Allen Iverson Is Unhappy (again)

From the who-didn’t-see-this-coming-department, Allen Iverson is not happy with his role after his first game in with the Memphis Grizzlies.

After coming off the bench and playing just 18 minutes in the Grizzlies 127-116 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings last night, Iverson dropped this gem to reporters after the game:

 “Go look at my resume and that will show you that I’m not a sixth man,” Iverson said. “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.” 

First of all, what did Iverson expect? He barely played in the preseason and then missed the first three regular season games with a partially torn hamstring. Even superstars would be eased back into the rotation after something like that. Iverson is far from a superstar these days. 

Secondly, if A.I. could guard anyone anymore maybe there would be more minutes for him. Kevin Martin scored 48 points on the Grizzlies last night. I doubt Lionel Hollins was thinking, “This guy is scoring at will on us right now. Maybe I should put my old, injured, six-foot, one-dimensional malcontent out there to slow him down.” 

The Grizzlies are a terrible fit for Iverson, and everyone can see it. They already have three ball-stopping scorers on the floor at all times in Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Zach Randolph. There is no need to play a fourth. 

Iverson isn’t dumb, he realized this all summer and held off on signing with Memphis as long as he could hoping that some other team would make him an offer. But that’s what happens when you burn bridges everywhere you go. Eventually, no one wants you anymore. 

If A.I. wanted to be the focal point of a team he should have went to Europe when he had the chance. He’s in a bad situation now and he has no one to blame but himself.

This situation is going to get worse before it gets better, I can guarantee you that. 

I’ll set the over/under at March 1^st before the Grizzlies say “enough is enough” and send Iverson home for good, making that the third team in four years to throw their hands up and say, “screw it, this guy just isn’t worth it anymore.”