Iverson Traded to Denver

[Oznogrd]

No matter where he goes, he will always give 100% on the court, you should respect that. I know you're talking about his attitude off the court, but I don't how you can think of that changing.

My take on this: while iversons style of play shows him always giving 100% i dont believe he's given 100% in a couple of years. While stats and fouls taken etc. may show he "puts his body on the line" and "plays all out" i dont think its the same iverson i was in awe of in the 2001 Finals (i believe, if i'm mistaken feel free to correct me) That iverson had something about him. Purpose maybe? It seems to me the past couple years while AI desperately wants to win, he knows he cant. He often times just looks like he just says "fuck it, i'm done" and gives in. Yes i realize how frustrating it can be to do everything you can and still lose because of lack of talent around you, but that doesnt mean you can give in. For instance when he left that game early, not showing to practice, and going to very few of the team events; that shows something to me. While he's not "on the court" that shows he really doesnt give a fuck about the team. He truly just cares about himself at this point and if the team succeeds cool, if not, too bad. yes i know he moved to PG to "help the team" and all that, but could you imagine the lambasting if he didnt? i think that was his chance to get out of philly; but at that point they didnt look as bad off as now. I'm not saying he's not as good a player as always. But i think he's giving less of himself over to the game as the 76er's have spiralled downward. As you said this is mainly offcourt, maybe the offcourt stuff is blurring my vision while he's on court. But i cannot respect a player if he's only giving himself partially over to the game, and even then its for his own motives.

about the trade itself: I have to admit i wouldnt mind a bibby/artest/iverson kings...always been a fan of bibby and hoped he would get a team around him. But as i 've read more of the thread i see odds are Minnesota...this could get VERY interesting...

[kinokong]

garnett and iverson.... how many bandwagoners would show up then?

[shadowgrin]

He would have to be the secondary scorer on that team, and we really dont know how AI would accept that kind of a role.

AI can accept a secondary scoring role if he had a superstar teammate on Philly that could efficiently score and not just jack up shots from the perimeter instead of working on the post.

not showing to practice, and going to very few of the team events

He still did those things in 2001 (the year which made you in awe with AI) and yet they still made the Finals.
The Brown and AI drama, sweet memories.

i dont believe he's given 100% in a couple of years. While stats and fouls taken etc. may show he "puts his body on the line" and "plays all out" i dont think its the same iverson

Age coupled with the constant physical contact he's had over the years because of his playing style have taken its toll on his body. The reason he still puts up awesome 32-8 numbers, despite the wear and tear, is because of the softened rules, imo.

[shadowgrin]

This impending AI trade is driving me nuts as a 76ers fan. I'll post snippets of some articles.
Dallas seems to be in the running because of Devin Harris, but Cuban hesitates.

According to sources, 76ers general manager Billy King has targeted Mavericks guard Devin Harris – a favorite of the executive's going back to Harris' college days at Wisconsin – as a primary piece to a potential package with Dallas.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wouldn't deny that he's engaged in trying to make a deal for Iverson but wrote in an email to Yahoo! Sports on Friday night, "We wouldn't trade Devin."

And the players offered by the others in the running:

The Celtics have a deep roster of young players, including forward Al Jefferson and guards Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair and Rajon Rondo, to send to Philadelphia. Also, they have the weighty veteran contract of Theo Ratliff to help balance Iverson's contract in a deal.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, with a possible package of Ricky Davis and rookie guard Randy Foye out of Villanova, is also believed to be a factor.

And more reason for me to hate the 76ers management:

Iverson said he was told not to participate in shootaround and instead watched from the sideline. He joined the Sixers in the huddle, then was told by Cheeks not to come to the Wachovia Center.

"In my entire career, even the doctors haven't been able to tell me not to play," Iverson said. "I've played through injury and illness. I think everyone knows how much I love being out on the court, competing and winning. That's why it was so disheartening to be told that I couldn't play, knowing that I was ready. It hurt even more to be told not to come at all."

Even with the Sixers sinking toward another lottery-bound season, Snider said Cheeks' and King's jobs were safe.

I'll just let emoticons show what I'm feeling for those bastards of the Sixers management..

[---]

a decent center in Mark Blount

10.9PPG 5.7RPG 51.3%FG in only 27 minutes per is decent to me.

Blount is 17th among centers in rebounding, 7th among centers in scoring, 19th among centers in field goal percentage and 15th among centers in shot blocking.

[JohnA20]

Minny gives: Davis, James, Jaric

Philly gives: Iverson

I think that is an OK trade, maybe draft picks included.

Anyway, with that trade Minnesota's line-up could be:
C: Blount/Madsen
PF: Garnett/Griffin
SF: Hassell/Smith
SG: Iverson/Wright/McCants (when he comes back)
PG: Foye/Hudson

Its not great, but it's at least decent. It also gives Foye and Smith more playing time.

[eisfeld]

When he called "AI" earlier apparantly it wasn't him. AI's agent called Jim and told him that the person he had spoken with was an imposter. Made him look like a total idiot

From www.spurstalk.com

[Klayface]

but lets hope its a good deal for iverson, and will return him to a player i can actually respect rather than make practice jokes about

No matter where he goes, he will always give 100% on the court, you should respect that. I know you're talking about his attitude off the court, but I don't how you can think of that changing.

Iverson will really only fit in well with a team that lacks a superstar, and in order for the team to be competitive, they need to have a great cast of role players already

That sounds pretty similiar to what he has in Philly.

