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Allen Iverson’s Hall of Fame induction: a #TBT on his run with the Memphis Grizzlies

By Parker Fleming

Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson talks about his selection for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016 during a press conference at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson talks about his selection for enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016 during a press conference at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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He may have only played three games with the Memphis Grizzlies, but Allen Iverson is set to become the first Hall of Famer to ever suit up for Grizzlies after his induction this weekend.

Allen Iverson brought swagger to the NBA. After the Michael Jordan era, the NBA was in dire need of a superstar that possessed a sense of razzle and dazzle on the court. Allen Iverson blessed basketball with his killer crossovers, jaw-dropping plays at the rim and ferocity every game. He made the number “3” a must-have for young basketball players around the world. In his fourteen seasons in the league, Iverson averaged an astonishing 26.7 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds (as a 6’0″ point guard) and 2.2 steals.

What most people do not realize is that Allen Iverson was a Memphis Grizzly. It’s truly crazy that the Grizzlies had a figure as iconic as Iverson. What’s crazier is that he only played three games. Now, what’s insane is that none of those games were in Memphis.

Iverson’s Grizzly stint

In three games:

TmOpp ResultMPTRBASTSTLTOVPFPTSGmSc+/-
MEM@SACL (-11)17:3901022114.6-7
MEM@GSWL (-8)27:33370411813.0-1
MEM@LALL (-16)21:201311286.1-13

At the age of 34, those numbers were respectable. In spite of his play, there was something that stole the spotlight: his role.

In all three of his games, Allen Iverson played off the bench. Asking a superstar player, who was a top-5 caliber player in his prime, to come off the bench behind prospects such as Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo was a tough pill for him to swallow.

Allen Iverson’s pride led to his release. Speculation arose that his bench role was the reason behind their troubles.

Iverson, himself, spoke about the conflict in 2009: 

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"“It’s something that I never did in my life, so obviously it’s a big adjustment,” he said. “I’m so tired of discussing that, talking about that, every single day. It’s just not something that I want to discuss. That’s something you’ve got to ask the coach. He makes all the decisions around here. 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.”"

Sadly, the marriage between Iverson and the Grizzlies didn’t work out. Unfortunately, fans never got to experience Allen Iverson sporting a Grizzlies jersey in the FedEx Forum.

It is truly a bummer to fans around the Mid-South. However, thanks to AI, the Grizzlies finally have a Hall of Famer. Here’s to more Grizzlies Hall of Famers to come!

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