What’s next for Iverson and Memphis?
Uh oh, heeere we go again.
After all kinds of hoopla concerning Iverson’s move from Detroit to Memphis this 2009 NBA basketball season, A.I. Found out that he’s still coming off the bench, the very thing that led to his divorce with the Pitsons.
You read it, Allen Iverson, at least for the first weeks of the season, is still relegated to a bench warmer after refusing to come off the bench last season for Detroit and as far as A.I. is concerned, he ain’t happy.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, 
Allen Iverson voiced out his displeasure with his nonstarting role with the Memphis Grizzlies, saying that he’s ”not a sixth man.” Iverson also said, ”I had no problems [with the hamstring]. I had a problem with my butt sitting on that bench for so long.”
”I’m not a bench player. I’m not a sixth man,” he continued. ”Look at my resume and that’ll show I’m not a sixth man. I don’t think it has anything to do with me being selfish. It’s just who I am. I don’t want to change what gave me all the success that I’ve had since I’ve been in this league. I’m not a sixth man. And that’s that.”
Haven’t we heard that when he was playing for the Detroit Pistons last year?
Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins has made it clear that Iverson is STILL coming off the bench, no matter how much the player complains about being utilized as a reserve. And since the team owner is backing up the head coach, Iverson better get on with the program or the Grizzlies will send him packing too.
”Lionel will handle it,” Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said. ”This is a situation that’ll be handled between Lionel and Allen. What Allen said was inappropriate, but I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. Allen expressed his frustration about not playing and I understand that.”
”It’s up to the coach to handle these issues,” Heisley added.
Coach Hollins said Iverson’s minutes will increase as the season progresses but he’s still trying to figure out how to insert Iverson into the backcourt rotation of O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley.
And unfortunately for Iverson, both Mayo and Conley are playing a lot better.
Which team will win the 2010 NBA Finals? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the early odds.
Orlando Magic 7-1
Boston Celtics 5-1
Denver Nuggets 12-1
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