Allen Iverson retires, unretires, then signs with Sixers

[Fresh8]

If and when he returns, I hope that's what happens; that he and Hollins can iron it all out without sniping through the media and that whatever happens from here on out, AI can finish his career with some semblence of dignity.

As one writer put it... if Iverson comes back and plays good, he could win himself a contract with a contender next season. That's what I think a lot of people want to see, not how he puts it, 'A lot of y'all want me to fall.'

[Andrew]

I don't know, I think he has a point. As popular as AI is, I'm sure there are a lot of people who want him to fall flat on his face and feel he deserves it. If that's what motivates him, fair enough I say.

[Jeffx]

AI should have come to the Knicks. He could start and dominate the ball all he wants. It wouldn't have hurt our cap, plus he'd bring some excitement back to MSG.

[Fresh8]

Were the Knicks even interested in him?

[Andrew]

According to a snippet I saw on RealGM yesterday or the day before, they apparently have no interest.

[Dan's Brain]

The Grizzlies are now looking elsewhere to fill their emotionally damaged guard quota.

ENTER: Jamaal Tinsley.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4654711

A little more than a week into Allen Iverson's leave of absence, the Memphis Grizzlies appear to be looking elsewhere for veteran help in their backcourt.

The Grizzlies have begun serious negotiations with free agent Jamaal Tinsley, and could sign the veteran as early as Saturday, The Commercial Appeal of Memphis has reported.

Tinsley, who missed all of last season and much of 2007-08, was in Memphis on Saturday working toward terms for a contract, the newspaper reported.

The team is also expected to meet with Delonte West, Ruben Patterson and J.R. Rider [/untrue bit]

[Andrew]

Funny you should mention Rider, apparently he's on the comeback trail. From what I read there hasn't been any serious interest though and he's indicated that he considers Europe an option if he can't latch on with an NBA team.

[Dan's Brain]

He'd have to be edging towards his late 30s by now, wouldn't he? Guys that age can still make an impact, of course, but given that he's been away from the game so long... He'd probably be a little bit Vin Bakeresque.

[Martti.]

And hey, Marbury plans to com back next season so Memphis can pick him up next season.

[Andrew]

He'd have to be edging towards his late 30s by now, wouldn't he? Guys that age can still make an impact, of course, but given that he's been away from the game so long... He'd probably be a little bit Vin Bakeresque.

Just checked; he's 38, turning 39 next March. I'm guessing for him it would be finishing a season/his career without being waived, more than making a huge impact.

Meanwhile, seems the Tinsley signing is a done deal.

[Fresh8]

Iverson, Grizzlies part ways

[Lamrock]

Damn. I expected it to last twice as long!

[Andrew]

Experiment over, and we're still left to draw our own conclusions as to what really happened. Clearly they didn't think they'd be able to resolve the situation though.

[NovU]

Somehow, I think this happened too soon and too quickly, giving me the feeling that Iverson never was given a fair chance which AI thought was getting when he was signing with the team. I know I can't really blame the Grizzlies either since they had different plans with him at the time of signing. I guess mis communication was the biggest cause that led to this, but at the same time, it's just frustrating to see AI still being reluctant to admitting he's not the same AI who led Phillies to the finals back in the days. I really wanted to see him rejuvenating his career with each different teams in past few years but it sucks to say that it never worked out for both the teams and AI.

[Lightning Strike]

If another team was to sign him this year, who would it be?

Shame that he left the Grizzlies though, If I was a Memphis fan I'd be pretty disappointed with how the whole thing turned out.

[J@3]

I think the Knicks have been interested in the past. He's got the Larry Brown connection at Charlotte. Then there's Boston who'll sign anyone. He'd probably start in the first two teams, the third would be tricky but I'd imagine the shot at a championship would make it easier on him.

[Andrew]

Walsh has confirmed an interest in him, so the Knicks would be my pick at the moment.

[kingjames23]

why not a return to the city of brotherly love?

[Andrew]

Doesn't seem like there's a lot of interest from the Sixers.

[shadowgrin]

Not with the Sixers' "PG of the future" (Lou Williams) finally delivering.

[Andrew]

Not to mention Iguodala established as the team's star.

[Lamrock]

I think AI would actually be a decent fit, since the Sixers don't seem to be going anywhere anyway. Iguodala is a small forward, plain and simple. His play style fits that position far more than it fits the 2. As bad of a rap as he's picked up lately, Iverson is an upgrade over Willie Green. A Williams-AI-Iggy-Brand-Dalembert starting 5 doesn't look to shabby.

[Lightning Strike]

Has there been any news about AI since? I haven't seen anything, the NBA media just suddenly stopped about the issue.

[Andrew]

It seems the Knicks abruptly changed their minds about AI, so he's back to where he was in the offseason.

[Lightning Strike]

Ahh Knicks... Well we should always trust how New York have handled their players, right?