The Saga Of Allen Iverson
So I guess it's finally going to end up happening. I've heard this rumor for the past seven years, but due to a hopeless team and a court-side sound bite by the Philadelphia 76ers' organization, Allen Iverson is finally leaving the city he's called home since David Stern announced his name as the first pick in the 1996 NBA Draft ten years ago.
It's not a question of "if" anymore. It's simply a matter of "who" and "when".
The answer to the latter is ASAP, according to Sixers' GM Billy King. Now, it's only a matter of who. And that's a question that at press time brings about a murky "I dunno" from most pundits.
Who can afford him?
According to my sources (AKA ESPN.com and Slamonline.com), King has two offers on the table "ready to go". One can speculate about which deals they are, but The New York Daily News says that at least one of the suitors may be the Golden State Warriors. Reporter Mitch Lawrence says that it could be Baron Davis, Andris Biedrins and a throw-in for Iverson and Steven Hunter, a trade that in my estimation would make sense for both teams. Iverson and Don Nelson? The Warriors may need to invest in a bigger scoreboard.
A couple of other deals were shot down early yesterday, including one that would have sent The Answer to the Bobcats for cap relief and another that involved Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley.
The Boston Celtics were reportedly ready to throw four players at the Sixers, but finally came to their senses and realized that no one aging franchise player was worth four budding youngsters with potential.
ESPN writer Chris Broussard made a really interesting trade proposal last night. A.I. for Tracy McGrady, straight up. Talent wise, that trade makes a hell of alot of sense. However, I don't see either side pursuing it for two reasons. First, T-Mac's hurt again, and second, Iverson and Jeff Van Gundy just don't seem like they'd agree on basketball philosophy.
To me, the Warriors deal makes the most sense, both financially and from a basketball standpoint. Yes, Iverson is a one of a kind player, but I think that trade also makes the Sixers a better team, at least right now. B-Diddy is a lot of things, but he definitely isn't one of those players who wants 30 shots a game. Biedrins fills a gap in the middle. On the other side, Iverson has the green light to do whatever the hell he wants (not that he didn't have that right in Philly), and Hunter is a better center for what Nelly is trying to accomplish in the Bay Area.
No matter what happens with Iverson, however, I think it's sad that his chapter in Philadelphia had to end this way. His tenure in the Illadelph was highlighted by a run to the finals in '01 and a couple scoring titles, but he'll be remembered as the guy who took the Artest way out.
It'd be nice to see some comments on this.
It's not a question of "if" anymore. It's simply a matter of "who" and "when".
The answer to the latter is ASAP, according to Sixers' GM Billy King. Now, it's only a matter of who. And that's a question that at press time brings about a murky "I dunno" from most pundits.
Who can afford him?
According to my sources (AKA ESPN.com and Slamonline.com), King has two offers on the table "ready to go". One can speculate about which deals they are, but The New York Daily News says that at least one of the suitors may be the Golden State Warriors. Reporter Mitch Lawrence says that it could be Baron Davis, Andris Biedrins and a throw-in for Iverson and Steven Hunter, a trade that in my estimation would make sense for both teams. Iverson and Don Nelson? The Warriors may need to invest in a bigger scoreboard.
A couple of other deals were shot down early yesterday, including one that would have sent The Answer to the Bobcats for cap relief and another that involved Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley.
The Boston Celtics were reportedly ready to throw four players at the Sixers, but finally came to their senses and realized that no one aging franchise player was worth four budding youngsters with potential.
ESPN writer Chris Broussard made a really interesting trade proposal last night. A.I. for Tracy McGrady, straight up. Talent wise, that trade makes a hell of alot of sense. However, I don't see either side pursuing it for two reasons. First, T-Mac's hurt again, and second, Iverson and Jeff Van Gundy just don't seem like they'd agree on basketball philosophy.
To me, the Warriors deal makes the most sense, both financially and from a basketball standpoint. Yes, Iverson is a one of a kind player, but I think that trade also makes the Sixers a better team, at least right now. B-Diddy is a lot of things, but he definitely isn't one of those players who wants 30 shots a game. Biedrins fills a gap in the middle. On the other side, Iverson has the green light to do whatever the hell he wants (not that he didn't have that right in Philly), and Hunter is a better center for what Nelly is trying to accomplish in the Bay Area.
No matter what happens with Iverson, however, I think it's sad that his chapter in Philadelphia had to end this way. His tenure in the Illadelph was highlighted by a run to the finals in '01 and a couple scoring titles, but he'll be remembered as the guy who took the Artest way out.
It'd be nice to see some comments on this.
posted by Justin Cherot @ 2:13 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home