Where is Allen Iverson going???

[Null17]

I think you mean Thabeet not Hibbert.

[Martti.]

Fixed.

[George7]

So Memphis it is...The last good year and maybe an All-star year too for AI

[Marek]

YES YES YES YES!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S TRUE! Go Go Grizzlies!

[Lamrock]

He can go somewhere where his PPG average is higher than the team's season win total.

[Andrew]

It doesn't seem it will benefit Gay or Mayo all that much, but it seems like a decent career move for AI. It should give him the opportunity to have a respectable individual year and a shot at scoring a reasonable two or three year deal next year, probably with someone who completely misses out on all the younger big names in the 2010 free agency class.

[NovU]

I really want to see rejuvenated Allen Iverson. I hope he's matured enough to be an OK mentor for young teammates now. At the same time, I'm really interested to see what kind of numbers he will put up in stat sheet. I agree with Andrew that this might not benefit Gay or Mayo that much, but maybe lastest lessons at Detroit and Denver taught him something. Anyways, it's good that he didn't retire just yet.

[benji]

Usage Rates:
Zach Randolph: 28.4%
Allen Iverson: 25.9%
Rudy Gay: 25.6%
O.J. Mayo: 24.5%

Can't wait.

[Null17]

I wonder who'll get a higher PPG average.

[Dan's Brain]

Prediction: Mark Gasol to lead the NBA in Offensive Rebounds.

Anyone want to take bets as to when Lionel Hollins is made a scapegoat and fired?

Mine: December 14th

[Andrew]

Based on last year's coaching dismissals, I'll say earlier than that. November 18th.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

dang, I haven't been on here in a long time.

well here's my prediction:

-grizz win 35-42 games (until i see them in pre-season action)
-hollins will be the coach for the entire season

for the people that thought oj and rudy was enough scoring, memphis was 29th in the league in scoring last year. they were also last in the league in attendance. they were also one of the worse rebounding teams in the league. those areas will improve this season. this wasn't my ideal off-season, but it will definitely be fun to watch.

from what i've seen from z-bo, he's been working really hard since the trade and the team is dangerous on paper. it will take alot for it to work, but i believe its possible. out of every 100 fans in memphis, there are about 5 fans that don't like the move. i would much rather have AI come off the bench because Memphis has no scoring off the bench. i'm sure something will be worked out by the end of training camp though.

conley/iverson/marcus williams
mayo/sam young/jaric
gay/carroll
randolph/arthur
gasol/thabeet/haddadi

gasol lost weight. gay impressed at the usa camp and gained around 15 pounds of muscle. randolph is in shape. mayo has been impressive. should be an interesting season nevertheless.

[Andrew]

Welcome back, Mafia! If you've forgotten your old login details, shoot me an email and I'll get you a new password.

[nextnba]

Everyone is making predictions so I'll make some too. I predict that AI will be the starting PG after two weeks of basektball. I predict that AI will score over 20pts and 7-8 assist, 2 steal. What a steal for Memphis for 3 mil! This is the best move I've seen a team make tus far. Not only is AI going to bring talent and skills but he's going to sell tickets and boost their economy. So he doesn't want to play a specific role, so he wants playing mins. Big deal, he is still one of the top guards in the NBA right now. I live in WI and stupid Milwaukee Bucks for not making him an offer. They got no PG and AI would have been a steal at anything less than 5mil. Other teams are stupid too! NBA GMs are stupid these days. How do we get their job anyway? I cane make these kind of stupid decisions too!

[Andrew]

It's not always a question of talent, sometimes it's a question of chemistry. Even at a bargain price, a player like Allen Iverson doesn't fit everyone's plans.

[nextnba]

Andrew, are you suggesting that the NBA actually cares about othet things than making money. Silly for me thinking that making money was all that matter..hmmm...didn't the lakers sign Artist over Ariza...Hmmm..wasn't it Artist and Kobe who are almost killed each other in the playoff...hmm...maybe I wasn't too silly then...

[Andrew]

Cynicism and sarcasm aside, yes, that is what I'm suggesting.

[Lamrock]

nextnba, You're are a moron.

[benji]

nextnba, You're are a moron.

Quoted for posterity.

[WebberF1]

Go Grizzlies. At least there are two others lol.

Like bhzmafia14 (you post on official forum don't you?) I think Hollins will coach all season, and that Conley will start. Heisley is too much of a tight ass to buy out another coach, and Hollins is like a lap dog and won't argue things like higher profile coaches will. If they removed him, they'd have to find another coach who can do the same role. Higher coaches won't want to join until the Grizzlies show they can win some games.

I'm less worried about Gay/Mayo and more worried about Conley because they are proven good players and Conley is in that fragile middleground between good player and bust. And one thing that top pick rookies need to prove they aren't a bust is minutes on the floor but now AI is in town. If AI comes off the bench he will be expected to score and he will dominate the backups from the other team, despite his age and on the nights when he is playing well he will finish games strong. Possible 6th man of the year? Manu, JR Smith, Jason Terry.. there's lots of players that are deadly in this role. AI can still ball but is undersized and aging and instead of stealing touches and shots from the other starters, on the bench it would be a good thing if he forces up some shots and gets some rhythm. Like Andrew said, chemistry is the biggest issue.

[NovU]

AI wanted a team where he can start plus a major role, and not to start from the bench. Heisley talked Iverson into signing with Grizzlies and I don't think bench role is what he promised Iverson, so Conley over Iverson is not possible, at least it seems that way for now. He'd rather retire than benching, like he said. What makes you think he'll be nice enough to yield a starting role to Conley and still be happy?

[Andrew]

so Conley over Iverson is not possible

I'd say the possibility is there, but I would certainly agree that it's seemingly unlikely given AI's previous remarks (as you noted).

The thought occurs that this Grizzlies team is going to be one that doesn't click (or win) much in real life but is going to be great for those playing NBA video games where the user can overcome the personality/chemistry issues that will surely exist in real life and put all their individual talents to use, or wheel and deal thanks to most of the starting five having decent ratings. Either way, I think the virtual Grizzlies will fare a lot better this year than their real life counterparts.

[Al Ka Pwn]

When is the last time having Iverson on your team has been a factor?

[Valor]

When is the last time having Iverson on your team has been a factor?

the last game he actually started and played significant minutes in, before Michael Curry decided to start Rodney Stuckey and Rip Hamilton over the future HOF player...as well as giving Will Bynum a bigger role then him...

[J@3]

The guy started 53 of their 57 games and they lost 30 of them. He meant a positive factor, not a "jesus get him off my team" factor.