with a team that he could help win a championship. However, he didn't want to just piggy back on a team and play as a backup. He wanted to start and got his wish for the Memphis Grizzlies. He didn't start though and threw a fit and was released and signed with the 76ers. He started but then family troubles got in the way and he kinda vanished after that.
Well, here he is. Making it public that he still wants to play and wants to help any team that wants him. I'm sure there are a few teams that could use him, but it remains to be seen if he'd be willing to be a bench player or if he'll hold out to be a starting PG again.
[Photo from Dead Spin] Over the past couple of weeks (not so much recently, though), there's been a lot of talk about Allen Iverson, his daughter being sick, his divorce, his gambling debts, etc. His latest twitter tweets from March 8th:
To my fans: You all know that my life isn't perfect. I am going through some very tough times right now, like I am sure that we all do from time to time. However, I will stand tall like always with "rhino" thick skin. Even though I have become used to hearing people say things about me that aren't true, it still hurts. I encourage you to continue your ongoing support and I want you to trust that this is another obstacle in my life that, with God's help I will overcome. God Bless You All. (http://twitter.com/ALLENiVERSON)
Writers and fans have predicted that this could be the end of Iverson's basketball career since he took a leave of absence a little before the All Star break from the 76ers to be with his sick daughter. Ish hit the fan with all his other problems coming to light. He's been in the news more than he's been in the box scores for games these past few weeks. But bringing this back to basketball, people talk about how he'll be a guy who never won a ring and should have come off the bench for a championship contending team. Not just people; sports analysts, general managers, owners, commentators, coaches, fans; everyone.
Put yourself in Iverson's position. Put yourself in his kind of position with something you can relate to. Let's say you're in college and you're working part time at an office job. You're going through your classes and you're struggling with your major. Your coworkers start discussing amongst themselves what YOU should be doing in school. What classes you should be taking, whether or not you should switch your major, how you should be reworking your hours at work. How annoyed would you be? Your coworkers don't know what's best for you. They don't know your what's going on in your life, what's going on in school, circumstances beyond your and their control. And whether or not they're right or wrong, you don't want to have someone else making decisions for you.
Back to Iverson. Sports writers, bloggers, fans... they don't know Iverson's whole story. Sports writers write what they think about Iverson. But Iverson knows Iverson and whether or not the sports writers are correct, do you really think Iverson would concede and say, "You know what, you're right. I'll come off the bench for a championship contending team and win a ring before my career is over. Thanks Sports Illustrated, LA Times, NY Times, and every blogger and twitterer, you've guided me to the right path"? Yeah, me neither.
So while everyone hates on Iverson's decisions and pride and think that they know what's best for him, I understand Iverson's stance. He was the #1 draft pick and has been considered a top player during the earlier part of the decade. He doesn't wanna go out like other 1996 draft class dropouts. Stephon Marbury tried to go along for the ride for a ring in Boston. Antoine Walker went along for a ride for a ring in Miami. Iverson is a lot better than those guys, plain and simple. Even with Walker's ring, Iverson's career is more impressive. [Side note: 1996 draft is my favorite draft class of all time and I wish Marcus Camby had been an all star at least once in his career but alas...]
So while Iverson deals with his personal problems and family issues and maybe later on, his basketball future, no one's opinion is going to matter except his own. While people may think they know better, right or wrong, Iverson's going to do what Iverson wants to do. And that's something I can understand and respect.
(Photo from MoonDogSports) Allen Iverson has played 11 games this season. Three off the bench for the Grizzlies, and eight for the 76ers as a starter. First things first, YES, HE CAN STILL PLAY. But let's dig a little deeper. For the Grizzlies, off the bench, he was 0-3 (3 away games @ Sacramento, Golden State and LA Lakers). You could say that the Grizzlies at that time were a lost team anyway and would have lost those games with or without AI on the bench, starting, on the team, or not, but the Grizzlies have been putting on an impressive showing the past few weeks with wins against Dallas, Cleveland, Denver and a close game (loss) against Boston. But you could also say that the Grizzlies have gotten some inspired play from Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph (wow). I can't say I know how the team operates with and without AI because none of their games are televised and I've only seen one game against the Clippers (3 pt loss, without AI).
(Photo from GGPHT) Fast forward to his desired role as a starter on the 76ers and his record up until today is 3-5. He was injured for 4 games in between those eight he played where the 76ers went 1-3. But back to AI's 3 wins (Portland, Golden State, Sacramento) and 5 losses (Denver, Detroit, Houston, Cleveland, and just before the 2010 ball dropped, the Clippers). The most significant injury we should take note of is Lou Williams, who was doing well as a starting guard before AI came. Williams was out and recently came back for the 3 game losing streak (reserve for first 2 games, starter for 3rd) and the 2 wins when AI came back and with whom he started alongside, and then the loss to the Clippers.
