Allen Iverson loves basketball so much that at age 34, he's willing to play for one of the NBA's worst teams on a one-year contract. Iverson, a 10-time All-Star who's the 16th-leading scorer in NBA history, will open his 14th season in the league playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. He has averaged 27.1 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.22 assists with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets and the Detroit Pistons. But he feels he has a point to prove after his trade from the Nuggets to the Pistons went sour.
"This year for me is so personal," Iverson said. "It's basically going to be my rookie season again. It hurts, but I turn the TV on, I read the paper, I listen to some of the things people say about me having the season that I had last year and me losing a step, things like that. They're trying to put me in a rocking chair already."
Iverson is joining a team coming off three consecutive seasons of winning no more than 24 games. They haven't earned a playoff berth since 2006 and are 0-12 in playoff games.
A back injury ended Iverson's season with Detroit last April 3. He played in 57 games for the Pistons and averaged 17.4 points and 4.9 assists.
"It was a bad fit," Iverson said of his time with the Pistons after stints with Denver and Philadelphia. "I wouldn't say it's personal, but it's a game I'm definitely looking forward to."
Iverson won't wait long. The Grizzlies open the regular season against Detroit on Oct. 28 in FedExForum.
One reason Iverson doesn't mind coming to Memphis is he has always been a crowd favorite in FedExForum.
"The fans had a lot to do with my decision," Iverson said. "I used to tell my wife all the time that I see a lot of my jerseys when I've come here. I've told her they like the way I play. It's great to come to a place where you're wanted."
