NBA: Iverson out to show he's no teddy bear

MEMPHIS - Allen Iverson has something to prove.

Although the 10-time all-star and 2001 league MVP has scored more than 23,000 points in his NBA career, he was not a highly sought-after free agent.

The 34-year-old guard heard all the talk that he has lost a step, that last year's dip in production indicated he is on the downside, maybe even ready for retirement.

Iverson wants to prove his critics wrong, and he will get his chance in Memphis. He signed a one-year contract yesterday with the Grizzlies, a team that hasn't reached the playoffs since 2006 and has never won a postseason game. The Grizzlies are coming off a 24-58 season.

"This year for me is so personal," the former 76ers star said. "It's basically going to be my rookie season again. It hurts, but I turn the TV on, I read the paper, I listen to some of the things people say about me having the season that I had last year and me losing a step, things like that. They're trying to put me in a rocking chair already."

The team and Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, declined to discuss specifics, although Rose said the deal is laden with team-oriented incentives. A base salary reported at about $3.5 million was increased after the Grizzlies withdrew a qualifying offer to guard Juan Carlos Navarro, freeing up money.

Iverson averaged a career-low 17.5 points a game last season with Denver and Detroit.

Referee lockout looms. NBA referees are prepared to be locked out for the start of the season after commissioner David Stern this week ended the latest bargaining session on a new contract.

The contract expired Sept. 1. Officials from the NBA Development League could end up calling NBA games.