【時事新聞】
LeBron James at Cavs' parade: 'Let's get ready for next year'
詹姆斯實現承諾,為克里夫蘭贏回冠軍獎盃
(Cleveland, Ohio) —Jim Brown held the Larry O'Brien Trophy and walked toward LeBron James.
吉姆‧布朗(前美國職業足球員)捧著歐布萊恩冠軍獎盃並朝著勒布朗‧詹姆斯走去。
The last superstar to win Cleveland a championship 52 years ago passed the gold hardware Wednesday to James, concluding the Cavaliers' championship parade and rally. James accepted the proverbial passing of the torch from Brown, who led Cleveland's NFL title run in 1964.
上一位為克里夫蘭贏得冠軍獎盃的吉姆‧布朗,在星期三時將這座金製品交到了詹姆斯的手上,做為騎士隊冠軍遊行與集會的結尾。詹姆斯從吉姆‧布朗這位於1964年替克里夫蘭奪回NFL冠軍獎盃的球員,接下了這支眾所皆知的傳承火炬。
James, the NBA Finals MVP, addressed his teammates one by one and did not hold back. Here is James' speech from a podium off St. Clair Avenue.
詹姆斯同時也是NBA季後賽最有價值球員,毫無保留地個別向他的隊友們一一致意。以下就是詹姆斯在St. Clair大道架設的講台上所做的演講全文。
Oh, man. They asked me do I have a speech or something prepared, and I really don't. I'm just going to speak from the heart like I always do.
噢,老天。他們要我做個演講或做些有準備的發言,然而我並沒有,跟以前一樣,我喜歡直接說出自己的心裡話。
What's going on right now is still so surreal to me. It still hasn't hit me what actually happened, and for some crazy a-- reason I believe like I'm going to wake up, and it's going to be like Game 4 all over again. I'll be like, s---, we're down 2-1 still.
現在發生的一切對我而言還是如此的不真實,我還是不敢相信眼前發生的一切, 讓我相信這一切是真的原因是,睡醒不會再像是G4前的那種「喵的!我們還是1-2落後」。
Like I swear. I keep feeling that, because it's so surreal. I was talking to my wife, and I'm like, babe, we did it. You guys always see the finished product, and when we step out on the floor -- either 18 minutes before the game or Kyrie's taking a long time to put two pairs of socks on or his shoes on and we come out at like 12. You guys see it from that point to the end of the game. But what you guys do not see is the hard work behind the scenes when all these cameras and all these lights and everything are not around.
真的就是這樣,我發誓我真的是這麼想的,因為實在是太不真實了。我跟我老婆說「寶貝,我們做到逆轉奪冠了」。你們總是看到比賽的結果,看到我們走上場,或是離開賽還有18分鐘時,還是Irving要花很多時間穿上兩雙襪子或鞋子,然後你們再從我們上場時開始觀看我們,直到比賽結束。可是你們沒看到的是,在沒有錄影機和鎂光燈時,我們所付出的努力。
I heard a lot of it "thank you LeBrons" today, and "thanks for coming home and keeping your promise." But really you guys should be thanking all the guys up here to be honest. I'm just one man. I'm one man with a plan, with a drive, with determination, with will, with a belief, a strong support system at home. But I'm just one guy. I look over here at Jordan McCray, a young guy that came to our team from the D-League, and he just automatically just bought into what we wanted to do. So he was ready to do anything that we asked from him. You know, being a young guy.
今天,我聽到很多人跟我說「Lebron謝謝你」,「謝謝你回來」、「謝謝你兌現自己的諾言」, 但是說真的,你們真正該感謝的是台上每一個人… (群眾鼓掌…) 我只是一個普通人,一個有夢想、動力、決心、意志、信念,而且在家鄉有個強烈應援體系的人。但我只是一個人。轉過身,我能看到Jordan McCray, 一個從發展聯盟上來我們球隊的年輕人加入我們,幫我們成就大業。我們需要他做什麼,他都做好充分準備。
To my brother, judge. J.J., I've seen a lot of things. Like LeBron James made six straight Finals appearances. Well, s---, James Jones made six straight as well. You guys never see champ complain about playing time, complaining about shots, complaining about anything, and he's probably the most professional guy on our team J.J., thank you.
