Yardbarker: Memphis Grizzlies

No Pressure, Big Guy

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:02:26 -0500

by Irv Soonachan Thirty years — almost to the day — after the hostage crisis made Iran a hated enemy in the eyes of most Americans, I saw a promotion at an NBA game that was a long time in the making: Iranian Heritage Night. Participants arrived early and in large numbers. About 800 people wore green t-shirts that were sponsored by the teams, the Warriors and the visiting Grizzlies. Green has had a special significance to Iranians since this summer, when it became the symbolic col...

Game Notes: Grizzlies at Clippers

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:09:30 -0500

by Sean Ceglinsky Heading into the weekend, I knew Allen Iverson was going to be in town, so all other plans were put on hold. That said, my goal on Saturday was to arrive at Staples Center well in advance for the Grizzlies and Clippers game. Getting a jump start on the rest of the media guys was a must, perhaps my only chance to catch up with AI before he was bombarded with questions about his playing time, or lack thereof, with the Memphis. My approach, the whole early bird catches the worm...

Allen Iverson Might Retire (It Didn’t Have to Be This Way)

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:12 -0500

There’s been a ton of drama surrounding Allen Iverson over the past week or so, ranging from issues with his role on the Grizzlies and playing time, to possible problems at home which have led to A.I. taking an “indefinite” leave of absence from the team. And now this morning, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is [...]

Is it Over for the Answer?

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:04:52 -0500

Looks like Allen Iverson’s NBA career could be over, as he has walked away from the Memphis Grizzlies and is not expected to return. There are conflicting reports as to what is going on, with the owner of the Griz calling it a personal leave and others hinting that AI may retire. Iverson was vocal with [...]

Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley: Allen Iverson 'would tell me' if mulling retirement

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:20:02 -0500

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has shot down the idea that Allen Iverson is mulling retirement as he takes an indefinite leave of absence for a personal matter.

Clippers 113 - Memphis 110 - It Was a Struggle, but We'll Take It

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:23:39 -0500

More photos » by Gus Ruelas - AP Together again. Browse more photos » Final - 11.7.2009 1234Total Memphis Grizzlies 29 31 22 28 110 Los Angeles Clippers 23 32 27 31 113 Complete Coverage > After winning easily in Oakland last night, the Clippers had a flat start in their return home against the Grizzlies tonight. They fell behind 10-2, and see...

Allen Iverson Leaves Grizzlies Leaving Many Questions, Few Answers

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:39:00 -0500

by Rob PetersonFiled under: Grizzlies, NBA RumorsWhen Allen Iverson signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason, you just had a feeling it wouldn't end well.If most reports from Saturday night are true, you were right.On Saturday, the Memphis Grizzlies granted the one-time league MVP his leave from the team for personal reasons. Yahoo's Marc Spears and ESPN.com's Chad Ford have both reported that Iverson's leave is indefinite and no timetable has been set for h...

Grizzlies Grant Permission To Iverson To Take Leave From Team

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:45:56 -0500

The “Memphis Commercial Appeal” has reported that the Memphis Grizzlies have granted Allen Iverson permission to take a leave of absence from the team and head to his home in Atlanta in order to deal with what is being labeled as a “personal matter.” The exit from the team concludes a week filled with controversy for the player [...]

Iverson granted leave from Grizzlies

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:15:55 -0500

Per ESPN… Allen Iverson was granted permission to leave the Memphis Grizzlies to deal with a personal matter, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on Saturday. Iverson had a meeting with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley Friday night after the team lost 114-98 to the Los Angeles Lakers, the newspaper reported. Iverson met with Heisley again Saturday morning and then [...]

Allen Iverson leaves Grizzlies for personal reasons

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:57:21 -0500

Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports: The Allen Iverson saga has taken another turn as the veteran guard asked for and was granted permission to leave the Grizzlies to deal with a personal matter, according to an NBA source. Iverson, 34, met with Griz owner Michael Heisley Friday night following the team’s 114-98 loss to [...]

