AI becoming untouchable?

**BRNC** · 11-08-2009 09:16 AM

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/pos...ure-in-memphis

I can put aside my personal feelings about this guy...I really think it is sad that anyone with this much talent can't put his team and teammates above his ego...I'm so glad we did not sign him...

**BETCATS** · 11-08-2009 02:25 PM

I would be pissed too if the guy starting over me was averaging 8 points on a terrible field goal % and 6 assists a game in 32 minutes. Conley has been in the NBA for 3 years and still hasnt gotten his shit together. If i were Allen Iverson, i too would be insulted that he was starting over me.

I dont blame Iverson as much as i blame the Memphis front office for signing him. They knew what type of attitude he had, they knew he wanted to use this season to prove to the world that "Allen Iverson is still a legit star". Iverson didnt think they brought him in to sit on the bench behind some guy that sucks, he expected to start and help the team win.

Iverson's flaw in handling the situation is what is getting him all the negative attention. The fact that he cant put his ego aside is something everybody is focusing on. Iverson doesnt feel he needs to put his ego aside because Mike Conley doesnt deserve to start over him. As wrong as that may be for Iverson to refuse to sit down/shut up/support the team, that is the situation.

But does a guy who is one the best NBA players from the past 10 years really need to sit down/shut up/support the team(which isnt a winning team and has no shot at the playoffs with/without him), or does he have a point/need to be playing to help the team win a few more games than it will going at the pace they are currently going?

**WarioVsMooChicken** · 11-08-2009 05:37 PM

Except Conley has a future with the franchise with his potential and age and AI...uhh doesn't. They aren't in win now mode, they are in "Let's get better for the future" mode. So yea, obviously they should start Conley.

AI needs to get over it.

**BETCATS** · 11-08-2009 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by WarioVsMooChicken

Except Conley has a future with the franchise with his potential and age and AI...uhh doesn't. They aren't in win now mode, they are in "Let's get better for the future" mode. So yea, obviously they should start Conley.

AI needs to get over it.

I agree. They should try and develop Conley. But this brings the overlying question back: why did they sign Iverson in the first place? They knew he will never be a 6th man to anybody, so why try and turn him into one? Iverson is reacting in a way that he seems angered. I dont think Iverson would put himself in a situation where he would end up angry. I having a feeling the Grizzlies decived Iverson with false promises of playing time in order to sign him/get all the ticket sales and merchandise sales that followed.

**Keetch** · 11-08-2009 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by BETCATS

But this brings the overlying question back: why did they sign Iverson in the first place? They knew he will never be a 6th man to anybody, so why try and turn him into one?

Because they're dumb?

Originally Posted by BETCATS

Iverson is reacting in a way that he seems angered. I dont think Iverson would put himself in a situation where he would end up angry. I having a feeling the Grizzlies decived Iverson with false promises of playing time in order to sign him/get all the ticket sales and merchandise sales that followed.

...rationalizing the Grizzlies actions is probably giving them too much credit.

Iverson seems capable of being just as dumb as the Grizz. This would be hysterical if it wasn't so sad.

**davcbow** · 11-08-2009 08:52 PM

Seems like if AI wanted to play for another team that said team would have him by the nars to play like they wanted him to play or he could sit on the bench....

**ohara831** · 11-08-2009 10:32 PM

I think whether they misled him or there was a misunderstanding, AI is making it clear that he is not able to play in this league anymore. He doesn't have the patience or the need to be a team player. He needs to be "the man", and he wont be again. I think this leave of absence leads to his retirement.