接下來我要感謝我的兄弟James Jones。我已見識過很多事情。像是大家會說「Lebron James連續六年打進總冠軍賽」, 但是他喵的James Jones也是連續六年跟我一起在總冠軍賽中奮戰!(歡呼聲)你們永遠不會看到他這個贏家抱怨上場時間太短,出手次數太少之類的,而且他可能是我們隊裡最有職業精神的球員。JJ謝謝你。
Dahntay Jones, we just picked him up. He's the luckiest man in the world. I'll tell you that. We picked his a-- up like two months ago. No, but seriously, a true professional. Competing against this guy, you always knew that you've got to be locked in. Every time he stepped on the floor, and then when he got on the team, we saw how great of a teammate he was. Also another guy that will give anything. And you guys saw that in our game, our Game 6 at home. J.R. Smith picks up three fouls. (Iman) Shumpert picks up three fouls. R.J. (Richard Jefferson) had three fouls at halftime. And Coach (Tyronn) Lue and myself, and Kyrie, we had a lot of faith in Dahntay, and Dahntay had faith in himself and gave us a huge boost to close out that quarter in Game 6. Thank you, Dahntay.
Dahntay Jones,我們之前才剛選了他。我要說,他是全世界最幸運的人, 我們兩個月前簽下他(就撿到戒指)。但不開玩笑,說真的,他非常有職業精神。你知道當你和這種人競爭時, 隨時都要卯足全力。每當他踏上球場,你就知道有他在你隊伍中是多麼棒的一件事情。接下來我要告訴你們他有多棒,他會在場上付出一切。 你們都知道G6主場,JR Smith三犯,Shumpert三犯,Richard Jefferson半場三犯,總教練Tyronn Lue、我、Irving,我們都信任Dahntay,且Dahntay也相信自己,他幫助我們贏下G6。 謝謝Dahntay Jones。
Mo Williams. Having Mo back. Me and Mo have some unfinished business last time we were together in '09 and '10. Making it to the Eastern Conference finals and losing to Orlando. Making it to the second round, losing to Boston. And we went our separate ways. But when we had an opportunity to pick him up in the offseason, I think it was great for our team, and I'm happy to be able to share this moment with Mo. Share a championship with Mo, because we had unfinished business. So thank you, Mo.
Mo Williams,我們重新簽回了Mo,在09跟10年,我跟Mo還有未完成的夢想, 前一年打進東區冠軍賽時輸給魔術,後一輪在第二輪時輸給塞爾提克,然後我們暫時分開。不過我們終於有機會於休賽期間找他過來再一次聯手,我覺得這對球隊是一件好事, 我很高興能跟Mo分享這個榮耀時刻,共享冠軍,這是我們當初未完成的夢想,感謝Mo。
And to young guy, aka, Kyrie Irving, whatever you want to call him. This guy, he thought I was blowing smoke up his a-- early in the season when I said he could be the best point guard in our league and also be an MVP in our league. And I know every single one of you watched that Finals. You all saw what this guy's capable of doing. And he's only 24. Oh, my goodness. He's only 24. He don't reach his prime for another three years. Thank you, Kyrie.
還有那個小夥子,Kyrie Irving,或者Bye-rie、Uncle Drew, 你們想叫什麼都行。這個小夥子啊…(指著Irving) 球季剛開始我告訴他,他能成為聯盟第一PG,甚至MVP的時候,他以為我在唬爛,P他LP咧!(歡呼聲) 看過冠軍賽的人,都知道他能做到我所說的!(歡呼聲) 他才24歲,我的天,才24歲,還要再過三年才會到達巔峰期,謝謝你,Irving。
You guys heard all the stories, you can't win with J.R. on your team. J.R. takes bad shots. You all heard them weak a-- stories. But when our GM (David Griffin) came to me and said we have an opportunity to get J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks, the Knicks said J.R. was a throw-in by the way. Yeah, we'll leave that to the side. But I was like I would love to have J.R. Smith. I know J.R. Smith and I know what he's capable of doing. And he showed not only is he a hell of a 3-point shooter, he's a hell of a defensive player, two-way player. Thank you, if J.R. Smith.
