Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson is back on Twitter this morning, saying: “I will play tonight against the Sacramento Kings.”
There’s no official word from the team on Iverson’s status, but it has been said for about a week now that tonight’s game was the target for his Grizzlies debut.
Iverson suffered a partial hamstring tear near the end of training camp, and missed the entire preseason schedule, along with the first three games of the regular season. A. I. told the Commercial Appeal late last week he feels fine, and is waiting to play out of an abundance of caution. Hamstring injuries are notorious for feeling fully healed before the really are. Numerous players in all pro sports have re-aggravated hamstring injuries by trying to come back too quickly.
Iverson’s return will almost certainly begin off the bench, which is where many believe he would be most useful anyway. Expect him to be rusty, and to need a few games to get back into game shape.
Once that’s done, assuming he remains healthy, the issue of whether Iverson will start or continue to play off the bench is virtually certain to rear its potentially ugly head. Coach Lionel Hollins has been testy in response to questions about Iverson’s status, clearly annoyed that A. I. commands so much interest among reporters and fans.
It’s hard to know, at this point, how all this will play out. Allen Iverson is used to being a starter, playing a lot of minutes, and being a high volume scorer. The Grizzlies are showing some real promise as a team, apart from a weak performance in the regular season opener. There are fears that Iverson will disrupt the chemistry if he feels he’s not getting his due.
Because it’s on the west coast, tonight’s game in Sacramento doesn’t tip off until 9:00pm Memphis time. TV coverage in the Memphis area is on FoxSportsTennessee.
Comments
Iverson is one of the best players in the NBA and a feature all of famer. I dont understand why people have been counting him out. In Denver he played for the team and did a very good job. In Detroit he had good games but thing started to change when he got injured and the bench situation came up. Iverson can still win games & I dont understand why a player of his caliber should come off the bench. The media has been hated on him for his entire career. If he scores alot of points & dont win they blame him, if he doesnt score alot and try to make playes they still blame him. Regardless he is an icon.
If Iverson's game is on, he can actually carry a team all by himself. I believe he will get his chance in Memphis. I see Iverson being a real impact player for the Grizzlies and helping them achieve their goals with solid bench play from the "2nd Original scorer next to Jordan"
memphis grizzlies needs the answer,that is allen iverson.Many people think that he's not the person to lead a team,but after what i seen when he played for denver he did a hell of a job.Getting him to start at guard with rudy gay,mayo,gasol,and randolph is the best thing to do.Conley is a desent guard too, and will give he's teammates the ball alot.Allen Iverson will give he's teammates the ball and he'll score when he wants to.This is what memphis grizzlies need to start Allen Iverson!!!!
Dnt be dumb memphis, u betta start iverson, a.I aint done, b4 detroit messed everything up a.I put up 51 on kobe the year b4 in dever so be smart hollins
Good comments, all of you. A question for you: is it disrespecting Iverson to play him off the bench? As primary scorer for the second unit, he would get more chances to shoot, with less offensive firepower around him. If he can average 20 points playing 25 minutes per game off the bench, is that wrong?
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