Clippers vs. Grizzlies - Game Preview

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:00:31 -0500

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP Browse more photos » 2009/2010 NBA Regular Season vs. 2-41-5 Staples Center November 7th, 2009, 7:30 PM FSN Prime Ticket, 980 AM Probable starters: Baron Davis PG Mike Conley Eric Gordon SG O.J. Mayo Rasual Butler SF Rudy Gay Marcus Camby PF Zach Randolph Chris Kaman C Marc Gasol &nbs...

The 10-man rotation, starring Hamed Haddadi's tiny car

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:10:45 -0500

A look around the league and the web that covers it. It's also important to note that the rotation order and starting nods aren't always listed in order of importance. That's for you, dear reader, to figure out.C: Hooped Up. If you don't follow Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi(notes) on Twitter, you're missing out.PF: CelticsHub. The Lakers starters have played more minutes than the C's starters in one fewer game.SF: OS. Third Quarter Collapse has been nominated for the...

Antoine Walker’s Stat Line Of The Week

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:05:00 -0500

If you're not familiar with all this Antoine Walker talk, go get yourself up to speed. If you happen to run across a stat line that needs consideration, send it here. Before we dive into this week's recipient, we would like to take a moment to send some well wishes to the inspiration for this award, Mr. Antoine Walker. Mr. Walker has fell on hard times financially and legally. But we're sure he wouldn't want us to stop the "Stat Line Of The Week" train ...

Antoine Walker's Stat Line Of The Week

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:05:00 -0500

Rest Of Hamed Haddadi Continued In Other Car

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:19 -0500

How many attendants would you say it takes to get Memphis Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi in and out of his car? Yep, this is his vehicle, according to photos on his Facebook page; just what I would buy if I were 7-foot-2, 280. You expect him to any minute extend his legs out of the bottom [...]

Antoine Walker: Blew $110M, Facing 10+ Yrs Jail?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:06:26 -0500

Shira Springer of the BOSTON GLOBE has the stunning story of Antoine Walker, who has apparently already blown $110M in career earnings, owing millions in unpaid pills and casino markers while possibly facing up to a decade or more of prison time. (Summa Cum Laude in Tyson & Barkley School of Finance) Springer’s piece opens with [...]

The Sad, Sad Story of Antoine Walker

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:43:45 -0500

The Globe has an expose on the financial troubles facing former Celtics star Antoine Walker. The Cliffs Notes version: Walker likely squandered most of his $110 million fortune.

Aside from the extravagant lifestyle; homes, cars, custom suits, watches, etc, Walker also supported 70 friends and family members. Former teammates say 'Toine always took care of them, paying for limos and the biggest dinner bills.

Not only does Walker owe casinos, he also owes money to several credit card companies. He authorized five people to make charges on his card. Five? I have a hard time give my wife authorization. And there are the failed business ventures.

Sadly, Antoine is going to be the poster child for future NBA stars on what-not-to-do.

Here are some excerpts from the article. Some of this stuff is mind boggling:

Living at the Bishops Forest condominium complex in Waltham during the Celtics season, Walker turned the pavement surrounding his home into a virtual luxury car lot - two Bentleys, two Mercedes, a Range Rover, a Cadillac Escalade, a bright red Hummer. Often, the vehicles were tricked out with custom paint jobs, rims, and sound systems at considerable added expense. He also collected top-line watches - Rolexes and diamond-encrusted Cartiers....

Then, there were the custom-tailored suits - closets full of them, including the set he ordered for his first playoff run in 2002, enough so he wouldn’t wear a suit more than once during the postseason run. When the Celtics officially hired Jim O’Brien as head coach in 2001, Walker had his tailor make three suits and presented them to O’Brien...

After a 2001 exhibition game at Mohegan Sun, Walker once reportedly played $15,000 hands with Michael Jordan during an all-night gambling session where estimates of money lost and won totaled several hundred thousand dollars. Prior to the 2003-04 season, when Celtics general manager Danny Ainge called Walker to tell him he had been traded, Walker was engrossed in a high-stakes blackjack game at Mohegan Sun.

Walker is trying to latch on to an NBA team, but a contract doesn't appear likely. There's also speculation he'll sign overseas.

Love him or hate him, this guy brought energy and sizzle to the Celtics during its darkest days. For that, I will always be grateful. I hope he gets his life in order.