As an undersized and unemployed 34-year-old shooting guard, it's easy to co-opt Allen Iverson's nickname and attach some tired whimsy to his current job search.

But even when he was lighting up entire teams as the whirling dervish of Philly, even when being referenced as "The Answer" wasn't accompanied by sarcasm, it was always difficult to ascertain just what in the heck the question had been.

In Iverson, the Grizzlies would have a scoring guard who could (rolling my eyes here) facilitate moving young hotshot O.J. Mayo to the point. (O.J. would have to play point guard because Iverson would never let him have the ball otherwise.) The notion of Iverson running an offense (any place other than into the ground) is hilarious. Despite pleading from coaches and other educated observers, he's avoided this duty his entire career. Why would he change now?

Maybe he realizes his career is on its deathbed and wants to make things right. That's a nice way to rationalize signing Iverson, but I wouldn't stake my general-managing career on him seeing the light.

Speaking of the bright side, with Iverson in a Grizzlies uniform, rookie center Hasheem Thabeet would have a shot at leading the league in offensive rebounding, especially if Iverson's 31-percent career three-point shooting continues to flourish near Beale Street.

We're not sure how many more butts Iverson would put in Memphis seats, but he'd probably keep the franchise in good shape for another run at Secaucus.

From that New Jersey interlude, let's move down to Florida, where another reputed Iverson suitor resides.

So ... would Pat Riley even consider offering Iverson a starting spot with the Miami Heat? We all realize Riley is desperate to keep Dwyane Wade happy (and in Miami), but putting those two in the same backcourt smells like an ego-propelled disaster I would pay to see.

Don't forget Miami has another rising volume shooter named Michael Beasley.

Yeah, if putting Allen Iverson next to Wade can't inspire Wade to sign a contract extension, nothing will.

No question about it.