Allen Iverson ("The Answer") & The Pistons

1. 60

   fishskinfreak2008posted 16 years ago

   The Pistons are 25-21 and they've lost 9 out of their last 12 games. It's unfiar to blame it solely on Iverson, a perennial All-Star and former league MVP although his average of 17.8 is his worst. Basketball is a team game and so blame can never be placed solely on one person when things aren't going right just like credit can't be given only to one player during a championship year. Kobe Bryant should take note of this.

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2. 60

   Junksterposted 16 years ago

   I agree that there's definitely problems in motor city!  I think by trading two players for a player like Iverson is risky, expecially if one of them is a big man.  When those two players are Antonio McDyess and Chauncey Billups then you're taking a really big gamble.  Heck, had it been a straight swap of iverson for billups I'd be wary about Detroits choice.
   
   I think the idea is that with firing Flip Saunders and their owner pretty unhappy with the drought of championship rings lately they felt they needed a friebrand player like Iverson, maybe they merely wanted the attention and energy he brings, it certainly happened with his move from the sixers to nuggets. 
   
   The thing with Iverson is that he needs someone to feed to, like Rondo at the celtics, they're both good shooters and cancertainly drive the lane but more often than not they're driving to pull a man off the centre or the forward in the paint for a quick pass and an easy shot.
   
   I have only seen one game of iverson at the pistons (against the celtics) and it was something like his first game at home, he obviously needed time but I think there are plenty of capable guards at Detroit like Stuckey.  (coincidentally he was injured in that game!)
   
   Given time Iverson works to his team mate's strengths, like how he played at Denver, lots of people expected results but it took time before the young Nuggets started to string a few wins together.

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3. 70

   Bruce Bostwickposted 16 years ago

   While I don't blame him for it, it probably has something to do with not fitting in so much.  The team chemistry is not there as much.  That's probably what happened to the Pistons.

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4. 60

   Junksterposted 16 years ago

   I'd agree the chemistry is no longer there, but then detroit weren't doing terribly when Billups was still there, so maybe this is a role that iverson can eventually merge into?
   
   Is he a leader like billups?  I'd argue he has potential to be

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5. 70

   Bruce Bostwickposted 16 years ago

   That will depend on if he stays in Detroit at the end of the season.  He's a free agent at the end of the year.

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6. 51

   exodusmsposted 16 years ago

   Are you kidding Iverson is a plague for teams. He is extremely talented and will get big numbers, the guy was my favorite player my whole childhood. Ever since the trade of billups for Iverson the nuggets have been on a tear. For the last few years the Nuggets have had considerable talent but failed to work as a team and make any kind of impact on the NBA. However ever since that trade Denver is now in 3rd place in the west and will most likely make a good run in the playoffs. While Detroit (not solely failing because of Iverson alone) is 5 games away from a .500 season. They are in 5th place in the standings and will most likely fall more as there terrible season on lack of chemistry continues to deteriorate.
   
   Iverson is not the sole reason this club is failing but he sure makes them a lot worse then Billups, therefore it is easy to conclude Iverson is fun to watch, has great numbers, but he is a plague..

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7. 60

   Junksterposted 16 years ago

   Hmm yeah he doesw seem to have an effect on teams, although i'd say denver had grown as a team last year and didnt do too bad. 
   
   I just had another thought, Billups moving to the west?  I think he senses being in the West is his only chance at making the finals this year
   
   It's still a tall order but I can see Denver getting to the finals this year.  I'd welcome a celtics/denver final

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8. 51

   exodusmsposted 16 years ago

   I would be alright with a celtics/denver final. I would much rather watch cavs/lakers though. Kobe and Lebron for the championship, it would be some great tv!

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9. 70

   Bruce Bostwickposted 16 years ago

   Personally I'd want to see not only the Cavs in the finals but also win it.  I think if they're gonna win, this is the time to do it but that's just me.  As far as the West goes, I don't have a preference on who gets in.  Denver has been playing pretty good basketball this season and maybe it will translate into going deep in the post-season.  We've seen some strange things happen in the sports world.
   
   What about a Cavs/Nuggest match up?  That would be interesting to say the least as you would have two teams going for their 1st NBA Title in franchise history.

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