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10 stars you might have forgot played for the Memphis Grizzlies

By Amaar Burton

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 18: Vince Carter #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on January 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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US NBA star Allen Iverson adjusts his cap as he appears as a guest at the 2009 European Championship Basketball semi-final game between Spain and Greece in Katowice on September 19, 2009. Spain won 82-64. AFP PHOTO/ JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
US NBA star Allen Iverson adjusts his cap as he appears as a guest at the 2009 European Championship Basketball semi-final game between Spain and Greece in Katowice on September 19, 2009. Spain won 82-64. AFP PHOTO/ JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. Allen Iverson (2009)

When Allen Iverson said in 2009 that he would rather retire than come off the bench, it effectively ended his short stay with the Detroit Pistons.

It also should have been a pretty clear message to any other team hoping to sign Iverson that the former league MVP and four-time scoring champion might not react well to not being in their starting lineup.

So of course, the Grizzlies brought in Iverson for the 2009-10 season and tried to get him to come off the bench.

After playing a total of three games, Iverson — in a move that shouldn’t have surprised anyone — decided that role wasn’t for him and he walked away from Memphis.

In those three games, Iverson averaged 12.3 points and 3.7 assists, shooting 57.7 percent from the field.

https://twitter.com/ThrowbackHoops/status/1225271763975622656

At 34 years old, A.I. still had the skills and some of the quickness that made him a Hall of Famer. He was also accustomed to carrying a franchise in Philadelphia and at least being a No. 1A option in Denver. So imagine when he goes to Memphis and is asked to serve as the backup to a couple of relatives babies in O.J. Mayo and Mike Conley Jr., who were 21 and 22 years old at the time.

After Iverson left the Grizzlies, he re-joined the 76ers to wrap up his NBA career.

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