The Grizzlies have not been shy about the fact that they have pursued Iverson for only one reason—to sell tickets. There's probably some questions about whether the 34-year-old coming off the worst season of his career can still do that. Especially when he's on the bench because he's just realized what a futile endeavor it is trying to play basketball in Memphis. Does anyone really think this ends well?

The deal is not done, because Iverson would probably prefer to play elsewhere, but it's doubtful that anyone else can offer him decent money. So is this how he goes out? A journeyman picking up scraps from basement dwellers? Or will he find a way to make himself a role player, taking a substantial pay cut to blend in with a winner?

Well, we're talking about Allen Iverson, so what do you think?

Memphis Grizzlies GM confirms making offer to Allen Iverson [ESPN]

Let's see if we can get this straight now: In 2004, the Blazers gave Miles an ill-advised six-year, $48 million contract. About a year and a half into it, Miles got hurt and had to have microfracture surgery. (Whatever that is.) He missed half of 2006 and all of the next two seasons. Portland, desperate to rid themselves of his contract, had his injury declared "career-ending," which allowed them to cut Miles and get the remainder of his contract taken off the books for salary cap purposes. (Though they still have to pay him the money, I think.) However, if it turns out that the player's career is not over—and it doesn't look like it is—another team can sign him. If he plays in just 10 games, the salary cap relief for his original team is rescinded.

In Portland's case, that's $18 million they cannot afford, which effectively destroys their salary cap on a player who hasn't suited up for them in three years. They are desperate to not let that happen, but to avoid it means sabotaging any attempt by Miles to make a comeback. They preemptively threatened to sue any team that picked him up, claiming any team that did so would only be doing it to hurt the Trail Blazers and not because they feel Miles has any basketball value—which in Portland's eyes, he clearly doesn't because he's a bum. They brought in doctors to testify to his ineptitude, bad mouthed Miles around the league trying to convince everyone his injury was irreversible, and threw in the lawsuit threats just for kicks. Whatever it takes to keep Miles off of NBA courts.

Of course, Memphis probably wasn't interested in playing Miles to begin with, but as soon as Portland dickishly pointed out that such a move would hurt the Trail Blazers franchise, the Grizzlies probably figured, "Yes, let's do that." Spite is a powerful motivator, as is being able to screw over a rival team with a simple ten-day contract. Miles will be on the Memphis roster for at least three more games, and all he has to do is play in two of them to stick it to his old team big time.

Questions surround Trail Blazers' actions [NBA.com]
Grizzlies ignore threat, sign Darius Miles [AP]

When last we saw them: Okay, okay. Chances are you never actually saw the Grizzlies last season. But they finished 22-60, fifth in the Southwest Division and 14th overall in the West.

Incoming: Antoine Walker, Darrell Arthur, Hamed "Who's Your" Haddadi, Marc Gasol, O.J. Mayo, Quinton Ross

Outgoing: Andre Brown, Brian Cardinal (major loss there), Jason Collins, Juan Carlos Navarro, Kwame Brown, Mike Miller

The Good: This might surprise you, given last year's Free Pau Gasol Giveaway, but the Griz have talent and a future. Their core is composed of former top 10 picks from the last three drafts: O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley and Rudy Gay. They've also got a couple new big boys to help up front: Darrell Arthur and Marc Gasol. Oh, and they're going to have some big bucks left over to throw at free agents in the summer of 2009. So yeah, the Grizzlies may be rebuilding, but they're off to a pretty good start. Gay is already firmly established, based on last season's numbers: 20.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, and 2.0 APG. Mayo was immense in the NBA Summer League, averaging 18.8 points, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He also hit a 69-foot buzzer beater against the Spurs and brutally posterized Hilton Armstrong. Arthur and Conley were also strong in Vegas, and Gasol - a former MVP from the Spanish ACB League - looked solid (if unspectacular) in the Olympic Summer Games. Basically, the team is full of youth, athleticism and excitement. Which is a hell of a lot better than the poop they were full of last year. Oh, and did I mention that Brian Cardinal and Kwame Brown are history? That's a textbook example of addition by subtraction.

The Bad: The thing about youth and athleticism is that it often comes hand-in-hand with foolish inexperience. So expect mistakes. Lots of them, probably. And that excitement gets a little hard to sustain in the midst of a 30-win (or less) season. The Griz have six guards on the roster, and five of them are PGs. Who's going to play the point? And who's going to be shoehorned into a backup SG role? Furthermore, Memphis is a little lacking in the size department, which could mean that Gay will have to slide over to the PF position at times...and that does not suit him. This is the first year that the words "potential breakout year" haven't been used describe Darko Milicic, and for good reason. Antoine Walker is still Antoine Walker. (Did you know that every time someone says his name, Antoine shoots a three-pointer? It's true.) Speaking of threes, Memphis is grievously weak from the outside, and the Miller trade sure didn't help that. They also struggled in various other categories last season, including free throw shooting (where they ranked 26th in the league), assists (where they ranked 28th) and turnovers (also 28th). But their biggest problem is not on offense. Last season, the Grizzlies were an atrocious defensive team: They finished tied for last in opponents' field-goal percentage (48.0) and 28th in points allowed (106.9). Historically speaking, youth movements don't usually lead to better defense, especially when the coach is talking so openly (and gleefully) about pushing the tempo.