再來,你們都聽過各種關於Smith的傳聞,「有JR在就無法贏球」、「JR就是愛亂投球」之類的屁話, 但是當GM跟我說,我們有機會從紐約尼克隊拿到JR的時候,順便說一下,JR還是紐約硬塞一包過來的…不說這些了…。但是我當時說,我很贊成JR來,我了解JR,知道他的能力,他向我們展現了,他不只是一個要你命的三分射手,他還是個讓你喪膽的防守悍將,他攻守俱佳,謝謝你,JR。
Shump, want to thank Iman Shumpert. Another guy that we got in that deal from New York; young, hungry, guy that would do anything. Last year, you guys don't even know this because we don't ever put out our medical reports about being injured, Shump played all last year in The Finals with a partially torn groin and partially torn shoulder last year. You guys don't know that. It's not about that. We don't want sympathy; just hard work and dedication. This guy right here will run through that. Whatever the hell that is, that brick building right there, Shump will run through it.
Shumpert,另一個從紐約交易來的小子,年輕、有幹勁,願意做任何事。上個球季你們不知道他的情況,因為我們不會公布受傷的消息,去年總冠軍賽時,Shumpert鼠蹊部跟肩膀一直帶傷,去年他就是這樣過來的,只是你們不知道。這跟受傷無關,我們不喜歡被同情,只想努力且專注的打球。這個堅強的小子克服了他的傷病,不管擋在他前方的是什麼,就算是一棟磚頭砌成的樓房,Shumpert還是會往它衝鋒過去。
Now I don't know if he'll go head-first because he loves his haircut, but he'll go face-first. Shump, thank you.
現在我則不知道他是不是會先用頭去撞那堵擋住我們的牆,因為他很重視他的髮型,不過他可能會先用臉去撞牆吧…謝謝Shumpert。
Delly ... (applause) yeah, and he deserves that. He deserves that.
Dellavedova (歡呼聲),沒錯,他值得大家為他歡呼。
If it was a bear right here, and it was Delly right here, and I shot the ball and I was wondering who was going to get to the ball first, Delly would tear that damn bear up. You all saw for the last two years, Delly giving everything. He damn near gave his life last year in The Finals. Had to go to the hospital after one of our Finals games. That's a guy who is dedicated. Who never cared about guys saying Delly's not fast enough. Delly's not strong enough. Delly can't shoot it well enough. Delly's not an NBA player. Well, guess what, Delly's a champion. Thank you, Delly.
如果現在這裡有一隻熊,跟Dellavedova,當我把球投出時,誰能先搶到這顆球? Dellavedova會把那頭熊給撕成四分五裂的!在過去這兩個球季中,你們都看到他用盡全力的表現,像是去年總冠軍賽,他把命都賭上去了,在其中一場比賽結束後,還得直接送醫急救,這就是Dellavedova,總是傾盡全力。他從不在乎別人批評, 「Della不夠快」、「他不夠壯」、「投籃沒準星」、「他不夠格打NBA」,那現在呢?他是NBA冠軍了,謝謝Dellavedova!
Timo, another ex-Knick. But we'll leave that to the side again. When we got Timo, I remember when Griffin said we were going to get Timofey Mozgov, you want to know what's crazy? The first time I saw Timo we were in Golden State about to play Golden State. Last year you guys knew if you could cover us, which you guys did, that we needed a little more size in our interior, a little more athleticism. So I come down the elevator and Timo is in the lobby and I swear it looked like I was seeing like the biggest human being I've ever seen in my life. I looked at Griff. He said he's a big mother, ain't he? I said he is absolutely. And when I seen him the very next night, he sprint from baseline to baseline, blocked shots, tipped dunks, alley-oops. I said we've got a great one, and also, Timo, thank you so much. You're a champion as well.
