Iverson off to rocky start with Memphis
November 7, 2009
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Even Allen Iverson(notes) is worried whether his tumultuous debutweek with the Memphis Grizzlies has poisoned his relationship with anothercoach.
Iverson came off the bench for Memphis for the third straight game Fridaynight, scoring eight points in 22 minutes during the Grizzlies’ 114-98 loss tothe Los Angeles Lakers.
The 10-time All-Star says he has no interest in being a reserve or playingfor a rebuilding team, and he immediately made his displeasure public withseveral barbed comments in the days following his season debut Monday.
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins says he understands his new veteran guard’sperspective, but even Iverson thinks the two are off to a rocky start.
Related Coverage Play Fantasy Basketball 09
“I think that’s probably the worst part of all this,” Iverson said Friday.“That while all this is going on, we have never talked to each other. That’sprobably why it’s at this point right now. We’ve just never had a conversation,so it’s probably going to always be hard for me and him to see eye-to-eye,because we’ve never even talked to each other. Obviously that’s what you do ifyou’re trying to accomplish the same goal.”
Before and after the Grizzlies’ fourth straight loss, Iverson showed bemusedfrustration at the trouble his words have caused since he returned from a tornright hamstring. Yet he doesn’t back down from them: The Answer wants to start,and he also insists nobody told him the Grizzlies would be rebuilding after a24-58 season.
And Iverson, who was passed by Kobe Bryant(notes) for 16th place on the NBA’scareer scoring list Friday night, apparently doesn’t feel it’s his job to figureout a role in which he can help the Grizzlies.
“I’m not trying to figure out how to contribute to no team,” Iverson said.“I contribute to a team by just playing. That’s it. I don’t have to figure itout. Obviously, they signed me for a reason. They’ve been watching me play thisgame for 13 years, and they know what I do on the basketball court, so I don’thave to figure out how I’m going to play or anything like that. I just go outand play basketball.”
Iverson believes his comments have caused a stir mostly because of his longhistory of provocative opinions and actions, from his infamous disdain forpractice to a few lesser stirs in Denver and Detroit last season.
“When I hear anything about the Memphis Grizzlies, I don’t hear you guys(media) talk about anything other than the situation with me coming off thebench,” Iverson said. “I mean, there’s got to be something else with this teamto talk about besides that. But I guess that sells a lot better than anythingelse when it comes to this team.”
Before the game, Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley shook hands with Iverson inthe locker room Friday night and could be heard chatting about plans for ameeting with the veteran guard.
Heisley, who flew into Los Angeles earlier in the day, backed Hollins in theperceived dispute this week, saying the coach would handle the Grizzlies’rotation and calling Iverson’s comments “inappropriate,” according to TheCommercial Appeal.
“Do I say all the right things all the time? I doubt it,” Iverson said.“But the ultimate goal is to win games. That’s the only thing it’s about.”
Hollins refused to speak about Iverson earlier in the week, but said Fridayhe has no problem with Iverson’s pointed words. He also doesn’t intend to have aspecial chat with Iverson.
“Every player has his opinion of his self-worth and what he expects, but Ihave to coach the whole team,” Hollins said. “There’s no need to talk to A.I.He’s a competitor, and we’re going to be fine. … He has a right to say what hewants to say, and I have a right to say what I want.”
Iverson got his first game action with the Grizzlies on Monday night inSacramento, and he played 27 minutes off the bench against Golden State onWednesday. Iverson entered Friday’s game with 6:36 left in the first quarter,but played sparingly and spent much of the night yapping at the officials fromthe bench with a towel over his head.
“It’s something that I never did in my life, so obviously it’s a bigadjustment,” Iverson said of coming off the bench.
Memphis has one of the NBA’s most intriguing young backcourts with MikeConley(notes) and O.J. Mayo(notes), but that talent hasn’t translated into many victories. TheGrizzlies have endured three straight losing seasons with 68 total victoriesfollowing three straight trips to the playoffs.
Hollins realizes Iverson’s role easily could change depending on injuriesand the starters’ effectiveness, but he doesn’t seem inclined to promise astarting job to Iverson or any player.
“Roles change, positions change,” Hollins said. “He’s a prideful personthat believes in himself. Every player wants to play a starting role, and aplayer of his caliber especially.”
Comments
Got something to say?