- The Grizzlies photoshop the future.
The circus came to FedExForum today, and unlike Ringling Brothers, this one promises to stick around awhile.
The Grizzlies introduced Allen Iverson at a press conference in the lobby of FedExForum before a large group of local media, civic dignitaries, and excited fans. Even before he took the stage, Iverson proved a uniting force, as Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowry and former mayor Willie Herenton shook hands before taking seats only a few feet apart. (Later, both Lowry and Herenton were introduced to a mixture of cheers and boos, Herenton lustily pumping his fist, shaking the haters off.)
When Iverson did stride up to the dais, wearing jeans, a baggy white shirt, a tilted blue Grizzlies cap, and flanked by coach Lionel Hollins, general manager Chris Wallace, and owner Michael Heisley, the assembled fans went nuts, Wallace beamed in a mix of surprise and amusement, Iverson smiled, and it was on. Periodically throughout the press conference, a fan sitting behind would bellow “A.I.! A.I.!”