Mozgov,又是一個尼克來的球員…但還是不講這個,當我們得到Mozgov的時候,我記得Griffin(騎士GM)告訴我,我們將招募他入隊,你們絕對想不到吧?我第一次看到Mozgov,我們當時就在金州準備跟勇士隊打客場,如果你們有關注上季騎士的比賽,當然你們肯定有這麼做,所以你們一定知道騎士需要一個有運動能力的高大內線。我從電梯裡下來到大廳,Mozgov就在那,我發誓我當時看到的是這輩子遇到最大隻的人類…。我呆在那裏,Griffin說,「他喵的夠大隻吧!」我回答他,當然了。我隔天晚上看到他在場上飛奔、蓋火鍋、抓籃板、空中接力, 我告訴別人我們終於迎來了一個了不起的大傢伙,Mozgov謝謝你,你現在也是冠軍了。
Sasha (Kaun), a good friend of mine texted me the other day by the name of Mario Chalmers. He said, "You know you can't win a championship without a (Kansas) Jayhawk on my team." And I said, "You're right. I won two in Miami with you, and I get another one here with Sasha being an ex-Jayhawk in Kansas." Sasha, everything you did this year that no one's seen, working out with Timo every single day, committing to the game every single day. You worked out every single day with no vision of a coaching staff or us saying, "Sasha, you're going to play." You're going to get minutes. No entitlement. No entitlement all year, and you've got to be an unbelievable person and unbelievable professional to be able to take that and still come to work every day and give it your all. Thank you, Sasha.
Sasha Kaun,我一個好友,Chalmers傳訊息跟我說,「沒有堪薩斯大學Jayhawk隊的球員,你無法奪冠」,我告訴他,「你說的沒錯,因為我在邁阿密熱火隊時跟你一起拿了兩座冠軍啊!」 現在,我又有了Sasha Kaun,他是前Jayhawk隊冠軍中鋒。Sasha,本季你的表現沒人注意到,每天努力跟Mozgov訓練,每天為了比賽投入一切,在教練跟大家沒看到的時候還是每天在訓練,甚至沒有人跟你說,你只要好好練習,你就能得到上場時間,沒有多餘的承諾,一整年都沒有。但即便如此,你還是持續努力,付出一切。你會成為一個了不起的球員的。謝謝你,Sasha。
Little Kev, aka, R.J., Dick Jefferson, whatever you want to call him. You don't know this story point, either. I've got a lot of stories. But I want to thank DeAndre Jordan, because if DeAndre Jordan did not decide to go back to the Clippers, we wouldn't have R.J. on our team. You can Google the story. I'm not going to tell you the rest of it. But it weren't for that guy, we wouldn't have him. From day one we had R.J., I knew I had a guy that was playing behind me that I could trust, ask, count on. I don't think he realized he was going to play 35 minutes in Finals games. That's why he said he quit the other night. R.J., man, like you said, your first two years going to The Finals, me and you being on the Olympic team in '04, which was a s--- show, finishing third, everything you've been through in your career ... I'm just happy I was able to be a part of you winning your first championship, brother, thank you.
Little Kev,又可稱R.J., Dick Jefferson,看你們喜歡怎麼叫他都行。Richard Jefferson,你們也不知道他故事裡的秘密,我也有很多小道消息可說,但我想在這裡感謝一下DeAndre Jordan,如果不是他反悔回到快艇,我們也不會得到Jefferson,你們可以自己上網搜尋這一段,我就不再多說了。但如果不是DeAndre Jordan,我們還真拿不到Jefferson。從他加盟那天起,我知道他是值得信賴依靠的夥伴, 只是我猜他絕對沒有想到一點…他要在一場總冠軍賽上場高達35分鐘, 我想這就是他昨天晚上說拿到戒指後要退休的原因了。Richard Jefferson,你說過你前兩次總冠軍賽都輸了,還有我們一起在04奧運夢幻隊的時候,那次真是打到爛透了,只拿到銅牌,以及其他一些你職業生涯中遭遇過的種種事件。我很高興,我能成為陪伴你生涯首冠路程上的一份子。謝謝你,老哥。
Big Kev, Kevin Love. Wow. What y'all saying? Turn around? I will in a little bit. Give me a second.
