Out of the spotlight, can Iverson fit in?
It seems all of Memphis is anxious to see what Allen Iverson will bring. Especially the kids who grew up idolizing him, of which there are many inside the Grizzlies' own locker room.
"Oh, yeah," said O.J. Mayo. "I'd check him out, then go outside and try all his moves. He was one of my favorite players. A.I. was the man."
Realizing how past-tense that sounded, Mayo quickly corrected himself. "He's still the man," he added.
Iverson signed a one-year deal, going from making $22 million to $3.1 million, and he had to grovel for that, a hard pill for anyone to swallow. Nobody was desperate to have him, which led him to a place he clearly would rather not be, given a choice. What veteran player would? Memphis is coming off 22- and 24-win seasons and banking on youth to bail itself out. And Iverson, of course.
Iverson is competing directly against point guard Mike Conley, the fourth overall pick two years ago. Conley averaged a surprising 14.5 points and 5.6 assists after the All-Star break last season. That was after the Grizzlies traded Kyle Lowry, a threat to Conley's starting job. And now here's Iverson, who loves his minutes; only once since his second season has he averaged less than 40 a game.
Iverson also works best with the ball in his hands, which gives him something in common with Conley, Mayo, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay. Have we forgotten anyone?
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