Foyle leaves the court after 13 seasons, but his legacy has only begun

It wasn’t all over ESPN and the casual NBA fan probably missed the news on the ole’ ticker last week, but Adonal Foyle retired from the game of basketball. It’s not much of a surprise, he’s only played in 10 games in the last two years (thanks to injuries), actually missing all of last season.

All in all, it was a solid 13-year career for the big man from the Carribean. He leaves the game as the Golden State Warriors’ all-time leading shot-blocker, along with finishing as one of their top rebounders. Foyle spent 10 of his 13 seasons with the Warriors, also making a very brief stop with the Memphis Grizzlies and a few seasons with the Orlando Magic.

Foyle was more than just a 6-foot-10 shot-blocking machine — he is a gentleman — straight up. There is no other way to put it. He has to be one of the most likable and interesting players in the game — that is if you know about him. Foyle is an intellect, far beyond the stereotype of NBA players. He reviews books for HOOP Magazine, writes poetry and is one of the league’s biggest humanitarians.

Foyle is responsible creating both the Democracy Matters and the Kerosene Lamp Foundation, both to empower, educate and help the youth.

In addition to all of that, Foyle was also a Vice President of the league’s players’ association and is finishing up his masters degree in sports psychology, he even wrote a poem about his NBA journey. This most definitely isn’t the last we’ll be hearing of Foyle — I have a feeling he’ll be involved with the league for years to come — it’s definitely safe to say that there’s only one Adonal Foyle.

Here’s a great interview that he recently did with the Golden State Warriors, it’s a must watch — you need to know more about Foyle, his story was slept on by mass media.

Lorenzen Wright reported missing

Lorenzen Wright, who last played for the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2008-09 season, has been reported missing by his family. Wright’s sister told Memphis’ WREG that the former 13-year pro hasn’t been seen or heard from since Sunday, when Wright was scheduled to fly out of Memphis back to his home in Atlanta.

Wright had been visiting his family in Memphis, where he also played in college and even spent five seasons with the Grizzlies, playing some of the best ball of his career in a Grizz uni. According to WREG, Wright has had some well known financial problems, but authorities aren’t expecting any foul play.

Hopefully it’s all just a mix up and Wright’s okay.

Props, SLAM

Kobe Bryant makes Rudy Gay pay

I don’t know what Rudy Gay was thinking, but he was obviously fairly excited or not thinking at all here. Of course, when you make a mistake against the Lakers, Kobe Bryant or one of his talented teammates will make you pay for it.

This was just three of the 44 points that Bryant scored yesterday, as he became the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer, passing Jerry West (who coincidently wore the number 44) — tribute? Maybe. Kobe did pass on the final play of the game instead of taking the shot.

Luckily for Gay, the Grizzlies still pulled out the surprising victory.

Allen Iverson is great in press conferences

We all know that I have had enough of Allen Iverson, but it’s something I won’t be able to get away from.

Most of the people I talk to, or the things that I read on Twitter and whatnot are very positive, everyone is excited about AI’s return to Philly. With all of that positivity and especially after yesterdays emotional press conference, it’s made me think, am I a bad person for wishing this didn’t happen for Iverson?

No.

Iverson plays to the camera well, he always says what you want to hear in press conferences. His press conference in Detroit was so overwhelmingly positive, even joking at the whole “Practice?!” moment. Then he misses a practice in Detroit and things go downhill. Again, similar situation in Memphis.

AI wants his way, if he can’t get it, he’s going to bitch and complain. He wants us to feel like he is the victim.

Iverson to retire after 14 seasons

After 14 seasons, which included an MVP season in 2000-01, Allen Iverson is preparing to announce his retirement, according to Yahoo! Sports.

After the disastrous three games in Memphis and the New York Knicks desire to not sign the veteran, Iverson has chosen to retire from the game and focus on family — for now.

Nobody wanted Iverson.

It’s unfortunate that for the 34 year-old Iverson, the right offer must be a starting spot with heavy minutes as the team’s leader. It’s just not going to happen anymore, and this entire story has been exhausted. It’s officially over now — but again, just for now.

I’m sure he’ll be back at some point, but unless the guy comes back with a new attitude and a desire to win a championship with teammates — it’s refreshing to see him retire. It’s just such a crummy way to step away from the game.

Here’s a look back at Iverson’s stat-filled career and some of the good ol’ days…

WARNING: Video contains music with explicit language. 18+

Grizzlies, Iverson part ways

Three games.

The Allen Iverson and Memphis Grizzlies experiment didn’t last long — much shorter than anyone expected.

The Grizzlies and Iverson have agreed to terminate his contract according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Iverson’s refusal to accept a smaller role and come off the bench for any team has ultimately ended his career, I would be shocked if any team signed him.

Now that Iverson is a free-agent, I’m sure the phone is ringing off the hook — just like it did this summer, hence his signing with the lowly Grizzlies. His reputation is now worse than ever, which ultimately means, we’ve probably seen the last of Iverson in the NBA, and if a team were to sign him, they’re idiotic.

Good riddance AI, good riddance.

Travis Outlaw dunks on Rudy Gay’s head

Rudy Gay is one of the best slam dunk artists in the entire league, but he played the victim on Tuesday night. Travis Outlaw gets the offensive rebound, and catches Gay sleeping as he throws this one down for a dunk heard ’round the world. Outlaw’s mother was in the building to see her son quiet the crowd in Memphis last night, so I’ll assume that one was for her.

Unfortunately for Gay, he still has a migraine this morning. That migraine probably doesn’t feel as bad as Hasheem Thabeet’s jaw, which was broken last night by his own teammate, Zach Randolph.

Iverson leaves Grizzlies for personal reasons

I’m not joking this time and Allen Iverson isn’t joining the “Tool Academy.” Well, at least not yet.

Iverson met with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley after last night’s 114-98 loss to the Lakers last night, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

The plot thickens, because now the paper is reporting that the two met earlier today and Iverson was granted permission to leave the team for personal reasons. It’s expected that Iverson has departed to Atlanta, where he resides in the offseason.

It’s unknown when Iverson will rejoin the team.

I will save negative remarks and criticism until I hear more about the situation, just in case something is legit and serious, but I’m going to say it’s a typical Iverson-rant.

Iverson leaves Grizzlies, joins VH1′s “Tool Academy”

Unfortunately, the headline is wrong and it doesn’t appear that Allen Iverson will be leaving the Memphis Grizzlies to join VH1′s hit show “Tool Academy“ anytime soon.

Iverson made his Grizzlies debut last night, after missing the entire preseason and the Grizzlies’ first three games. The 14-year veteran played 18 minutes off the bench in an overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. He scored 11 points and had one assist in his brief time on the floor.

Iverson’s only practiced three days with the Grizzlies, but of course, he’s already complaining about coming off the bench:

“I had no problems (with the hamstring), I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That’s the only thing I got a problem with. I’m not a reserve basketball player. I’ve never been a reserve all my life and I’m not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. …To answer the question, ‘No, I’m not a bench player. I’m not a sixth man. Go look at my resume and that will show you I’m not a sixth man.”

What in the hell is wrong with Iverson?