Le Basketbawl

Desperate Times cause Desperate People to do Desperate Things and your Old Pal New York Vinnie fears that those times have come for one of the biggest “Problem Children” in the NBA. The “Memphis Commercial Appeal” is reporting that Free Agent guard Allen Iverson and Memphis Grizzlies Team Owner Michael Heilsey were trying to arrange a meeting between the two of them on Saturday. The purpose of that meeting would be to see if the Grizzlies and the veteran Free Agent can finalize a deal that was given to Iverson by the Grizzlies.

Memphis currently has a one year deal on the table that is reported to be valued at $3.5 million. If they renounce their rights to Free Agent guard Juan Carlos Navarro they could get the deal to $4.4 million for the season. Memphis is the only NBA franchise to offer the 13 year veteran a contract deal this off-season which is a scenario that Iverson never imagined would happen. So at this very moment A.I. has two options; to accept the deal with the Grizzlies or to wait it out and see if another offer comes along.

If Allen Iverson was New York Vinnie’s client I would advise him to pass on this deal because in my eyes this is a bad deal for both sides. The Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace is inferring that Iverson would be playing off the bench for Memphis. How could Iverson be at all happy being a back-up on what could quite possibly be a Lottery team? If you followed the “Answer’s” NBA career at all you know there is no way in the world he would be; which means then he is going to sulk for most of the season. 

To New York Vinnie that is a lose-lose situation for all concerned. Iverson has a bad year so he can not get a better contract next season. The Memphis Grizzlies have a lot of young impressionable players on their roster. If You are Chris Wallace do you want O.J. Mayo exposed to a bitter Allen Iverson?  New York Vinnie sees those kinds of things on the horizon if this marriage takes place.

Allen; New York Vinnie understands your wanting to hook up with a team but this next year could determine the balance of your NBA career. If you think this through this is not a good fit for you so don’t sign the deal. As New York Vinnie wrote  a couple of days ago to me your best fit is with Larry Brown in Charlotte. If you have to sign the veteran minimum for the year bite the bullet and do it.

Short of that there is no reason you can not start the campaign or at least training camp unsigned. Teams are going to have injuries which would create opportunities for you. You just have to have a little patience My Man and the right situation will appear.