October 30
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson says he's ready to run with the Grizzlies if the trainers give him permission. And MRI results put Iverson closer to his goal Thursday morning when he was cleared to participate in a full-contact practice. But while Griz coach Lionel Hollins said the workout was encouraging, his understanding is that Iverson's return is targeted for Monday when the team plays at Sacramento. So the Griz are expected to be without the 10-time all-star guard for tonight's game with the Toronto Raptors at FedExForum. "I felt good," Iverson said. "It was a regular day of practice for me. I didn't feel any pain. I didn't feel fatigued to not be able to get through it. I'm ready to play. It's up to ..."
October 27
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson, wearing a white T-shirt and baggy blue shorts, sank seven straight set shots from the right elbow, each attempt eliciting cheers from an enthusiastic crowd before an open scrimmage at Memphis University School eight days ago. It was a rare public viewing of Iverson in action this preseason: He missed all eight of the Grizzlies' exhibition games, a partial tear in his left hamstring limiting him to the training room and a spot at the end of the bench. And that was where he planted himself when his teammates began playing without him at MUS, a good 40 feet of high school hardwood separating him from coach Lionel Hollins, who figures to own one of the most challenging jobs in ..."
October 14
Memphis Commercial Appeal
columnist Scot Cacciola
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Allen Iverson called his wife after the second day of Grizzlies training camp and shared some unsettling news: His hamstrings were tight. He sensed something was wrong. At 34, he knew his body. And no matter how much he practiced at Birmingham Southern College, his legs refused to loosen up. He realized this was the result of a long summer of relative inactivity. Fearful of injury before he signed a deal, he had held himself out of pickup games and largely limited himself to shooting drills — a good idea, in theory. But on the sixth day of camp, during an open scrimmage that doubled as his public unveiling with his new team, Iverson felt his left hamstring pop when he tried to change ..."
October 8
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson will miss three weeks with a partial tear in his left hamstring, the Grizzlies announced before Wednesday's preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That means Iverson will be sidelined for the rest of the preseason -- and his availability for the team's regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 28 is in jeopardy. "Very disappointing," said Iverson, a 10-time NBA All-Star and one of the team's key offseason acquisitions. "My whole thing is trying to make something positive out of a negative situation, and the way I see it is, I'm glad it's happening right now than during the season. So that's the only positive I can take out of the whole situation." ..."
October 7
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson will have an MRI today because of a strained left hamstring that forced him to sit out Tuesday when the Grizzlies began their exhibition schedule against the Washington Wizards. Iverson's preseason debut will be delayed again tonight as the veteran guard will miss the Grizzlies' preseason home opener against Oklahoma City in FedExForum. Iverson said this is the first time he has experienced a strained hamstring. His absence is not simply a precautionary measure. "I can't go," Iverson said. "If it was Game 7 of the (NBA) Finals, I wouldn't be able to go." Iverson tweaked the hamstring during Sunday's scrimmage at the Grizzlies' training camp in Birmingham. He didn't practice ..."
October 6
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson's preseason debut as a Grizzly has been delayed by injury. He'll miss tonight's game against the Washington Wizards in Richmond, Va., because of a strained left hamstring. The team says he'll also miss Wednesday night's preseason home opener against Oklahoma City at FedExForum. Tonight's game was a homecoming for the 10-time all-star, who grew up in Hampton, Va."
October 6
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson had been wearing a Grizzlies practice jersey for all of two hours when coach Lionel Hollins, surrounded by television cameras and notebook-toting reporters, asked the media a question of his own: "Are you going to ask me about him after every practice?" That was eight days ago at Birmingham Southern College, where the Grizzlies held training camp and came to the slow realization that things were different now, that their anonymous existence as a struggling, small-market franchise was over. Iverson, a future Hall of Famer, has changed all that. It is a coincidence that Iverson's official public unveiling as a member of the Grizzlies will play out tonight in Richmond, Va., a ..."
October 2
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson spent his third day of training camp with the Grizzlies being vocal on the court as the team held spirited scrimmages. Iverson, a 34-year-old veteran, delivered some choice words off the court, too. But Iverson's comments were directed at his former team. Iverson told ESPN columnist Scoop Jackson that former Detroit Pistons head coach Michael Curry "lied" to him about coming off the bench instead of starting. "They told me, straight up, 'Allen we would never disrespect you or your career like that' by making me come off the bench," Iverson said in an interview with ESPN.com. "That's what they told me to my face. And after that, I never thought about it again. I just went back ..."
