Flashback to June 6th, 2001…
Allen Iverson is THE MAN.
Iverson has recently been named the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player. The Philadelphia 76ers have just shocked the Basketball world by beating the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the NBA Finals… In LA and in Overtime! Iverson has just been named to the All-NBA First Team for the second time, has led the League in scoring AND steals.
The NBA is his oyster.
Since that day we have seen Allen Iverson’s teams go for a combined 313-345 record… and a .475 winning percentage. Now I know there has been injuries to go along with the numerous examples of a “can’t be bothered” attitude that is sometimes displayed. But facts are facts, the product is the product. If the Memphis Grizzlies are about to sign the guy who has a shiny high-chair reserved for him in the Hall of Fame.. then they need to know what they’re getting.
Now let’s look at the Memphis Grizzlies…
Obviously on June 6th 2001, this franchise was in off-season mode. Strangely enough, the entire franchise was also packing its collective bags for Memphis. The Grizzlies had left the city of Vancouver behind… along with the haunting memories of Blue Edwards, Bryant Reeves, Alvin Robertson and some uniforms that made Dikembe Mutombo’s only signature shoe look stylish.
Since that day of “rejuvenation”, the Memphis Grizzlies have experienced the following:
So what will the possible marriage between Allen Iverson bring that is not completely predictable?
We have a former superstar who is on the final years of a large decline, and we have a perennially retarded franchise that has more direction changes than a broken GPS system. It figures to be another season of folly as this Memphis team not only harbors young new talent, but also has to find a way to convince players in their final year of contract that another 35 win season is “building towards something”.
If I’m Rudy Gay or OJ Mayo.. I’m getting my agent on deck NOW… working the phones and trying to find me a new home as soon as possible.
And as for Mr. Iverson, well it doesn’t appear that there’s much else out there for him.
Memphis are still looking for a King for their Graceland… but unfortunately it looks as though the most exciting thing they’re getting is Mrs. Iverson in a Grizzlies jersey. For now.