Fun Facts: The Vancouver Grizzlies (along with the Toronto Raptors) were founded as an expansion franchise in 1995. Both teams were the first NBA teams to play in Canada since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies. The Grizzlies were originally supposed to be named the Vancouver Mounties, but were forced to find a new name due to objections from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (I wonder what they had to say about this guy?) In the 1995–96 season, the Griz lost 23 straight games from February to April, setting an NBA single-season record shared with the Denver Nuggets (the overall record of 24, stretching between seasons, is still held by the Cleveland Cavaliers).

Videotastic extra: NBA action in Memphis. It's grandparent-tastic!

Unfortunately, the video above doesn't have the actual moment, though if anyone happened to catch it, we're all ears. Our favorite part, as pointed out by AA, is that the woman lists herself as a "sea captain." In Tennessee. Which is awesome.

• Goodbye Fifty. We'll Miss You. Figures that Kobe Bryant's mad scoring streak would end against the Grizzlies, the NBA's worst team. Bryant scored 23 points in Memphis' 88-86 win over the Lakers on Tuesday, as his string of at least 40 points in five straight games — including 50 in the first four — came to a screeching halt. "They played a box, and I haven't seen that since high school,'' Bryant said. "Other than that, I was able to raise up and get good looks at the basket. It just didn't go in for me.'' Bryant scored 60 points against Memphis this past Thursday.

• The Wisdom Of The NBA's Yoda. The NBA Lottery leads to temptation, temptation leads to anger, anger is the path to the Dark Side ... Houston Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy says that the NBA Lottery should be open to all 30 teams, so that teams will not tank games toward the end of the season. "I think every team should have an equal chance at winning the lottery, from the best team all the way down," Van Gundy told the Houston Chronicle. "I don't want to accuse anyone of anything. I would say to take away any possible conflict of interest, everyone should have an equal chance at the top pick all the way down. That way there would be absolutely no question by anybody about anything."

• His Enthusiasm Is Cavtagious. Interesting quote by LeBron James, after asking coach Mike Brown to leave a team meeting on Tuesday morning. "This is my team, that's my responsibility to make sure everyone's on course,'' James said. "There can be a lot of distractions on a five-game road trip.'' Yes, distractions come in many forms, with a multitude of carpet samples. But it all worked out for the best, as James had 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists Tuesday night in Cleveland's 105-94 win over the Pacers. The victory clinched a playoff berth for the Cavs.

• As The Century Turns. We love the term "turn of the century," especially since the year 2000 arrived. The Hornets haven't beaten the Mavericks since Nov. 17, 1999, at 21 games the longest current losing streak for one team against an opponent in the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball. Even throwback night couldn't help New Orleans on Tuesday in a 105-89 loss to Dallas. Of course, no one is beating the Mavericks these days. Josh Howard had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Dallas.

Deer hunting season is underway, and the Grizzlies will have their shots aimed at the Milwaukee Bucks when they visit FedExForum on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. for 'Camo Night'. Join the Grizzlies in celebrating the Mid-South's enthusiasm for hunting, fishing and the great outdoors while also saving a Buck or two.

It should be quite an experience for the athletes of the NBA to be surrounded by tens of thousands of people form whom it is actually socially acceptable to own guns.

"Camo Night" Tonight In Memphis [Hoops Addict]
Grizzlies to Hold Camo Night on Wednesday, December 27 [NBA.com]
Maybe Karl Malone Should Just Give Up Hunting [the mighty mjd]

Kobe Bryant left the basketball court and entered the spectators' section where Bill Geeslin was sitting and landed on Mr. Geeslin. While Defendant was on Mr. Geeslin in the spectators' section, the Defendant committed assault and battery and engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct when the Defendant, without provocation, violently struck Mr. Geeslin with the Defendant's elbow, causing Mr. Geeslin injury and damages.

As a proximate result of the Defendant's conduct, Mr. Geeslin received injuries for which he sought medical attention and has suffered great pain of body and mind.

All told, as far as these things go, Kobe should be pleased about this relatively mild case of "extreme and outrageous contact."

We will keep Mr. Geeslin and his "great pain of body and mind" in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully he will someday recover.

Kobe Bryant Hit With Lawsuit In A Memphis Court [ABC24]
The Braves Soldiers Of The Smoking Gun [Deadspin]

Here's a look at views from around the Web on the four Western Conference matchups.