September 29
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson showed up 20 minutes early for Grizzlies Media Day and strolled through the grand lobby at FedExForum with his business manager and right-hand man, Gary Moore. The place was empty, but the hallways that led to the court were blocked by locked gates. Moore got on his cell phone. "Where are we supposed to go?" he asked. "Is there an elevator?" And so the learning process begins for the new-look Grizzlies, who got poked and prodded by reporters and photographers before boarding a bus bound for Birmingham on Monday afternoon. Training camp starts today, which Iverson and his teammates expect to be all about business under coach Lionel Hollins. But there also seems to be some ..."
September 23
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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It's been two weeks since Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley signed all-star guard Allen Iverson to a free-agent contract. And Heisley still is daydreaming about the once seemingly improbable feat. Somebody pinch him. "I might end up with egg on my face. And if he turns out to be great, I'm not sure anybody will pat me on the back. But there's no way I wasn't going to try to get Allen Iverson," Heisley said this afternoon during a talk with the Memphis Rotary Club. "Allen Iverson will be a big asset to this team. I'm willing to put myself out on this." While Heisley boasts about the grandest player acquisition in franchise history, Iverson is wrapping up an eight-day Reebok promotional tour ..."
September 13
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson and his teammates from Bethel High celebrated their Virginia state basketball title in 1992 by stopping at a barbecue joint in Richmond. Iverson had averaged 31.1 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as a junior that season. And over ribs and pulled pork, he began to chirp. "I think I can take Michael 1-on-1," he announced to his teammates and coaches. Allen Iverson and his teammates from Bethel High celebrated their Virginia state basketball title in 1992 by stopping at a barbecue joint in Richmond. Iverson had averaged 31.1 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as a junior that season. And over ribs and pulled pork, he began to chirp. "I think I can take Michael 1-on-1," he ..."
September 11
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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NBA commissioner David Stern has often said Grizzlies fans struggling with the team's string of losing seasons just need some luck. "I think they got lucky," Stern said Thursday, reacting to the arrival of 10-time All-Star Allen Iverson in Memphis. "A bona-fide star and future Hall of Famer who still has lots of game left is going to prove to be a significant and helpful addition to the Grizzlies." Stern spoke with The Commercial Appeal while traveling to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Springfield, Mass. He acknowledged Iverson's experience as a key factor in advancing the Grizzlies' rebuilding plan. The addition of Iverson gives the Grizzlies an NBA-high four ..."
September 10
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Allen Iverson officially signed on as a free agent with the Grizzlies this morning, and within minutes the All-Star guard found out that Memphis approves in a big way. Several city dignitaries, a number of Iverson's new teammates and more than 100 fans filled the FedExForum grand lobby, loudly cheering the arrival of a 10-time all star, four-time NBA scoring champ and the biggest player acquisition in Grizzlies history. Iverson wore a white collared shirt, a blue Grizzlies cap and a toothy grin as he took the stage for an introductory press conference. He sat with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins to discuss his one-year deal worth ..."
September 9
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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The answer is yes. Free-agent guard Allen Iverson informed the Grizzlies this morning that he will accept a one-year offer to bring his explosive scoring to FedExForum this season, according to an NBA source. Iverson’s decision came following a Monday night meeting in Atlanta with Griz owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins. Iverson, a 34-year-old, 13-year veteran, will play for a contract that pays $3.5 million (what the Griz have left under the salary cap) and the deal will be loaded with incentives. Iverson confirmed his decision on Twitter. "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career," he wrote. "I met with Mr. Heinsley, ..."
July 9
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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While one Grizzlies transaction is on hold, another potential deal -- once seemingly improbable -- could be nearing completion. Although neither team has reneged, an agreed-upon trade between Memphis and the Los Angeles Clippers that would put power forward Zach Randolph in a Grizzlies uniform wasn't made official Wednesday for several reasons ranging from accounting to player physicals. Meanwhile, All-Star guard Allen Iverson could be donning a Grizzlies uniform any minute. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley wants to meet with Iverson and is seriously considering a one-year, $5 million offer, according to team insiders. Heisley's renewed interest presents a sudden turn of events, given that ..."
July 3
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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To a degree, an Allen Iverson-Heat marriage makes sense. For years, Pat Riley has run a last-chance saloon. But it's not going to happen the first week of free-agent negotiations. It's not going to happen at the July 8 start of the free-agent signing period. And it's not going to happen until after the July 12 window opens for Dwyane Wade to be eligible to sign an extension. Iverson makes sense because Iverson may not have many other options. But until the Knicks spend their mid-level exception, until Larry Brown gets an official rejection from Bobcats management, and until the remaining precious little cap space around the league is spent, Iverson doesn't have to move to Plan B. ..."