They couldn't trade him this summer, I wouldn't hold your breath on it happening now. He was almost a Celtic but that deal fell through. I agree Atl. would be a good choice, he already has a house there and likes the area but their management problems make it unlikely. From the articles I've read, there seem to be several problems with Mo, not just AI but I guess we'll see what King does.
Exactly. I was thinking you could make a possible argument for Eric Snow, however, Sixers did make it to the finals and AI an MVP award when he was around...
Billy King did a horrible job of getting the right pieces and coaching staff around AI and the Sixers.
They could trade him, they just didn't want to dump him. Denver has been after him hard for a couple of years.
But that was when the team wanted to do it. Now with AI wanting out and not playing as hard, its a done deal he's gone.
According to two NBA GMs, the Sixers are aggressively trying to move Iverson, but other Sixers may be traded as well. Iverson's salary (currently $17.1 million with $19M and $20.8M remaining) won't make it easy to move him and Andre Iguodala or Samuel Dalembert could also be included in a deal. We're hearing from NBCSports.com's Frank Isola that Denver is the early leader for his services, while Chris Webber is also reportedly being shopped by the team, and his contract may have to be included in an Iverson trade. With the trade rumors and his latest injury, it's possible that Iverson has played his last game for the Sixers.
I agree with you that AI hasn't had much help.
But I do agree with Dimsah that AI will never be the second option on any team, regardless of personnel. I also agree with Dimsah that AI's offensive style (one-on-one) can smother the talents of the other players, unless he finds the right compliment.
That is very few places in this league, if any, though it won't stop whoever gets him from telling you that AI is just what they need.
He shoots a lot, yes, but he never has had another player to take those extra shots, so he has to shoot. And the last 4 years or so he has averaged 7 plus assists, so I think putting him with another legitimate scoring threat would do wonders for a team. Can you imagine him and Redd, or Joe Johnson? It would be sick
Tons of talent around him? Who? Matt Geiger? Aaron Mckie? He has never had another top player around him and still took a scrub squad to the finals. The closest thing hes had is Webber, who was already broken down. The reason he doesnt make his teamates better is because his teamates suck.
If you're lucky enough to have every other player on the team as good defensiveley as that team you don't need a lot of scoring.
This is the only kind of team that Iverson could have thrived in. Surrounded by guys that did nothing but play defense. Look at the starting 5 for that team.
pg: Eric Snow
sg: Iverson
sf: George Lynch
pf: Tyrone Hill
c: Mutombo
6th: Aaron McKie
Let's not forget head coach Larry Brown.
Aaron McKie won sixth man of the year. Mutombo won defensive player of the year, and Larry Brown won coach of the year.
If you think Iverson was the only reason they got to the finals, you're sadly mistaken. How else does a team that shoots 42% for the season get to the finals?
Yes, the same Glenn Robinson that averaged almost 21 a game every year until he joined the sixers. And Iverson couldn't play with Stackhouse either.What All-Stars are you referring to? Glenn Robinson? The guy was done by the time he got traded to Philly, which is why he never got a job back in the NBA after 2005. Jamal Mashburn? Did he even suit up for them? Webber had a great offensive season last year, but can't stay on the floor because he's so slow defensively. That's why his numbers are way down. Iverson hasn't had a good scoring teammate besides a gimpy Webber since Stackhouse in like '98.
Don't be fooled by his 7 assist avg. AI brings the ball up the court and has the entire offense flow through him. It's logical that he takes the shot or that the one person he dishes to takes the shot.
I'm convinced Redd would return to his spot-up shooting roots, waiting for the AI kickout that may or may not come and ignore the rest of his game, which he has vastly improved.
Joe Johnson would be just about the best compliment in the backcourt to AI, though as I previously stated, I think he's gotten used to being THE guy in Atlanta, and I'm not sure he'd want to concede the crown so quickly...
Maybe with K.G. he would work.
Those are all pretty good players in their time, but none of them were dominant players. A.I. has never had another consistent scorer on his team, so he has never had the chance to be anything other than what we have always seen.
Add Iguadola to that list. I'm convinced that if this kid played for another team, he'd be a legit star by now....maybe Josh Howard-level. He's got the tools, but not the ball.
Iguodala doesnt score because he cant shoot and averages 3 turnovers a game, thats why Korver gets the ball more. Iguodala cant score on his own, when A.I. was hurt last year Andre had plenty of chances and didnt do . Dont blame AI because Andre hasnt hired a shooting coach
Nash is a point guard that averages 10 plus assists, AI is a shooting guard that averages 7 plus assists, different positions
The problem isn't the supporting cast, it's the offense running through AI.
He's a better-scoring first option than just about every other player in the league. BUT, he does a worse job than most other "first options" at getting the ball to his second, third, and fourth options. I think the scoring desparity between Iverson and second option, an 18 PPG difference, has less to do with Iguadola or Korver's talent as it does with AI's inability to get them the ball.
I can see what you mean, but isnt the point guards job to distribute? The 76ers should have brought in a true pg long ago when they realized AI wasnt a point.
He's not supposed to HAVE to score on his own. His #1 scoring option should help to create opportunities for him....which AI does not.
Naw man it makes perfect sense, but what Im saying is that when the 76ers went to the finals they did have a true point guard but not another score, if AI had both, or even a low post prescence that he has never had, we might think differently of him
Tony doesnt really create and averages less assists but he isnt refered to the same way
That's when he was at his best, when Snow was the PG.
But now it appears that'll be someone else's issue...hopefully someone with an unselfish point guard...a bigger one too, b/c it would kill the defense to have AI and another 6ft nothing pg out there...
It would require the coach of that team to force AI to run through that low post guy, causing him to defer (a.k.a. option #2) and it's just hard for me to see AI in that role.
Tony averages less assists b/c the offense predominantly goes through Tim Duncan. This will slowly change over the course of the next few years as Tony will undoubtedly become #1 scoring option.
Though I agree, that his game and AI's are not too dissimilar.
The Sixers will surely look different without him, AI has been the Sixers for many years now. He is the image of the team. It's gonna be weird without him here.
Well it hasn't happened yet, but it sounds as if the rumor and speculation are grounded in reality.
You're bringing up Derrick Coleman? The greatest underachiever in NBA history? The same Derrick Coleman who couldn't play with anyone but Syracuse?
Larry Hughes? What was he? 19 when he played with Philly? The guy has had one good season his whole career, and has been nothing but a disappointment the rest of it.
Is it AI's fault that Joe Smith sucked on Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Denver too?
Tim Thomas? Mr. 37% from the field now that he's got his contract from the Clippers? He's never had a good season, and has only looked good at times in contract years. Otherwise, he's worthless.
Keith Van Horn? You're really reaching here. KVH has always been one of the 5 worst players in the league.
Kenny Thomas? Tyrone Hill? When have they ever been offensive players?
The only guy you can even make an argument for is Stackhouse. Then again, Stack's never been known for his maturity either, so it's not a one-way street there.
LIke who? John Salmons? Matt Barnes? Kyle Korver?
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