I don't think this is a transformative trade for either team, but I think it makes Denver a bit stronger. Iverson and Anthony were redundant (and Anthony is superior as a scorer). Swapping out the shoot-first Iverson for Billups, who is better distributor, a complementary scorer and a far better defender, should combine better with Anthony. Now, there can be defined roles without wasting anyone's ability. For Detroit, it's a risky move. It has the chance to make them significantly worse or significantly better. I think that was a wise choice, to take on that risk, because their team was simply not good enough to win it all. They were a top team, but definitely behind Boston and LA, and maybe behind Houston, New Orleans and Philadelphia. If they get worse, it doesn't cost them a title, because they wouldn't have won a title with Billups. If Iverson injects the scoring threat necessary to make them a more dynamic offensive team, it could make them a greater title threat. Iverson will be their clear #1 option, with Hamilton, Sheed and Prince making good complementary threats. Iverson is not as good as he was when he led the Sixers to the Finals, but he has a superior set of teammates this time around.
yeah I'm with you... I don't see this improving Denver. I might be the only one who likes it more from Detroit's perspective as Iverson is the best player in the deal. Dude had arguably his best year as a pro last year partly because he's not taking the beating he once did and is staying healthier for it. Stuckey is a big point who should be able to play with AI and form a nice 3 gaurd rotation with RIP. Detroit loses some of it's backup size but McDyess is only an okay Big at this point. maybe this deal was done with the salary cap in mind as I don't see it making either a real contender. STOMP
Just had another thought on the move... it probably interjects JR Smith into Denver's starting lineup. They didn't need 3 shoot first guys in their mix but shipping AI out opens up a bigger role for him. He's been a pretty productive scorer in limited minutes. Anthony Carter loses a big chunk of his role with the addition of Billups. STOMP
Re: OT: AI to Detriot for Billups and McDyess Huh?? Dude, he took a team to the frickin NBA Finals. See 2001.
Re: OT: AI to Detriot for Billups and McDyess True ... in his prime! The dude is still a pretty good scorer, but he's 34 and there aren't that many games left in the tank; I wouldn't be counting on him to take a team anywhere at this point of his career.
Re: OT: AI to Detriot for Billups and McDyess The point was that AI never took a team anywhere and I was pointing out that I thought that was wrong.
We talkin' about practice?!?! http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2008/11/04/nba_det_iverson_practice.nba/?player=whatsnew FUNNY!
