THE SPORT COUNT

Allen Iverson has made some audacious claims since coming to Memphis. The latest, in an extended interview with Scoop Jackson, involves Iverson claiming that even a playoff berth for the Grizzlies would not be enough to satisfy him — he wants a championship!

"I came for the music, but I'll stay for a championship."

These aspirations have been generally received by the illustrious blogosphere as preposterous, the rumblings of a 34-year old mad man. However, let’s take Iverson at his word for a second. Is it, in fact, possible for this rag-tag bag of youngsters and selfish veterans to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy next June?

5 steps to success for the Memphis Grizzlies:

1. Hasheem Thabeet becomes a defensive beast

By beast, we’re talking Mutombo levels of beast.

If Thabeet were to become the best defensive big man in the game, he’d hide the glaring defensive weaknesses of Zach Randolph. If you take Zach’s inability and unwillingness to rebound out of the equation, he’s actually a solid contributor — 20/10, even if those 20 points are at a very bad clip for a big man (46.6% over his career).

2.Allen Iverson’s cult of personality

Allen Iverson must be loved by this team –- and he needs to show love back.

Iverson, in his prime, was capable of leading a band of misfits (starters included George Lynch, Tyrone Hill, and Aaron McKie) to the NBA Finals, and even taking a game off one of the best teams of a generation, the 2001  Lakers. A lot is said about Iverson’s ball hog attributes and negative locker room personality — by the media. Rarely, if ever, is Iverson criticised by teammates. If Iverson can unite the team behind him, and figure out a way to get the guys involved, Memphis just might make a playoff run.

3.Mike Conley wins most improved player of the year

After being taken with the 4th overall selection in a stacked draft, Conley has failed to live up to his potential. Plain and simple, he’s being overshadowed by young guns like Jameer Nelson, Rondo and Rose, not to mention Paul and Williams, to the point where he’s not even in most conversations about young point guards.

Conley must become a competent and solid double figure assists player, getting easy baskets to his wing players in transition and hitting open shots. If Conley becomes the general of this team and manages to earn the respect of the vets and youngsters alike, there will be a solid foundation for success.

"Will I bang in the low-post this year? Who knows... probably not!"

4.Randolph, Thabeet and Gasol need to bang

Thinking  about it — and contingent on Thabeet being a beast (I have doubts) — this is a really solid frontcourt. Not many teams — even contenders — have a young per-36 double-double average player like Gasol languishing on the bench.

Randolph’s clip, as previously mentioned, is disgusting. However, if he can bang inside a little more, and Conley can get him the rock deep, his efficiency will skyrocket and he’ll add some value to the team.

5.OJ Mayo wins sixth man of the year

I know what you’re thinking — here’s a guy who, in many years, would’ve had ROY honours, and now we want him to come off the bench? Well, for this team to succeed, he will have to.

Iverson cannot, and will not come off the bench for anyone, much less the Griz. He will likely take less minutes, but starting is clearly something he needs to do to get a feel for the game and stay happy, which is essential to Memphis doing well.

Mayo, like Iverson, requires a ludicrous amount of ball to be effective. You can toy with playing him at PG, but that’s a stupid idea if Iverson is SG. Likewise, playing Iverson at PG with Mayo at SG; it just won’t work, like Monta Ellis next to Stephen Curry.

Playing Mayo  32+ minutes off the bench would give Memphis one of the most versatile scoring guards in the league in their second unit. If you thought the streaky J.R. Smith in the second unit of the Nuggets was impressive in last season’s playoffs, Mayo will startle — especially considering that he’s going to be guarded by the likes of Tony Allen and Chris Duhon.

So, there are our arguments. I don’t think anyone honestly believes that the Grizzlies could win a championship during Iverson’s tenure with the club, but if the above should come to fruition, there will certainly be a strong enough core to contend for the final playoff spot in the ever so tough, Western Conference.

Posted by: James

Follow the Sport Count for searing insights, breaking news, and incessant slurs directed at Chris Wallace.