NBA Conversation

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 11, 2006, 9:20 pm

I decided to make a new NBA thread. I know that Winnow has his Suns thread up, but let's face it: no one reads that. I actually like the NBA, and I'd like to be able to talk about it with anyone else who follows it (which is virtually no one here, I know). Posting in the Suns thread would not accomplish that goal, so I made this one. Most NBA topics don't generate enough interest to warrant their own threads, so feel free to post anything in here.

So, I can't just make the thread without some content. So:

Allen Iverson's apparently going to get traded. I think that it's appropriate-- the Sixers suck dick, and won't stop sucking dick until Billy King is fired and Chris Webber is gone. Iverson is a great player, but not great enough to overcome those two monstrosities. The best move for the team is to begin acquiring talent before those two disappear, and the best move for Iverson is to go somewhere else where he won't accidentally win games for a team that ought to be trying to blow the season and get Greg Oden.

The best destination for Iverson, from the perspective of Iverson and the NBA, is Minnesota. Kevin Garnett and Iverson were born to play together. They have complementary skill sets-- Garnett excels without the ball, at defending, cleaning up the boards, and capitalizing on other players creativity. Iverson dominates the ball, scores lots of points, and demands a ton of defensive attention. On offense, Iverson's presence would greatly reduce the pressure on Garnett, and his ability to penetrate would clear the lane for Garnett to score and clean the offensive glass. On defense, Iverson is a gambler, which leads to steals and broken possessions, but also sometimes leads to ballhandlers barrelling unchallenged down the lane. Substituting Garnett's interior presence for Chris Webber's would greatly reduce the negative impact of Iverson's gambling. Unfortunately, this would be a complicated deal to get done. Minnesota has Randy Foye, Ricky Davis, Mike James, and that's about it as far as trade pieces are concerned. I have no idea why the Sixers would be interested in Davis or James. 'Sota doesn't even have a draft pick to offer. In order to get Iverson, the Wolves might have to involve a third team, and Kevin McHale is nearly as incompetent as Billy King. It's hard to see this happening.

Chicago and Boston both have a more sensible package of assets to work with. Chicago has Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, the Knicks first round pick, and so on. Boston has Gerald Green, Delonte West, Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, and so on. A package made up of some of those players would be far more attractive than Randy Foye and a bunch of dead weight.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » December 11, 2006, 9:36 pm

Minnesota ruled out any trades with AI, which is a shame, because, as you said, they really would kick ass. Boston remains the strongest as far as I can see and NY is up there with their picks and getting rid of Steve Francis, Channing Frye and also Marbury, as those two probably wouldnt play with each other well.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » December 11, 2006, 11:50 pm

Nice to see David Stern's not too proud to admit switching balls was a bad idea without a little more input from the players. The NBA gets the leather ball back January 1st:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2694335

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 12, 2006, 12:02 am

Agreed. I think it's hilarious that it was apparently cutting players hands. I mean, how bad does a basketball have to be to cut you when you're dribbling?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » December 12, 2006, 12:17 am

Good to hear about the ball. Maybe the Player's Association's suit will do some good!

Gzette · Post by **Gzette** » December 12, 2006, 7:31 pm

for AIs sake I hope he doesnt end up a Knick. talk about a broken franchise.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » December 13, 2006, 9:48 am

I am thinking and hoping AI goes to Boston in a sensible package. The Celts would be insane ot give up on Gerald Green and Al Jefferson this fast.....lets remember the Joe Johnson debacle. They have also been linked to Paul Gasol, which would make more sense. If Boston does get AI and I am Ainge, I move Pierce immediately afterwards to get a good big man that complements AI isntead of fights for shots.

I am not sure AI would not be more of a passer with other real players around him. The Ricky Davis trade made zero sense for the Celtics either until Ricky came to town and showed that he would do what it took to win....which shocked everyone on planet Earth and also made his markey value go way up.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 19, 2006, 6:52 pm

Iverson traded to Denver for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and 2 first round picks.

As a fan of both Iverson and the 76ers, I'm pretty happy with this trade. I know that the Sixers weren't really interested in getting veterans like Miller, but Miller is a talented veteran without a Chris Webber style contract. They're not just picking up dead weight, he's a very solid point guard. Picks are always useful, and Smith's contract expires this offseason. Basically, the Sixers didn't pick up any dead weight, and that was my biggest fear on their side.

On the Iverson side, he's going to a moderately talented team. It'll probably be a challenge to get both Iverson and Carmelo enough shots to keep them happy, but at least Carmelo isn't a dominant ball-handler like Kobe. It'll be OK for Iverson to dominate handling the basketball, as long as he doesn't dominate shooting the basketball. Having Marcus Camby on the inside will be good as well, as Iverson really needs a good interior defensive presence to compensate for his gambles, and to clean up the boards on offense. I'm also relatively happy that he'll be playing for George Karl. I'm not sure how well their styles will mesh (it could be a disaster, who knows), but Karl is an established coach who Iverson can respect. One of the major problems with Iverson in Philadelphia is that he hasn't respected a coach since Larry Brown. George Karl has the credibility to at least force Iverson to focus.

If only Denver didn't have the Kenyon Martin and Nene albatrosses, they'd be in pretty decent shape right now.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » December 19, 2006, 8:04 pm

Iverson didn't even respect Brown. That fool doesn't know the first thing about teamwork.

Kelshara · Post by **Kelshara** » December 19, 2006, 10:31 pm

Brown.. sorry but I don't share the glorification of him that so many others do.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » December 19, 2006, 10:33 pm

Larry Brown is a great coach with a fair share of flaws.

Allen Iverson is a great player with a fair share of flaws.

When they were together, they were combative but both great. They both have an incredible amount of respect for one another. I think all that you have to do is ask them and you'll find that out (or, alternately, watch a reporter ask them, since you probably won't get a chance yourself). Allen Iverson practically tears up at the mention of Brown's name.