For the 76ers, he's shooting 43.3% from the field, getting 15.5 points, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals a game. Yes he can still play. But is he the answer? No. But let's also note that these 76ers aren't that good. Elton Brand has been anything but the star they paid for a year ago and has been demoted to 6th man duties. Andre Iguodala is doing his all around game at almost 19 points, 6.8 ast, and 5.7 rebounds (with 1.9 steals a game). Dalembert is doing his thing getting boards and blocks. Thaddeus Young has been doing well as a starting forward getting 15 points and 5 boards. Add to those starters Willie Green, Marreese Speights, and Jason Kapono etc. and you have a team that people would get excited about if this team was together maybe 5 years ago. Now, they are 9-23 only better than New Jersey, good for 14th in the East.
As said before, AI can play. He doesn't seem to be ball hogging, averaging 11 shots a game and 6 trips to the FT line. His coach has been happy with his performance and even AI himself has said he's there to help his teammates gain confidence (Yahoo Sports). Iverson can play but he isn't going to transform a team into a instant contender. No one should really be surprised as it's been said since he stopped playing for Detroit last year. He didn't transform the Grizzlies, and he's not transforming the 76ers. As everyone said and agreed to, he'd be a great bench player for a contender but again, his pride might be in the way.
AI cried during his press interview when the 76ers signed him. Perhaps Larry Brown was right when he said AI was a little embarrassed that every team wasn't going out of their way to sign him. The fact is, AI is an undersized SG who get's a lot of steals by playing passing lanes but is susceptible to being beat by the league's better PGs in one on one situations. He made up for it during his prime by scoring 30 points a game and outrunning those same PGs on offense but GMs have taken notice and don't want to give him the starting nod over their younger up and coming PGs. Take a look at all the teams in the league. Who needs AI as a starting PG? Even the worst teams are fine at starting PG: The Nets have Devin Harris. Sacramento has Tyreke Evans. The Warriors have Stephen Curry/Monta Ellis. Detroit and Washington have Rodney Stuckey and Gilbert Arenas. If Lou Williams hadn't gotten hurt, would Philly have gone after AI? Maybe not: AI signed a one year deal for a little over $1 million. NOT A LONG TERM PLAN as they also drafted Jrue Holiday this summer.
So what's going to happen this summer when AI is a free agent again? It doesn't look like any team needs him as a starting PG. Will he retire again? Do what every sports writer wanted him to do and be a bench player on a contender? Who knows? This is only your update.
(Photo from cellphonewallpapers) The Memphis Grizzlies beat out the Charlotte Bobcats in the Allen Iverson sweepstakes today. The New York Times reports that the two parties agreed on a one year deal worth about $3.5 million, a substantial decrease in pay for Iverson who made around $19 million last year with Denver and Detroit. But for Iverson, this wasn't about the money. While everyone is quoting Iverson's twitter about signing with the Grizzlies, let's look back to what he tweeted when he didn't have a clue where he was going:
July 2nd, 2009, 9:00 am pacific time - I'm a Free Agent, healthy again, and capable of signing with any team
July 2nd, 2009, 9:02 am pacific time - my only preference will be to play for a coach that knows what I bring to the table and that I am going to bring it every night!
July 2nd, 2009, 9:03 am pacific time - someone that knows how to best utilize my skills to make our team the very best that we can be.
You can thank Twitter and their 140 character per tweet limit for the multiple tweets for one message. Take it for what it's worth, but with the signing of a "minimal" $3.5 million, Allen Iverson may be more interested in remaining a starter rather than championship piggybacking, coming off the bench for a contending team. As tweeted, he wants a coach who can utilize his skills to better the team.
Peace out, Mike!
(Photo from Memphis Flyer) Iverson will start. Ditching Mike Conley to the bench, the number 4 draft pick in 2007, at least for the year that Iverson's on the team. Mike Conley had a good year, for a terrible, 24-win (rebuilding, however) Grizzly team. Playing in all 82 games, while starting 61 of them, he averaged 10.9 pts, 3.4 reb, 4.3 ast, 1.1 stl, 1.1 3ptm (on 40.6 3pt%) and 44.3% FG. But is he THE ANSWER? The answer is no.
