Iverson's Uncontrollable Ego Driving Him Right Out of NBA
Allen Iverson bolted his bench role with the Memphis Grizzlies this weekend. The Grizzlies granted the indefinite leave of absence so A.I. could attend to a “personal issue.”
So that’s what they call it in the NBA when you’re furious at the boss and don’t show for work? In the real world, they call it, “Get out of here, you’re fired!”
But Iverson has never lived in the real world. He’s made millions, arrived and left work whenever he pleased and criticized enough bosses to alienate him from almost every front office in the NBA.
This latest move, however, could be his last. It could spell the end of Iverson’s memorable career. If he does not return to Memphis, the former 76ers star is contemplating retirement, according to published reports.
The Commercial Appeal of Memphis reports the stress associated with a family issue and Iverson’s discontent with his role coming off the Grizzlies’ bench is driving the decision. It might also have something to do with the demand – or lack thereof – for the former scoring champion.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley was shocked to hear the news that his prized free-agent signing might be heading home after three games. Iverson missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury.
"I just think if he was going to retire, he'd tell me first," Heisley told the Commercial Appeal. "I expect him to come back. If he does retire, I'll be tremendously disappointed. I feel bad because I don't think that's the way he should go out."
Heisley might be giving Iverson too much credit. Communication has never been the 34-year-old’s strong suit.
Hence, these comments he made the day before disappearing:
"I'm not trying to figure out how to contribute to no team," Iverson told the Associated Press on Friday before the Griz lost to the L.A. Lakers. "I contribute to a team by just playing. That's it. ... I don't have to figure it out. Obviously, they signed me for a reason. They've been watching me play this game for 13 years, and they know what I do on the basketball court, so I don't have to figure out how I'm going to play or anything like that. I just go out and play basketball."
It’s now been several years and three stops (Denver, Detroit and Memphis) since Iverson has been relevant. Who would have thought that leaving the Sixers would be the worst move for the fading superstar?
The No. 1 overall pick in 1996 out of Georgetown earned Rookie of the Year honors, won an MVP, led his team to the 2000-01 NBA Finals and won four scoring titles in Philadelphia. Since being traded late in 2006 to the Nuggets, it’s been a steady deterioration for the once-dominant little man.
Iverson’s scoring has dropped off precipitously and his minutes have disappeared. He averaged 17.4 points and 36.5 minutes in 54 games for Detroit last season. Both were career lows.
But while the numbers indicate that the game has passed him by, Iverson doesn’t see it that way. He’s noted a variety of reasons for the decreases – none that include himself.
In fact, this line of thinking is exactly what could be driving Iverson right out of the league.
So that’s what they call it in the NBA when you’re furious at the boss and don’t show for work? In the real world, they call it, “Get out of here, you’re fired!”
But Iverson has never lived in the real world. He’s made millions, arrived and left work whenever he pleased and criticized enough bosses to alienate him from almost every front office in the NBA.
This latest move, however, could be his last. It could spell the end of Iverson’s memorable career. If he does not return to Memphis, the former 76ers star is contemplating retirement, according to published reports.
The Commercial Appeal of Memphis reports the stress associated with a family issue and Iverson’s discontent with his role coming off the Grizzlies’ bench is driving the decision. It might also have something to do with the demand – or lack thereof – for the former scoring champion.
Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley was shocked to hear the news that his prized free-agent signing might be heading home after three games. Iverson missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury.
"I just think if he was going to retire, he'd tell me first," Heisley told the Commercial Appeal. "I expect him to come back. If he does retire, I'll be tremendously disappointed. I feel bad because I don't think that's the way he should go out."
Heisley might be giving Iverson too much credit. Communication has never been the 34-year-old’s strong suit.
Hence, these comments he made the day before disappearing:
"I'm not trying to figure out how to contribute to no team," Iverson told the Associated Press on Friday before the Griz lost to the L.A. Lakers. "I contribute to a team by just playing. That's it. ... I don't have to figure it out. Obviously, they signed me for a reason. They've been watching me play this game for 13 years, and they know what I do on the basketball court, so I don't have to figure out how I'm going to play or anything like that. I just go out and play basketball."
It’s now been several years and three stops (Denver, Detroit and Memphis) since Iverson has been relevant. Who would have thought that leaving the Sixers would be the worst move for the fading superstar?
The No. 1 overall pick in 1996 out of Georgetown earned Rookie of the Year honors, won an MVP, led his team to the 2000-01 NBA Finals and won four scoring titles in Philadelphia. Since being traded late in 2006 to the Nuggets, it’s been a steady deterioration for the once-dominant little man.
Iverson’s scoring has dropped off precipitously and his minutes have disappeared. He averaged 17.4 points and 36.5 minutes in 54 games for Detroit last season. Both were career lows.
But while the numbers indicate that the game has passed him by, Iverson doesn’t see it that way. He’s noted a variety of reasons for the decreases – none that include himself.
In fact, this line of thinking is exactly what could be driving Iverson right out of the league.
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