That concept is now officially outmoded. He is averaging 23.0/4.0/6.2 over six and 33.7/4.7/6.7 over the past three. He is becoming Allen Iverson.
Hell, Joe Johnson is a prime example of that. Remember when Boston traded him to Phoenix for a bag of chips? And even after some good time in Phoenix, they didn't see this kind of potential?
I'm not about to get that carried away. But then it's good that, in some ways, he's very different from Iverson. The test will come when defenses really start to adjust their strategy in view of what he's doing now.
He has a long way to go until he becomes AI. As FOMW said, let's not get carried away. I'm happy to say that Devin's play has pleasantly surprised me so far. Now he needs to keep it up.
And I wouldn't want him to be AI. I like PG's who think pass-first. Devin's scoring is great, don't get me wrong But I don't like the fact VC is dishing out more assists.
While not a traditional pass first PG, he would fit in perfectly with a wing or big man (that can command doubles, pass out of them) that can create for others. He's just an improved upon version of the 'PG' he was with the Mavs... offensively at least. -Petey
After the last three games, I don't see how anyone can be comfortable predicting where he is headed. If it wasnt for his injury, he might be NBA player of the week. Teams may be able to adjust to him penetrating, but his outside shot is improving. He shot 40% from beyond the arc in the last three games. I guess the best way to slow him down is with a big powerful defensive guard, but how many of them are there?
He is averaging 7 assists per games while scoring 34 a game during this streak. By driving and finishing he forces the other team to clog the lane giving him the option of dishing to the perimeter. Carter does as well. I dont see the perimeter players complaining. The reverse is true and I could care less which one of those guys leads the team in assists.
In my opinion, he is not going to be the 6'3" AI. Their offenses are similar, AI's is just a bit better, but what Harris has on him is defense.
This team needs a Bruce Bowen in his prime type of SF. Someone that will play solid defense and can hit the 3 consistantly. Between Harris, Carter, Yi, Lopez, and Anderson getting shots they really don't need someont to take more than 6 shots a game. Maybe Nocioni or Battier?
Exactly. I keep hoping that the acquisition of Artest means Houston might be willing to part with Battier. Wishful thinking, probably, but there was an article just recently in one of the Houston papers that quoted Adleman as saying the team would need to acquire a true backup center, someone with better size than their other bigs, for the playoffs. Without verifying, I think Boone is bigger than anyone on their team except for Yao.
I think Swift would be better for them. I want to keep Boone. I think he's the perfect back-up for Lopez and he won't break the bank to re-sign down the road. Other players that fit the mold are: Prince, Posey, and Pietrus. Not that they'll be available, but I think those are the types of starting SF we need. One player that is not being used now, contract expires in 2010, and is a very good defender is Damian Wilkins. He's a 6-6 G/F that guards the perimeter well and can swap with VC on the defensive end and take the more difficult assignment. But I don't see us coming up with anything that works financially unless we sent Ager and Swat and I think Swat is too much for him. Needed a $3mm expiring. I'm trying to come up with a 3 team trade scenario. Or we do Ager and Swat and take back a pick as well... could probably get a high 2nd rounder.
You know, for some reason I totally forgot about this guy. He has a pretty nice all around game. Can shoot, defend, and he's really athletic. Just check out some of the plays he makes in this video. Nasty. (Also, there is a great tune in there that I used to listen to back in the day) <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NA32weTIYzQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NA32weTIYzQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
If you find the right 3 game series, even Earl Boykins has put up numbers that look like Allen Iverson's. We're talking about a guy with two weak ankles here. If he doesn't miss another game all season, then we can start comparing him to Iverson. I think it's a lot more likely he won't have Iverson's legendary pain tolerance.
Morey will deal Yao before he deals Battier - he knows he's got a diamond in the rough and he's never giving it up. Still, we can dream.