Allen Iverson, as previously posted, is a diamond in the rough when it comes to popularity and realness, which in turn, helps sell his shoes, jerseys, and his teams' ticket sales. The Grizzlies, who rank 27th in team worth and lost $3.2 million dollars in operating income last year (Forbes). The $3.5 million that the Grizzlies signed Iverson to is pretty much what they had left under the salary cap.
On the other hand, if you read between the baselines, Iverson putting up starter numbers on a bad team on a one year contract the year before the free agency of 2010 comes when many teams will have plenty of cap space to sign stars, Iverson could be pulling a Stephen Jackson (signed with the Atlanta Hawks after winning a championship, put up nice numbers, is now getting paid $7-10 million a year for the next four years) and expecting to cash in next summer, maybe even with a championship contender.
On the Grizzlies' end, this will boost ticket sales and spike popularity in the team, before giving the reigns to OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay. They can't expect a 34-year-old AI to stay long term and be there for when this team expects to start becoming competitive. After this year, they'll give the PG duties back to Mike Conley if he's still around.
Until then the one year probable lineup is probably gonna look like
PG: Allen Iverson/Mike Conley SG: OJ Mayo SF: Rudy Gay PF: Zach Randolph C: Marc Gasol/Hasheem Thabeet (maybe vice versa)
That's a lot of scoring going on from two scoring guards, a scoring SF, a scoring PF, and a defensive center in Hasheem. Allen Iverson doesn't turn this bad team into a good team. Memphis still has no bench and is still rebuilding. AI will boost interest and sales, however. That's probably what the team wants, and that's probably what AI wants. There's little doubt that he will give it his all, whether it's because he wants to cash in next year, or because that's just the way he plays (when he starts, that is - Detroit Pistons...).
Now, will he make the all star team as a Grizzly? Fans vote, but he's more than likely not going to beat out Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant (although he beat out CP in 2008 when he was on a winning Denver team but we'll see how he plays this year...).
Those are the facts, and that's one way to read between the [base]lines.
(Photo from streetball) This is a continuation to the "Message to NBA Player Twitter Users," regarding being politically correct and always saying the right answer. Fading fast are those players who simply don't give a lick what you think about them and they are going to do their own thing no matter what. Inspired by Slam Magazine's article in issue 131 page 34 titled "Final Answer?"
It was AI, the rookie, who signaled a new period in '96-97, when he crossed over MJ and said, "My heroes don't wear suits." Like he'd say years later regarding the dress code, "just because you put a guy in a tuxedo, it doesn't mean he's a good guy. It sends a bad message to kids. If you don't have a suit on when you go to school, is the teacher going to think you're a bad kid? I never wore a suit going in any park I ever went to when I was coming up." -Dave Zirin, Slam Magazine
AI brought the hip hop culture to the NBA, and according to him, is the reason David Stern came up with the dress code. AI always wore what he wanted to wear with plenty of chains, du-rags to cover his cornrows, and baggy clothing. He did his own thing and didn't care what others thought about it.
Famous is his "practice" press conference in which he honestly felt it wasn't a big deal that he missed practice (in his 76ers days). Again, he was himself in the press conference and let his point be known without giving into the constant questions about his practice habits. This post isn't to defend AI about his practice habits, it's to show that he isn't afraid to let his real thoughts be known.
The NBA stars now are always saying the right things in press conferences, interviews, and the like. How many times have we heard after a game, "They played great defense, but we were able to come out on top thanks to some great play by our guys." One of the biggest stars to do this is Kobe Bryant. It seems like after every game, he always says what the player is "supposed" to say after a game. Here he is after Game 1 (win) of the Finals in the press conference.
"We need to forget about this win and move on." "We had to work hard, we were very active." "This team is extremely resilient." (The Magic) "It's one game. No big deal." Last question: "Do you feel like you can take advantage of this guy (Courtney Lee) at any opportunity that you so choose?" "No I don't think so, I think that's doing him a tremendous discredit, cuz even though he's a rookie, he's a very very solid defensive player."
Here's Kobe after an exhibition win over Russia.
"We played with more energy." "Just taking shots when they're there" "I enjoy the challenge of guarding him, he's a great scorer"
Same kind of answers that almost any news article after a game quotes from any player. Granted, Kobe has been in trouble in the past and knows that every word he says and every move he makes is being watched by almost any fan or hater. That doesn't take away the same kind of answers that any other team's star says.
Lebron James after game 4 win over the Hawks last playoffs.
