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that would be sweet, but i do not see it happening.
After Denver: Allen Iverson ’The Answer’ For Detroit And San Antonio?
Oly Sandor
Hoopsvibe.com
There is no chance Allen Iverson stays in Denver. If the Nuggets struggle, he gets traded for prospects/cap relief. If the Nuggets are compe ive, he still could get traded because his contract expires in July. If the Nuggets keep him for the year, he leaves as an unrestricted free agent come summer.
One thing is certain: ownership won’t extend Iverson. The club is losing money and George’s Karl’s offensive experiment has failed, which means a rebuilding project is approaching. Expensive veterans, even talented ones, won’t work long-term.
The superstar understands the situation. The winds of change are about to blow in Colorado. His bags are likely packed; the realtor’s ‘For Sale sign is ready.
Any mid-season trade is temporary. Iverson, as an unrestricted free agent in July of 2009, can pick between suitors. Will he sign with a mediocre team for big money and first-option status? Or will he sign with a contender for less money and less shots?
Hopefully, Iverson chooses the latter. The tiny guard should offer to be the top reserve on an established squad. The critics, the ones who claimed he wouldn’t sacrifice or play within a team concept, would be silenced.
Detroit and San Antonio would be perfect for a slightly toned down version of ‘The Answer’. Both should look at signing him next summer.
The Pistons have gambled on temperamental stars before. In February 2004, they took a risk acquiring Rasheed Wallace and a few months later were rewarded with an NBA le. ‘Sheed’ was the missing ingredient and the post’s behaviour has improved in Detroit.
Joe Dumars must consider the All-Star scorer. This summer, the Pistons’ head suit talked publicly about changing his club and Iverson would provide a Wallace-like jolt. The problem is Rodney Stuckey. A superstar sixth-man would hinder the prospect’s development. Stuckey, like all budding youngsters, needs minutes.
Go big or go home. That’s the Texas way. The Spurs should follow the state mantra and upgrade their core with the Georgetown alum. Iverson would make a great second-unit game-changer; his presence would push Manu Ginobili into the starting five.
San Antonio needs the tweak. The west has gotten better. Houston traded for Ron Artest, New Orleans signed James Posey, and the Los Angeles Lakers are expecting the Andrew Bynum-Pau Gasol combo to deliver. The black-and-silver could counter these moves by going fast in the backcourt with Iverson and Tony Parker (talk about a deadly combo off the dribble).
Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the Spurs would mesh with Iverson. The franchise’s four championships demand respect, while A.I. has been a model citizen with the Nuggets. Finally, ‘Pop’ is close with Iverson’s former coach Larry Brown, so he would do his research before making any commitment.
Like it or not, Iverson’s run in Denver is winding down. What happens next impacts his legacy. Hopefully, he joins a contender and we can again watch him in June.
that would be sweet, but i do not see it happening.
I just soiled my pants thinking about that.
Doesn't really makes sense for either team. Iverson is one of my favorite players in the league, maybe my most favorite player of the last 10 years. But, he's a volume shooter of the worst kind. He not only has to take all the shots, but he also needs the ball in his hands at all times. Even if Detroit parted with Billups in the process, the Pistons don't really have the personnel to fit around Iverson. They're not a great offensive rebounding team (though they could be better this year if Amir and Max get more and more PT), and the Pistons don't run isolation offensive sets nor really get up and down in transition. I would have loved Iverson on the Pistons like 6-7 years ago. That time has past.
I think it's a similar problem were he to join the Spurs. He doesn't really fit considering he would be similar to Tony Parker in that he would be slashing a lot to the rim and would need the ball in his hands a lot. So, unless the Spurs planned to move Parker (which would obviously be stupid considering his age and Iverson's age), Iverson would have problems fitting into the offense.
Iverson said good things about San Antonio after the radio flap of a couple years ago.