Spurs vs. Kings
• Bill Simmons: Spurs in seven.
• Daily Quickie: Spurs in six.
• YAYSports!: Spurs in six.
• J.E. Skeets: Spurs in six.
• Gilbert's Arena: Spurs in seven.
• Complete Sports: Spurs in five.
• Chris Sheridan: Spurs in five.
• Deadspin: Spurs in five.

Suns vs. Lakers
• Bill Simmons: Lakers in six.
• Daily Quickie: Suns in five.
• YAYSports!: Suns in seven.
• J.E. Skeets: Suns in five.
• Gilbert's Arena: Suns in five.
• Complete Sports: Lakers in seven.
• Chris Sheridan: Suns in seven.
• Deadspin: Lakers in seven.

Nuggets vs. Clippers
• Bill Simmons: Clippers in six.
• Daily Quickie: Clippers in seven.
• YAYSports!: Clippers in seven.
• J.E. Skeets: Clippers in six.
• Gilbert's Arena: Clippers in six.
• Complete Sports: Nuggets in six.
• Chris Sheridan: Clippers in seven.
• Deadspin: Nuggets in seven.

Mavericks vs. Grizzlies
• Bill Simmons: Mavericks in four.
• Daily Quickie: Mavericks in five.
• YAYSports!: Mavericks in five.
• J.E. Skeets: Mavericks in five.
• Gilbert's Arena: Mavericks in four.
• Complete Sports: Mavericks in six.
• Chris Sheridan: Mavericks in six.
• Deadspin: Mavericks in four.

OK, bring it people. Let's hear 'em.

Tonight, at 8 p.m. ET, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Los Angeles Clippers in one of the final games of the season. Ordinarily, a late-season game between the Grizzlies and the Clippers would be meaningless, because both teams would be long out of the playoffs. But this year, they're battling for playoff seeding ... but in the wrong direction.

As Mark Cuban pointed out more than a week ago, there is absolutely no reason for either team to want to win tonight. Whoever finishes with the sixth seed — the worse record — has the home-court advantage against the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Whoever ends up with the fith seed — the better record — has to play on the road against Dallas ... and if they somehow survive that, they get the Spurs.

We know the playoffs is all about beating whoever is front of you. But if you know you can make it easier on yourself, and get yourself more games in front of your home fans, why would you want to even try tonight?

Should be something to see. We're not gamblers here, but we'd highly suggest the under here. We have a feeling the Clippers will revert to history and, finally, win ... exactly when they're supposed to lose.

The Clippers And Grizzlies Have A Lot To Lose For [Detroit Bad Boys]
NBA Playoff Seeding ... What If [Blog Maverick]

(UPDATE: Frighteningly, Woody Paige appears to have a point on how to best deal with this game. A reader writes:

"Call me crazy, but I think Woody Paige has a solution regarding this one — change the rules of that specific game so that the Clips are scoring points for the Grizz and the Grizz for the Clips. I think we would see, easily, the most competitive NBA game in years. Both teams would absolutely play their asses off."

By the way, we don't actually suggest betting the under. As always, we're terrible at gambling advice.)

That bear in the team logo looks mighty pissed off — and you would be too, if your franchise had never won a darned thing since its inception in 1995. That includes when it was the Vancouver Grizzlies — the first NBA team, along with the Toronto Raptors, to play in Canada since the Toronto Huskies in 1947. Bet you didn't know, by the way, that on the original franchise application to the NBA, the team name was listed as the Vancouver Mounties. That would have been so sweet. But the Canadian goverment, killjoys that they are, nixed the deal, claiming that the name was copyrighted. Of course that never stopped that stupid Dudley Dooright movie with Brendan Frasier. So today we could have been watching the Memphis Mounties. And that would have been cool. Oh, another reason the logo bear is peeved — there's only one Grizzlies blog out there. Come on, people!

1. On the Grizzlies. This claims to be "one man's obsession" by a "rabid Grizzlies fan." But the rabies seem to have been cured sometime over the summer, when posting became infrequent.

Helpfully, the Grizzlies brass has put together a PDF file to help fans make their own beards, which awfully nice (it even comes with instructions). It's such a convincing model, in fact, that we're fairly certain now that Jake Plummer's is fake. Not Kyle Orton's, though; that guy's will live for decades.

Wear a Beard, Score a Ticket [Grizzlies.com]

But none of us knew the depths of it. The spunky kids at Yay!Sports have uncovered a most enjoyable feature on Battier's official site. You can get constantly refreshing bits of Battier Wisdom, nuggets like "I didn't always enjoy things as they were. Instead of slowing down sometimes and watching the sunset, I'd be worried about what time I had to get up the next morning" and "I like to play video games and cook some."

As Yay!Sports puts it, all athletes should have these. From Darius Miles: "I am so high right now. WOW."

Shaneisms [ShaneBattier.com] (via Yay!Sports)