"Delonte was awesome. He's our glue to our whole team." "You can't lose focus at any time" "Certain fans think it's a great idea for them to get out of control sometimes." "Celtics or Magic? Who would you prefer?" "We're looking forward to the challenge" (What NBA player has ever said they would prefer one team over another when they have to wait for the outcome of another series? Seriously, comment if someone has.) "We were able to stay poised, this is a really good team" (The Hawks). "Why should we celebrate? We're playing for a championship"
You see the similarities at least in approach to the questions being asked. Always being politically correct, always giving credit where it may not be due. Is Delonte really the glue that holds the team together? I think that credit goes to the speaker. And of course, probably any player would not take credit for himself, but the other questions where he carefully decides how he's going to phrase it shows that he knows he's being watched and knows how he must present himself. So goes the price of being one of the top super stars in the league.
But there are stars in the league who do have fewer filters and make for more enjoyable interviews where the fans can see how a player really feels and acts around a team regardless of whether or not there are cameras around.
#2 Rasheed Wallace
(Photo from bothteamsplayedhard) Rasheed Wallace for the past decade seems to always speak his mind and not care what the media or fans have to say about it. Also doing his own thing with his free dress before the dress code, but more well known for what he says both on and off the court. No matter what, he's going to say what he wants to.
Here's Rasheed Wallace after a Piston win over the Mavericks:
Q: "Chauncey was getting his buckets as well tonight..." Sheed: "'Bout time! Chauncey ain't hittin no damn shots, sike nah..." By the way, Chauncey in his previous 4 games had shot 5-16, 5-17, 3-10 and 2-10. This win over the Mavs, he shot 8-14.
Q: "Looking forward to going home tonight and playing in front of folks tomorrow?" Sheed: "Nah cuz now I gotta handle all these damn tickets."
Sheed was telling the real story and was candid and real about it. It is who he is to simply tell things how they are/how he sees it.
After a loss when he was a Blazer, and dealing with the usual open ended questions that any player would probably hate to answer after a tough loss, Rasheed did what any player wants to do after a loss and sidestep every question with the ultimate politically correct response, "Both teams played hard" and wrapped up with "God bless and good night."
Outside of the press, Sheed is known for being loud and obnoxious, and being a trash talker. He doesn't care how he's seen by the media. He's going to do his thing just like he's always done it. Whether it's trash talking to his teammates and the opposing team, trash talking the fans, or trash talking the refs' calls, Rasheed will make sure his real thoughts are known, which is becoming less and less common around the NBA. He also has fun with the TNT crew.
#3 Ron Artest
(Photo from hoopiquity) Great defensive player, great competitor, doesn't care what you think about him. Shaving Tru Warier, the Rockets logo, or the Kings logo in to his hair, openly giving out his phone number on twitter, supposedly announcing that the Lakers needed to be hoodalized, are all components that make Ron Artest one of the few that don't care what you think about him. He's going to say what he wants to say, and do what he wants to do.
Made infamous for his charging the fans in Detroit a few years ago, he has since calmed down but hasn't censored himself in interviews. Here he is after getting ejected for getting in Kobe's face during the Rockets-Lakers series this past playoffs.
"I KNEW I was gonna get a technical." "The point was to hopefully let the refs know that I'm pissed." "I went there with the intention to tell Kobe you gotta relax, you're hitting the wrong person, don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest." "The series has been physical, I don't know how much more physical it can get." And even the TNT crew praises his candid answers. No sweet answers like "I over reacted and I deserved to get ejected." He instead let his point be known and lived with the consequences. Real, candid, Artest.
Even more candid is when he takes us back 5 years later to his point of view of what happened that night at the Palace:
Ron just giving you his thoughts for you to digest without caring what you think about him. He's living his life however he wants to, telling his story, saying what he wants.
Read between the baselines:
It's not like these guys are all talk with no game. AI has been an MVP and 2 time all star MVP and leading scorer of the league. Rasheed Wallace was a main part of the Detroit Pistons that beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the championship in 2004. Ron Artest is an all defensive team defender and has a Defensive Player of the Year award as well. They have the walk to back up their talk.
Granted, these aren't the awards that Kobe Bryant has, nor are they the player that Kobe is or Lebron is, who are always being taped, watched, and listened to. But Iverson has had his share of #1 jersey sales and his own shoe line. He has things to lose, but it is his image that he's lived that sells jerseys, shoes and tickets. These big three are REAL both on and off the court, and that's something that sets them apart from the rest of the league and gives them their own image.
But it seems that the new batch of players from Brandon Roy (no Kobe is way better), to Dwight Howard (Free throws weren't falling) to Dwyane Wade (Leave it all on the floor) are saying the "right" thing to say in interviews and post game press conferences. AI, Sheed and Ron won't be around for too much longer, and while appreciating their game, maybe we should appreciate their candidness and their willingness to be themselves.
