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Monday, September 7

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Griz owner Michael Heisley, general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins had a "good" meeting with Allen Iverson tonight in Atlanta but still didn't get a definite answer from the free-agent guard. The meeting lasted more than two hours and was described as "frank, comfortable and friendly," according to a source familiar with the discussions. Both sides still seem very much headed toward an improbable basketball marriage. "I think it'll go down," the source said of an Iverson deal with Memphis. "It was a very positive meeting on both sides." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis wants Iverson on a one-year deal that pays $3.5 million, which is the amount the team has remaining under the salary cap. Iverson’s starting salary could increase to roughly $4.4 million should the Griz renounce their rights to Spanish guard Juan Carlos Navarro. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Free agent Allen Iverson said that he will meet with Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley on Monday, the clearest sign that the 34-year-old is leaning toward accepting the Grizzlies' one-year, $3.5 million offer. Iverson disclosed the information on his Twitter page late Sunday evening. "I am looking forward to meeting the owner of the Memphis Grizzlies on tomorrow," Iverson wrote, "along with his staff. I want to help them develop a winner." NBA.com

Reached later Sunday by ESPN.com, Heisley confirmed that the meeting will take place Monday in Atlanta, where Iverson has been working out in preparation for next season. ESPN.com

Several NBA sources said Iverson was to give the Griz an answer no later than last Friday. By Saturday, Iverson’s agent – Leon Rose – was trying to arrange a meeting between Iverson and Heisley. At this rate, Iverson could officially become a Griz by Tuesday. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Iverson has been courted this summer by the Heat, Bobcats and Grizzlies. The Los Angeles Clippers had a passing interest in him as well, but Clippers Coach Mike Dunleavy never seemed very excited about the possibility, preferring Milwaukee restricted free agent Ramon Sessions. But the Clippers couldn't come up with a sign-and-trade deal with Milwaukee that made sense, and Sessions signed a four-year, $16 million offer sheet last week with the Minnesota Timberwolves. NBA.com

A couple of months after publicly admitting that he wasn't sure if his banged-up body could handle another grueling season — something he privately told Jazz officials at the end of his personally painful 2008-09 campaign — the 11-year NBA veteran plans on discussing his options with front-office personnel early next week. "I haven't talked to the Jazz yet," Harpring, who makes his offseason home in the Atlanta area, said by telephone Sunday. Deseret News

The possibility of him not playing next season — for which he is under contract to make $6.5 million — remains an option under consideration. Deseret News

According to Greek media, Tyronn Lue had really interesting offer from Greek team Thessaloniki PAOK but he decided to spend another season in the NBA. Lue has won two NBA championships in his first three seasons. SLAM

With three weeks remaining before the New Orleans Hornets open training camp, General Manager Jeff Bower said he is not finished tinkering with the roster despite the recent additions of Emeka Okafor, Ike Diogu and the re-signing of Sean Marks. Bower is involved in talks for a deal, but he declined to give specifics. "We've got some things that we're working on that we're going to continue to move forward with," Bower said. "We're going to continue to find ways to improve this team, and we're looking into situations that we think will help us." New Orleans Times-Picayune

The Hornets shredded $3.9 million from their payroll by trading Butler. With their payroll at $74.9 million, if the Hornets don't decrease that total by the February trade deadline, they would have to pay the league a $1 for each dollar they are over the luxury tax threshold of $69.92 million next summer. "What we've tried to do all summer is improve our team on the court and also improve our (salary cap) flexibility," Bower said. "We made a lot of progress in both areas, and we will continue to make more progress as we round out the summer." New Orleans Times-Picayune

Hakim Warrick has joined the group of Bucks players working out at the Cousins Center in preparation for training camp, which begins on Sept. 29. The 6-foot-9 power forward signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Bucks earlier this summer, after the Memphis Grizzlies withdrew their qualifying offer to the former Syracuse star. Warrick became expendable when the Grizzlies acquired Zach Randolph in a July trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Warrick knows he has a true chance to claim the starting power forward spot and increase his playing time. He has averaged 21.4 minutes over the first four years of his NBA career, all in Memphis. "That's something that motivates me," Warrick said. "When I get consistent minutes, I've shown I can go out there and produce. Coming here, I want to show my consistency, be out there on the floor and help this team win." Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Back in Phoenix, informal workouts will get turned up a notch this week. They will start running full-court games on Tuesday. Jason Richardson is expected to join the play, leaving only Barbosa (he is expected back next week) and Dragic missing from the projected 13-man roster (still waiting on the Suns to waive Sasha Pavlovic). Arizona Republic