Still, I'm not sure this makes much sense on any number of levels. The Spurs would have to play small to get everyone minutes. Money they could use of their front line or a wing would go to AI, etc...
PG-Parker
SG-Iverson
SF-Ginobili/Bowen
PF-Duncan
C-Oberto
hmmmm.....
Well, you'd have to put up with Allen's mom, who's like five years older than him.
I love Allen, but I don't want him taking shots away from Parker, Ginobili or Duncan, which is exactly what he'd do.
NO
Thats what the Spews need, a 34 year old. Anyways I doubt they will get him. The only note worthy FA was paid by Cuban to play for the Spews.
Not if he comes off the bench with the second unit.
"The club is losing money"
I find that hard to believe considering Kroenke owns the building and every team that plays in it (NBA, NHL, Arena League, indoor lacrosse and some other junk) and his own cable network. There's no way Kroenke's not making money hand over fist.
Having said that, living in Denver and seeing a few Buttnuggets games since AI's come here...no way would I want him on the Spurs. Dude is a vortex...the ball doesn't come out of his hands. Maybe that'd be different if he had a Parker or Ginobili or Duncan he felt could finish (and trusted them enough to give 'em the rock) but every single crunchtime possession I've seen with the Buttnuggets goes something like this...scrub PG gets the ball to AI or Melo, who dribbles the ball till there's :03 on the shot clock, then throws a fallaway J over 3 outstretched defenders, then scowls at the rest of his team going back down the court off the rebound.
No thanks.
Big P: Ginobili is the second unit. And so is George Hill, who'll need consistent minutes.
Not if you let the Spurs play with a second basketball either, which is about as likely.
Iverson would be a great pickup for the Spurs. How he fits in is another story. But I'm going to say it again. Spurs need a big. They are overflowing at PG and SG.
AI shoots too much, and at a poor percentage. That isn't going to change, ever. We already have the version of AI that we need in Tony. He has ALL of the good parts, none of the bad parts, and is WAY younger.
Iverson would fit in perfectly, but the Spurs have nothing the Nuggets want, and the guys the nuggets want the Spurs won't give up
IE Bonner from the Spurs and the Nuggets wanting Ginobili.
True that, so hopefully he'll want to sign with us after he opts out next year.
I can't believe I'm agreeing with T Park but he's right. The trade pieces just aren't there for Iverson. Nuggets would be way better off picking up some pieces from Portland, Chicago and possibly even New York.
I dont see Pop putting up with his bs.
In this scenario the only way AI would come to the Spurs is by signing as a free agent next season, because the trade possibility is not probable. So, if he decided to sign with the Spurs, you know he would probably do it for less money because the Spurs only have the MLE to spend. So if he takes less money you can assume he is doing it because he wants to win. If he wants to win, then he will do what it takes even if that means coming off the bench.
Quit it, you know you like me
For anyone and everyone on this board that would even begin to entertain the possibility of the Spurs acquiring "The Answer", read the statements above - AGAIN and AGAIN.
Does anyone wonder why Denver is willing to part with him? Between him and Carmelo, they've got no offensive flow, terrible chemistry and porous defense. Does anyone really think that AI, after 12 years being a prolific scorer, shot-taker and and shot-maker, is going to change his style of play now? Forget it.
Don't fall in love with the player. Instead, consider how he affects the style and chemistry of your team. AI is superb talent, but a supreme "ball-hog" and a "rock pounder". He'd also wouldn't play for the minimum, which is about all the Spurs would have to offer.
All of which is why this move makes no sense for the Spurs and it WILL NOT happen.
Actually AI would fit in really well with the Spurs because he does score and score well, especially in crunch time.
Also he serves as a huge scoring dynamic and is not that bad of adefensive player.
AI would play ball, and has shown he will in Denver, hes been a team player and has not been a problem one bit there.
I think their biggest problem is Karl has worn out his welcome and they've just gone 100% away from what wins in the playoffs.
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