Those are the facts, and that's one way to read between the [base]lines.
(Photo from Washington Post) The Clippers, who have been the butt of most NBA related jokes seem to be maturing in front office decision making with some trades and of course, their number one draft pick. Could this be a turnaround season for them?
The Clippers had a good starting lineup last year. Baron Davis, Rookie Eric Gordon, Al Thornton, Zach Randolph, and Marcus Camby/Chris Kaman.
Injuries: Baron Davis missed 17 games, Marcus Camby missed 20 games, Chris Kaman missed 51 games, after Zach Randolph joined the team from the Tim Thomas/Cuttino Mobley trade 11 games into the season, he missed 34 games.
Compared to the top teams in the NBA, this isn't the greatest lineup, but it's serviceable and worth at least a little better than the 19 win season they put forward last year. But on those rare nights when they did have everyone healthy and able to play, their bench was nothing to brag about:
PG Mike Taylor (now waived), PF/C Brian Skinner (yikes), F Steve Novak (nice 3 pt shooter), F Mardy Collins (missed 32 games), SF Ricky Davis (missed 46 games) C Deandre Jordan (good pickup last year in 2nd round).
(Photo from Binary Basketball) But they've made some moves. They got a lucky bounce and won the Blake Griffin sweepstakes and now have a star to build around and already some nice complimentary young players in SG Eric Gordon (16.1 pts, 2.8 ast, 1.7 3PTM), Al Thornton (16.8 pts, 5.2 reb), and Deandre Jordan who produced well enough numbers for only 15 minutes a game (for 53 games). Add to that Baron Davis for four more years, Camby and Kaman playing Center, and finally...
Let's look at the salaries for these new additions:
Sebastian Telfair: Owed $2.5 million in 2009-2010 season, player option for $2.7 million in 2010-2011 Craig Smith: Owed $2.5 million in 2009-2010 season, FA in 2010 Mark Madsen: Owed $2.84 million in 2009-2010 season, FA in 2010
So the Clippers are off the hook for about 5 to 8 million dollars next year which is money they would probably use to help pay for Al Thornton's predicted long term contract (Team Option for 2010 and then will probably sign an extension). But that doesn't take away the fact that Telfair and Smith can PLAY. Madsen, although it's known he's a good locker room presence, you just don't trade for that kind of player who can't do much on the court. The $2.84 million off of the books for the Clippers will benefit them in 2010 and they will have a banger who can provide energy should they need it in "Mad Dog" Mark Madsen.
Other contract notes: Marcus Camby and Ricky Davis are FAs in 2010, good for another $10 million they can spend on another FA in the grand 2010 FA class.
Regarding Allen Iverson: (Photo from National Basketblog Association) Fact: The clippers were interested in Iverson and it was widely speculated that Donald Sterling, the Clippers' owner, wanted to sign him to sell tickets. It would have done so. Allen Iverson is fun to watch and an awesome player (and a future hall of famer), but it's just not what the Clippers need right now. Signing Iverson would stunt the growth of Eric Gordon who needs to play to become a better player, not watch Iverson try and take over games. The Clippers don't need Iverson. Dunleavy reportedly talked to Iverson about coming off the bench, a position he was insulted by in Detroit. Iverson wants to be a star, and Iverson as the star on the Clippers is not what the Clippers need.
The Clippers so far have not signed Iverson and if Yahoo Sports reporter Marc J. Spears is correct, their interest is fading. Donald Sterling has respectable team that if healthyshould definitely win more than the 19 games they won last year. Blake Griffin and Baron Davis can sell tickets. This isn't the old Elton Brand led Clippers anymore. These Clippers can run up and down the court and slam the ball like an in game dunk contest.
The decision to go away from Iverson (if it holds up) shows the Clippers' maturity and patience for a team that for the first time in a long time, has a future. No, the Clippers will probably not make the playoffs this year. But if healthy, can win more than 19 games.
Probable starting line up/bench:
PG: Baron Davis/Sebastian Telfair SG: Eric Gordon/Mardy Collins/Ricky Davis SF: Al Thornton/Craig Smith/Steve Novak PF: Blake Griffin/Chris Kaman/Craig Smith C: Marcus Camby/Chris Kaman/Deandre Jordan
Probable Coach: The Clippers should probably give Dunleavy two season to work with this young core. They've been patient, drafted wisely and added some good pieces. They just may need to wait a little bit more for Dunleavy to really bring out the best in this team, which may come in the 2010 season. But the 2009/2010 season sure has gotten off to a good start for the butt of most if not all NBA jokes.
Those are the facts. And that's one way to read between the [base]lines.
