-
News
-
Iverson, Grizz part ways
November 16, 2009
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The Allen Iverson experiment with the Memphis Grizzlies is over.
Memphis announced Monday that the team has ended its one-year contract with the 10-time all-star and former league MVP in what it called a mutual agreement. Iverson began an indefinite leave of absence on Nov. 7 to deal with a personal issue after playing only three games with the Grizzlies, all in California.
"Because of personal matters that forced him to leave the team on November 7, Allen will step away from the game at this time, allowing him to focus on those matters," general manager Chris Wallace said in a statement. "As a result, we will be ending our contractual agreement with Allen, which will allow both parties to move forward. We wish Allen the best."
The Grizzlies will waive Iverson but the team had not done that as of Monday night.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press on his cellphone. Iverson, who announced he was headed to Memphis on his Twitter account, hasn't posted any updates there since Nov. 2 when he played his first game with the Grizzlies.
Memphis owner Michael Heisley told the AP last week he would be happy to trade Iverson to another team if a better deal came along.
Few NBA teams had shown interest in the 34-year-old guard before Memphis signed him to a one-year, incentive-laden contract on Sept. 10. Memphis fans greeted the biggest star ever to play for the Grizzlies with a big crowd for his introductory news conference and eagerly bought up his No. 3 jersey, though he wound up never playing a game on the team's home court.
Iverson didn't help himself much during his short stint with his fourth NBA team. He missed the pre-season with a partially torn left hamstring and didn't debut with the Grizzlies until Nov. 2 at Sacramento.
Immediately, Iverson began talking about his distaste for coming off the bench and being on a rebuilding team filled with youth from Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo to recent draft picks Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll.
The four-time NBA scoring champ became the 16th player in league history to score 24,000 points in his career in his second game against Golden State. He played against the Lakers in Los Angeles, where he also met with Heisley before being given permission to take an indefinite leave.
But the Grizzlies got tired of waiting for Iverson to decide what to do next.
They signed point guard Jamaal Tinsley on Saturday for some much-needed help with the Grizzlies struggling at 2-8 this season.
-
Recent Headlines
- NBA players, owners fail to reach deal
- Kobe working intensely on deal with Bologna
- Little time left for NBA owners, players
- Crittenton freed on bond in murder case
- Sabonis in stable condition after heart attack
- Heat's Big Three organize charity game
- Atlanta judge grants bond to Crittenton
- NBA players not looking overseas yet
- No. 1 pick Irving back in school during lockout
- NBA postpones camps, cancels games
- Storify: The effects of the NBA lockout
- Ray Allen ready to give up NBA season
- NBA rookies put on show as lockout continues
- Nuggets FA Martin to play in China
-
PTS: What is Colangelo looking for?
-
My Headlines
Stories from your favourite teamsedit [?]
- Puck Money: Value in forking out at NHL arenas
- Burke: Kings not a typical 8th-place team
-
Nonis: Leafs plan to acquire veteran goalie
- Habs officially name Dudley assistant GM
- Leafs sign Granberg to entry level deal
-
Marlies blank Barons to close in on AHL final
- Frattin scores twice; Marlies take Game 3
- Dudley's deal with Habs nearly finalized
- Scrivens gets shutout as Marlies blank Barons
- Marlies, Barons prepare for goalie battle