I completely disagree about the whole "he can't play with another superstar" and the whole lack of chemisry argument. joejam999, how can you say that there will be no chemisty if he is with Carmello? Carmello has established himself as one of the top players in the NBA. You might look at that and think that he cannot coexist with another superstar, but I think these guys are all about maximum effort on the court, that means wins.

I co-sign everything Gundy said. Even though its a different type of basketball, Melo was killing it this summer. He had Wade and Lebron on his team and was the best one out of the 3. And its not like Melos notorious for not being a team player, and like wise for AI. Alot of people thought him and Webber wouldn't be able to coexist, but I think they did alot better than most had thought. Can't really picture AI in baby blue though lmao. I think if Denver throws in a pick with Andre Miller and someone else it could be a done deal. Who knows? Philly HAS to move AI so any trade is possible. I don't think they are going to pull an Indiana move and hold onto him for a while, but they might if they are trying to tank.

[Riot]

The funny thing is two nights ago I was just about to order an Iverson jersey online at nba.com but I decided to wait. I'm sure as hell glad I did now. Maybe I'll be wearing an Iverson Wolves jersey soon.

[Chris_23]

lol, got to love one of Sniders recent replies to this question:

Has the team received many calls from other teams?
"About half the league."

So really, Iverson may end up -anywhere-

Except Nuggets. George Karl said he won't end up there. T-Wolves seem to be the most likely team currently.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/basketball/16201098.htm

[Drex]

Fuck it, the wait is killing me. I'm going to be depressed for the rest of my life.

[Amphatoast]

as an nba fan i'd like to see a KG+AI combo. It's just one of those "what ifs" that come true to see the result of it.

[Indy]

Indiana and Philly are talking. That doesn't mean too much, because most teams have called Philly, but apparently Walsh is looking to make one more big move before he steps down next year, and he wants to go for a ring right now as well.

[Dramacydal]

I'm hoping and praying that he comes to Minnesota.

Me too.

[Buckley]

Wow, im really pissed off.

Obviously shit is done now. AI will probably end up with the Twolves, but i know that we would probably want foye in a deal. No matter what happens we wont get the better of a deal if we trade with the Twolves. Davis, Jaric, and Foye might work since Foye is a good young player and Davis has an expring contract.

As for Webber (the other guy that makes sense to leave if AI does, since c-webb isn't who a team should build around), he will be here for two more years, since no one will take his contract.

But now....all i can think of is whether we get oden...and whether to change my username

[Tuomas]

It's sad to see this but Philly has been some utter shit for the last couple of years so I guess nobody involved could take it anymore.

That said, I would so much want to see AI land in Minnesota, he and KG should really make themselves focused to make each other better, it could be the next best duo after Kobe and Shaq.

[Chris_23]

It's sad to see this but Philly has been some utter shit for the last couple of years so I guess nobody involved could take it anymore.

That said, I would so much want to see AI land in Minnesota, he and KG should really make themselves focused to make each other better, it could be the next best duo after Kobe and Shaq.

Yup, it just -might- become the last chance for these two for a somewhat decent championship attempt. Different from Kobe and Shaq, Garnett and Iverson are past their prime a handful years and without pulling Zo and Payton (aka signing into championship contender when veterans) they'd miss the ring otherwise.

It would be hard still though. T'Wolves have had problems with chemistry, but thankfully not the fault of their devoted superstar Garnett. I must say, I -can- imagine Iverson playing with Garnett and don't see any problems arising from this. T'Wolves have been good when they have a decent ballhog and KG paired up.

[---]

Garnett and Iverson are past their prime a handful years

I have thought that every year for the past 3 or so years, yet both continue to impress me. My guess is they will both remain elite players for a while yet.

[Tuomas]

Yea Garnett hasn't slowed down a bit so I figure if he and AI get their mindset right, we could be in for some interesting times.

[---]

Chicago and Boston Iversons' Top Choices

I really don't see him going to Chicago, I just don't think Chicago would be willing to put together something that the Sixers want, but that NYK draft pick could sure come in handy - If the Bulls don't want a shot at Greg Oden that is.

Boston is possible, but there is no way Pierce will be traded so I don't know what else there is to give Philly outside of picks, Rondo, Szczerbiak and Green.

I still think Minnesota is where he'll end up and him with KG could really be something special. Head west AI! Head west!

Arrrgh, maybe not...

[Riot]

Yeah it doesn't look like Iverson will come to Minnesota. Atleast, unless the Wolves can get a third team involved.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

Jerry West better work his ass off to bring in Iverson as much as the Grizzlies need a superstar to play beside Gasol. I would love to see a lineup of:

PG - Iverson
SG - Miller
SF - Gay
PF - Warrick
C - Gasol

But, thats depending on if they trade Miller in the deal.

[J@3]

I can't see Memphis getting Iverson without giving up any of their starting 5, even just Miller wouldn't be enough.

[---]

I doubt this would happen, but Memphis should like this:

Philadelphia sends:

Allen Iverson

Memphis sends:

Mike Miller

Stromile Swift

Damon Stoudamire


After the trade:

C - Pau Gasol
PF - Hakim Warrick
SF - Rudy Gay
SG - Dahntay Jones
PG - Allen Iverson

and in a year or so let Iverson slide to SG and Lowry start at PG

... But it won't happen.

[J@3]

Is Iverson's value really that low?