e and the Miami Heat will be without the services of an undersized, over-the-hill veteran troublemaker this season. And Heat fans more concerned with wins and good basketball are probably rejoicing right now, but South Florida bloggers and other fans of controversy and stories ripe for the advancing will shed a tear for missed opportunity this evening.
Allen Iverson, the 34-year-old veteran known as "A.I." or just "the Answer," was reportedly interested in playing with his Olympic teammate, Dwyane Wade. But he told his twitter followers this morning that he would be signing with the Memphis Grizzlies.
In a pair of posts that went up about an hour and a half ago, Iverson, who played last season with Detroit after a short stint in Denver, said:
God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career. I met with Mr. Heinsley, Chris Wallace and my next head coach Lionel Hollins.
Then:
I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them.
Three days ago he posted this:
I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on tomorrow [sic], along with his staff. I want to help develop a winner.
Iverson has been in talks with several teams, including some in Europe. After a horrible season in Detroit last year, it's doubtful Iverson would start on any NBA team.
Since the Heat already has a loaded bench (skip the obvious rehab jokes), it's probably for the best that the team have a go without such a distraction. NBA.com reports Iverson signed a 1-year contract worth $3.5 million, and will be a free agent again next year in a class that includes fellow Olympians Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James.
Wade, who is promoting a charity event in Chicago, did not comment on the signing via his Twitter page or in interviews he did earlier today.
