McDyess wants to play for a championship contender....Denver is not that. This make the run harder for Portland to take a playoff spot. Also the trade is still in the works, but both parties want to get it down within the next hour.
This is a money-saving move by the Pistons, and it frees up time for Stuckey. I wonder if Dumars was unhappy at how little time he was getting in the early going under Curry. Well, Joe D. did say major changes were going to happen. I guess we all thought that just because the Summer was over, he was kidding... (Sidenote: Billups goes home, JR Smith was already the Nug's best SG.)
It remains to be seen IMO if this makes Denver that much better. They're still not a title contender, and still can't guard anyone down low. But I'd take Billups over Iverson any day. Funny timing though.
I think this really improves Denver. I think AI can be successful, but not next to another similar player in Anothony. Actually, he might flourish in Detroit alongside players who don't need the ball in their hands (Hamilton and Sheed both fit the bill). I still like Billups in Detroit better myself, so we'll see. On the Denver side, Billups should be a nice fit. Mcdyess would be a nice third big for them also, though if he's not staying I still think the trade helps the Nuggets. Gonna make it a bit harder for Portland to make the playoffs I think.
AI for Billups and Mcdyess This is about done. This also sucks because it not only makes Denver better, but makes Detroit players in the 2009 FA market. We have Steve Blake though, so we didn't need to go after Billups
Not a title contender, but I think they just imporved their playoff chances (Billus and Melo is a better combo than AI and Melo, IMO). . . which isn't good for the Blazers.
Not saying this isn't a big trade, because it is, but I don't know that it makes either team any better. Billups does some things better than Iverson and does other things worse. It remains to be seen how each of the guys fit in with their new teammates... I actually think that Iverson might end up helping the Pistons more than Billups does the Nuggets because the Pistons are a team full of role players, and Iverson has the attitude that can carry a team full of role players to the Finals if everything goes well. Ed O.
I'm not sure this makes Denver better. Billups thrives in a controlled slowed down type of offense, not run and gun. I would much rather face Billups and Melo then AI and Melo. He does bring Defense though, so who knows!
Damn Billups would have been a great fit for our team. Exactly what we need a veteran PG that plays defense and hits big shots. Damn!!!!!!
Wow huge trade, I think this puts the Pistons right there with Boston if not above them. Here we have a team that is 8 players deep and McDyce could be cut and resign with Detroit if it goes according to plan... How about the year that Philly made it to the NBA Finals on AI's back, that was one of the greatest playoff achievements by one player that I have ever seen. Do you remember who was on that team? The Starting lineup was, AI, Arron McKie, Mutumbo, Tyrone Hill, Jumaine Jones... The only player on that team who is even worth mentioning as an above average starter at the time was Mutumbo. I think this trade gives the Pistons their missing ingredient. The problem that they have always had is they haven't had a clearly defined go to scorer, they have plently of players capable of scoring 20 points but when it comes to those long scoreless drouts that the pistons are famous for they have never had an answer. Now they have AI.
This also leads me to believe the management in Detroit has a lot of faith in Rodney Stuckey. They would not make this move if they felt otherwise. Denver will be improved providing both players show up, but it will probably take a while for them to mesh. It has been rumored for quite a while now that Billups has some motivational issues since he made the finals, and has been on coasting mode.
Regardless of this deal, Denver is still without Marcus Camby, so they will still be deficient on defense. I really don't see what this deal does for Denver other than get Anthony even more shots and create a Martin/McDyess logjam.
I don't think it will make Denver all that much better, although they finally have the PG they wanted. They'll probably start JR. Smith now and Kleiza will be the sixth man at the swing spots. I like it for Denver this year, but it definitely constrains them in the future with Billup's contract. I don't know if it hurts the Pistons too much and gives them a huge expiring contract so they have room to go for a FA this summer. Not a bad trade, each side got different things.
Well they can play Martin and McDyess together in the sense that McDyess was the center in Detroit. They also have Nene. I'm not a big fan of any of them for the purposes of staying healthy or being productive, but between the three of them they might be able to put up adequate numbers.
NICE!!! Denver is not a threat whatsoever anymore! This does nothing to shore up their defensive woes. Anthony Carter was ballin for them so far this year. AI usually has good games against us. Billups and Melo just don't worry me. Detroit got better imo. They shed salary and got a player who can score the rock for them. They also have a mini Billups in Stuckey.
AI/Melo thing didn't work very well (two high volume shooters). Last year it seemed like the team flowed more when only one was in the game and they had some nice stretches when one was hurt. Melo had a great Olympics and might have taken his game to another level. Denver should clearlly build around him. It is an experiment, but I see Melo working better with Billups that he did with AI.
I don't know what to think. Initially I think this makes Denver better with a better PG. But I wonder how he will fit in with the Denver gang bangers. I do think AI will fit in good with Detroit. Going to be fun to see!