Big Kev,Kevin Love。哇!那邊的朋友們你們在說什麼?(Kevin Love) 喔!要我轉過去啊?稍等我一下下。
Kev, when I knew we had the opportunity to get you two years ago, I didn't second-guess it. I think you knew how I felt. I told you in the 2000 Olympics that in order for us to win a gold medal, you had to be our anchor in the interior, and you looked at me like, man, you don't know me, shut up. And for the last two years, you kind of looked at me like that a few times as well. But this guy is so misunderstood. Everybody says he's not a team player. He's not a winner. He doesn't do what it takes. And you saw his struggles throughout The Finals. Everything that happened from the concussion to sitting out to him having the shooting struggles and things of that nature, and everybody burying him alive throughout The Finals. To be able to respond like he did in Game 7, that's what real men do. They respond in their most adverse times. We talk about the shot. We talk about the block, but the stop, that was on a two-time MVP, by the way. That was on a two-time MVP, but I'm going to let that go. Thank you, Kev.
Kevin,兩年前我知道有機會得到你時,我一點猶豫都沒有。我覺得你知道我的感受,因為在2000年打奧運時我就跟你講過,「為了拿到金牌,你要鞏固內線」, 你當時看了我一眼,表情好像是說「你懂個毛,閉嘴」。在過去的兩年裡,你也有幾次用那種表情看著我。可是說真的,Kevin太容易被人誤解了,大家都說他不是個團隊球員,不是個勝利者,不夠盡力;你們都看到他在總冠軍賽的表現很掙扎,從他腦震盪之後,投籃沒手感,大家都在冠軍戰狂酸Love,像要把他生吞活剝,但他在G7做到了,用強勢的表現做出回應(大家拍手聲),這就是正港男子漢的表現,真正的男人會在逆境中做出回應。我們都在講Irving的三分球,或者我的追魂鍋,但是那個防守(Curry)呢?那個防守擋下來的可是兩屆MVP喔!再說一次,Love守住的是兩屆MVP!剩下的我就不多說了,謝謝你,Kevin!
Channing (Frye), I didn't know you, man, before you got here. But I knew what you were capable of doing on the floor, and we had the opportunity to get you, I asked R.J. what type of guy he is. Said you're going to love him. I said bring him on. From day one since you got here, you've been nothing short of amazing. Both on the floor, but mostly off the floor. You are one of the greatest, funniest guys in the world. But also you're a true professional, and I'm happy to be along the ride to help win a championship with you. Thank you, Channing.
最後兩個人,我最喜歡的兩個傢伙,%F#%(故意叫錯),啊,是Channing Frye,在你來騎士隊之前我不知道你是誰,但我知道你能做出的貢獻,而在我知道你可能要過來時,我問Richard Jefferson,「Frye是怎樣的人?」Jefferson說「你會愛上他的」,我說「那就趕快把他帶過來啊!」從你來的第一天起,你就很不可思議,場上跟場下都是,尤其在場下。你是我看過最有趣的人之一,而且也是真正的職業球員,很開心跟你一起打球,謝謝你Channing,幫我們拿下冠軍。
Last but not least. My little brother, "Double T," (Tristan Thompson) who I've been taking care of since he was 17. Just to see this guy grow every day. It's been unbelievable to be a part of it. "Double T," you talked about someone being reliable. I mean, 390 straight games? That's reliable. Knowing when you get on the court, there's going to be that guy there every single night that's a treat to have. Man. I love you, little bro. Always and forever. I love all of y'all. Thanks to all of y'all, dog. I really appreciate it. So thank you for all the "LeBron wishes" and "coming home wishes," but I'm nothing without the group behind me, man. I'm nothing without the coaching staff. I'm nothing without the city. You guys are unbelievable. And these guys told me I've got to turn around. So I'm nothing without y'all. I love all y'all. I love all y'all, and, s---, let's get ready for next year.
