AI to the Knicks?

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The New York Knicks passed on a chance to sign Allen Iverson last summer. A few months and only one victory later, they have to decide if he's worth reconsidering.

Iverson will soon be on the market again after the Memphis Grizzlies announced they were parting ways with the former scoring champion. And while the Knicks weren't interested in the off-season, they won't rule him out yet.

"We had our little group from last year we wanted to keep together and that was the decision in the summertime, not to disrupt what we had," coach Mike D'Antoni said Tuesday. "Now, basketball's fluid and things change every second."

D'Antoni and team president Donnie Walsh both praised Iverson's abilities, but said the organization still had to discuss whether it's worth bringing him to a 1-9 team that is off to the worst 10-game start in franchise history.

Walsh wouldn't say much more, because Iverson hadn't even been waived yet by the time the Knicks finished practice.

"I've always had a lot of admiration for him because I had to play against him every year when I was in Indiana and I have a lot of respect for his career," Walsh said. "He's a small man who did everything he could to win games and took a lot of hard knocks and always got up."

But the Iverson of today would give any team pause. He's been hurt and unhappy over the last two seasons, with the Grizzlies the only team to make him an offer last summer after his turbulent stay in Detroit.

Things were even worse in Memphis. Iverson played only three games, voicing his displeasure about coming off the bench, just as he'd done in Detroit, before leaving the team to attend to personal matters. Walsh said that alone wouldn't make him rule out Iverson, saying, "You've got to consider everything when you're talking about anybody."

Iverson would be intriguing because the Knicks could sign him for only this season and not use up any future salary cap space. Plus, he's still popular with many fans -- some of whom have already grown impatient with Walsh's plan to rebuild through free agency next summer that left the team so vulnerable this season.

"I don't think we've changed our philosophy in that we want to be competitive now. We want to do everything we can to win right now, within the framework of keeping 2010 open like we talked about," D'Antoni said. "Whatever it takes that makes us competitive and to win right now, I think we'll do as an organization."

D'Antoni said both he and the former MVP could adjust to each other, even though Iverson might not be a natural fit in his offence. But he stopped short of saying the Knicks would or should pursue the 34-year-old guard.

"He's been a force in this league for God knows how long, so I'm not taking anything from him," D'Antoni said. "But at the same time, there's a lot of organizational stuff we'll talk about and see if it makes sense."

Just what New York needs, a new sideshow to replace Stephon Marbury. I give it 2 weeks.

^^ Totally and he will compelement a 1-9 start very well. The man is going into the HOF, but he needs to hang it up already. It is kind of pathetic really.

I just wish AI can start. I'm really pissed with all this bullshit.

AI has been overrated since he left Philly, I'd only want him to go to Orlando to sit on the bench and come in to give us some points off the bench.

Selfish prick doesn't realize that bench play is just as important as starting, the Knicks leading scorer last year?

The Slam Dunk Champion, who came off the bench.

AI will not except a spot coming off the bench, that was his problem in Mephis. He is not going to get 30 shots a game anymore, anywhere he goes.

^^That was also his problem in Denver too when he was coming back from an injury.

Hell, he always took a lot of shots. I remember some of his Philly highlights on SC and his stats would be like 10-30 on his best nights.

He just won't learn. Tarnishing the Charles Barkley sort of legacy (no championships, but amazing player) that he has built. If signs with the Knicks, I expect them to go let's say 10-72?

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NEW YORK -- Allen Iverson has cleared waivers and is free to sign with any NBA team.

The former MVP was waived Tuesday after playing only three games with the Memphis Grizzlies and no team claimed him in the following 48 hours, making him a free agent.

The New York Knicks are discussing whether they want to bring in the 34-year-old guard. Iverson was unhappy coming off the bench last season in Detroit and this season with the Grizzlies, so there isn't expected to be much interest in him.

Unsurprising, but just felt like posting it as being official.

They aren't bringing him in. I didn't really expect it since they could easily bring in a max-player and some other brilliant player who isn't at max level, and be a playoff team, maybe a contender depending on who they bring in.

AI had a perfect situation in Denver, playing with Mello, but his massive ego will not allow him to excpet a bench role.