Allen Iverson joining Grizzlies, not a funny stuff situation

One of the N.B.A.’s most prolific scorers, Free agent Allen Iverson, were ignored by most teams allowing the Memphis Grizzlies to sign the 34-year-old Iverson. The one-year $3 million deal allows Iverson to possibly jump-start a stalled career and re-enter free agency next summer after a disappointing season split between the Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons.

The frustration of this is not an off-season funny stuff that led Iverson to call the coming season something personal. The Grizzlies at 24-58 in the standings, finished last season 29th of 30 N.B.A. teams in attendance, took the risk of Iverson’s infusion among a young core comprising O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and the second overall draft pick this year, Hasheem Thabeet.

By Thursday afternoon, the homepage of the Grizzlies’ Web site flashed a large picture of a smiling Iverson and a promotion for a season ticket coupled with an Iverson replica jersey. The thought of Iverson as the centerpiece in the franchise’s marketing scheme and not the playbook has crossed his mind.

Iverson and Zach Randolph will be two of the team’s veteran players and looked to assume new roles as mentors. In the past, both have been the subject of off-court issues. He will look to displace Mayo or Mike Conley Jr.in the starting lineup. Iverson may get an early shot at redemption when the Grizzlies begin the season Oct. 28 against the Pistons.

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