最後,我的小兄弟,Tristan Thompson,我從你17歲就開始罩你了!當你看著他每天一點一滴成長,你會感到這太令人難以置信了,就是那種可靠的感覺,我是說,他連續390場出賽,這就是可靠!每次當比賽開始的時候你就知道他會上場,有你真的很幸運。我永遠愛你,小兄弟。我也愛你們所有人,謝謝你們大家,真的非常感謝, 謝謝所有對Lebron的祝福,及所有給我的返鄉祝福,但是若沒有身後這群人、沒有教練團,我什麼也不是,沒有這座城市,我什麼也不是,你們太不可思議了,我該轉過身來了, (轉身)沒有你們,我什麼都不是,我愛大家,謝謝!還有,喵的,為明年做好準備吧!
原文影音,請參考下面連結:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtsH3TlA--8
#高雄人 #學習英文 請找 #多益達人林立英文
#時事新聞
同時也有3部Youtube影片,追蹤數超過0的網紅SpiderGaming,也在其Youtube影片中提到,Jay Williams "sweep" Knicks interviewed presumed head coach front-runner Tom Thibodeau | The Jump Latest Update ESPN First Take at https://bit.ly/3eH...
knicks head coach 在 田鴻魁 Facebook 的精選貼文
好像也沒有太意外......
Knicks have reportedly fired head coach Derek Fisher (via ESPN sources)
knicks head coach 在 SpiderGaming Youtube 的精選貼文
Jay Williams "sweep" Knicks interviewed presumed head coach front-runner Tom Thibodeau | The Jump
Latest Update ESPN First Take at https://bit.ly/3eHlrkA
#thejump #rachelnichols #thejumptoday
knicks head coach 在 pennyccw Youtube 的最讚貼文
Hong Kong Media exclusive all star weekend highlights
with so many stars!!!
The 2017 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game that was played on February 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Smoothie King Center. It was the 66th edition of the event. The West won the game 192-182. The MVP of the game was Anthony Davis, who scored 52 points, the most ever scored by a player in an All-Star Game. It was initially planned to be held at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, home of the Charlotte Hornets. If the game had remained in Charlotte, it would have been the second time that Charlotte hosted the All-Star Game. The city previously hosted in 1991 at the now-demolished Charlotte Coliseum.[2]
On August 19, 2016, the NBA chose the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, home of the New Orleans Pelicans to host the All-Star Game, after it was pulled out of Charlotte because of the controversy surrounding North Carolina's "bathroom bill", better known as HB2.[3][4] The 2017 NBA All-Star Game is the first major sporting event in the United States to be relocated for political reasons since 1990. In that instance, the National Football League (NFL) relocated Super Bowl XXVII out of Tempe, Arizona, because the state did not recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day.[5] TNT and TBS televised the game.[6]
Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers 4
G DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors 3
F LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 13
F Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls 3
F/G Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks 1
Reserves[30]
G Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics 2
G John Wall Washington Wizards 4
F/C Kevin LoveINJ Cleveland Cavaliers 4
F Carmelo AnthonyREP New York Knicks 10
G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors 3
F Paul George Indiana Pacers 4
G Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets 1
F Paul Millsap Atlanta Hawks 4
Head coach: Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics)[27]
Western Conference All-Stars
Pos Player Team No. of selections
Starters[29]
G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 4
G James Harden Houston Rockets 5
F Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors 8
F Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs 2
F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 4
Reserves[30]
G Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 6
G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 3
F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 2
C DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 3
C Marc Gasol Memphis Grizzlies 3
C DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 1
F Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz 1
Head coach: Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors)[26
knicks head coach 在 pennyccw Youtube 的最讚貼文
After a drawn-out recruitment by the Memphis Grizzlies, Iverson finally confirmed Wednesday morning that he is indeed ready to sign with them, announcing via his Twitter feed: "God Chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career."