I don’t think anything “spooked” Bargnani, who is a relatively quiet guy off the court. I know there was an illness to a close family member that weighed on his mind, I know the sinus problem probably affected him more than we were told. I saw a far more personable and “involved” Bargnani in the locker room and off the court last year and expect the same this time around. Toronto Star

Charlie Villanueva: I can't wait to go Detroit. I still have lots to do, such as settling in, buying furniture, getting to know my way around, etc. I'm exited! Twitter.com

Andrew Bogut: Im addicted to carsonline.com. Addicted! Twitter.com

Krstic (Serbia) and Sefolosha (Switzerland) will represent their countries the next two weeks in the European Championships in Poland. "It’s really big in our country,” Krstic said. "You get better by playing in big games. It ends the day before I fly to Oklahoma City (for training camp), but physically I’ll be ready.” Oklahoman

"Anytime you’re in a competitive situation, playing the game at a high level, there is no downside,” said Thunder general manager Sam Presti. "Both of those guys carry significant roles for their teams.” Oklahoman

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Leandro Barbosa did not have to return to playing for Brazil this weekend, having already led his national team to a 2010 World Championship berth by helping it win its first six games in the FIBA Americas Championship. But his weekend effort was as valuable as the gold he now holds. After sitting out Brazil's final two quarterfinal round games, Barbosa returned to lead Brazil in scoring twice again. Barbosa posted 22 points in Saturday's semifinal win against Canada and added 24 points in Sunday night's gold medal game victory against host Puerto Rico. Arizona Republic

Luis Scola was chosen as the MVP of the FIBA Americas Championship by members of the media who covered the tournament. The Houston Rockets forward averaged a tournament high 23.3 points per game with a total of 233 points in 10 games. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks guard J.J. Barea practically announced his plans to join Puerto Rico's national team for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. "I'm sure that I will be in the World Championship, unless I'm injured," said Barea before the conclusion of the tournament Sunday. "I hope to be healthy and if I'm healthy, they (Dallas Mavericks) wouldn't have a problem letting me play for Puerto Rico." ESPN.com

"It is very difficullt for me. I came here [to the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, where all games took place] because I had to handle some things, but it is very difficult to be with the guys and the fans... It's been hard for me," Barea said. ESPN.com

The allocated hotel for Group C is downtown, a clean, perfunctory place that is housing Great Britain, Slovenia and the Serbs. But not the Spanish. That’s because their advance party arrived, took one look at the facilities, and promptly decided it wasn’t grandiose enough for a team of the stature of the world champions. Hence, Pau Gasol and Co are now billeted – at the FEB’s expense – at a five-star deluxe hotel elsewhere in the city. They have a point. The base for their three rivals teams lacks the kind of security that you’d expect at a major sporting championships. The public can come and go freely. There are coach-loads of tourists who can converse with (i.e. bother) the players. If this is the model the Polish hosts are perfecting for the 2012 European football championships, then it ain’t going to cut it for the privacy obsessed soccer squads. Britball

It sums up Eurobasket. It’s so low key in Poland’s capital that you could have not the slightest inkling it is taking place. There are no welcome banners at the airport. No festival downtown, nor outdoor hopes proclaiming – as FIBA Europe decrees – that ‘We Are Basketball’. Only at the fairly shabby Torwar Arena is there any kind of presence. Last we checked, this wasn’t a hoops crazy country. So, you wonder, why aren’t they attempting to build interest and convert the unconverted? One star for effort there. Britball

Adrian Wojnarowski: After ex-Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak rejected D-League's Idaho Stampede, sources say Bob MacKinnon Jr., will be named new coach this week. Twitter.com

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