Referring to a Monday meeting with Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins, Iverson added: "I feel that they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them."
The Grizzlies are believed to be offering Iverson a one-year deal worth $3.5 million, which is far less than the nearly $21 million he earned last season in Denver and Detroit but more than anyone else was prepared to pay the 34-year-old.
At Heisley's behest, Memphis has been pursuing Iverson since July, ignoring concerns about his willingness to accept a reserve role or his ability to co-exist in the same offense with Mayo, Gay and Randolph because of Iverson's presumed ability to generate interest and sell tickets. The Grizzlies, throughout Heisley's ownership, have languished in the shadow of the Memphis Tigers' many successes in the collegiate game.
Grizzlies officials have yet to formally announce the signing but have made it clear since last week that they have merely been waiting for Iverson to take their offer.
In a radio interview Tuesday with WHBQ-AM in Memphis, Wallace sounded hopeful about Iverson ultimately joining the team, saying: "We had a very productive meeting yesterday where both sides got to know each other and what our expectations were. We got to hear Allen out, he got to hear us out and I thought it went pretty well."
Asked specifically about Iverson's well-known aversion to coming off the bench, Wallace said: "He indicated to us that he just wants to come in and help a team out, to get better, to win, and he'll shine during that process. I think Allen Iverson is going to be very fine with whatever role he would end up fulfilling here in Memphis. ... He knows where we're coming from, we know where he's coming from and I think if he comes here it's going to be a very productive marriage."
Monday's sitdown in Atlanta was the first face-to-face contact between Iverson and Grizzlies officials since the process began, with Memphis negotiating to this point primarily with Leon Rose, Iverson's agent.
Iverson has spent much of the past two months hoping that a firm offer would materialize from the Miami Heat, New York Knicks or Charlotte Bobcats, with the latter presenting the possibility of a reunion with former coach Larry Brown. But Iverson was ultimately forced to concede that only the Grizzlies had the financial flexibility and definite interest to pay him more than a minimum salary after his nightmarish stint with the Pistons.
Iverson played in only 57 games last season after being dealt by Denver to Detroit less than a week into the season and averaged a career-low 17.5 points, hampered by a back injury and his open struggles to cope with coming off the bench for the first time in his career. He would end up leaving the Pistons in April by mutual agreement before the playoffs.
But Iverson has insisted in recent days that he is amenable to whatever the Grizzlies have in mind for him as well as the steep drop from last season's salary, writing via Twitter: "Memphis is a place that I would love to play. The Grizzlies have good young players with a great upside. I love the city of Memphis, too.
"I would lead by example," Iverson wrote.
With Mayo at the same position, Mike Conley returning at point guard and Randolph's arrival over the summer, bringing in Iverson would appear to run counter to the Grizzlies' previous intent to develop a group of youngsters which also includes center Marc Gasol and No. 2 overall draft pick Hasheem Thabeet.
Yet in a July interview with ESPN.com, Heisley disputed suggestions that signing Iverson -- the sort of drawing card that the Grizzlies have never had in an eight-season run in Memphis marked by notoriously low attendance figures -- was dangerous or purely motivated by the prospect of ticket sales.
"What appeals to me?" Heisley said, repeating the question. "He's one of the greatest players in the last 10 years in the NBA."
In an interview Wednesday with NBA.com, Heisley said: "He told us he was very interested in playing with the young team we've assembled. He thought he could help us win and he was looking forward to helping the young players, and helping them to develop. Frankly, I'm ecstatic to have him.
"I don't buy into all of the stuff that's gone on. I'm not saying none of it happened. Some of it did ... but I know Allen is an excellent player. He's going to the Hall of Fame. ... The city of Memphis is going to be ecstatic to have him. We've never had a Hall of Famer, a guy of Allen's stature playing in Memphis. I feel Allen is going to be outstanding for us."