http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketba...8p-144231c.html Even though its a rumor, suggestions of a deal straight-up Iverson for Francis...While GM Carroll Dawson denies having conversations of this deal, I think it could work IF we managed to pull off a multi-player deal like Iverson/Snow for Francis/Cato/Wilks (or anyone else)...this way, Taylor starts and Weatherspoon, who is a capable backup, shores up the backup spot...although a deal of this magnitude is HIGHLY unlikely, I think if we were to deal Stevie, this would be the trade that would make the most sense...I think Iverson would appreciate having a big man and would sacrifice a lot of his shots, plus you know he's going to be double teamed often...
I wouldn't like this one bit. I wouldn't neccesarily say that our roster would be upgraded by getting Iverson. He takes even more shots than Francis and I don't think that will be wanted. Van Gundy obviously wants Yao to be the focus on offense and AI would take it all away. Also, Snow/Iverson/Mobley would be a sick trio but one of them has to sit down, and Mobley looks likely to be the one. That will make our whole team look incredibly small, except for Yao Ming.
I think this would work, and here's why: 1) Iverson plays hard AND on both ends of the floor...game in and game out you know you will always get the effort from AI...that cant be said for Francis...so JVG wont mind AI's shots as long as he's dogging it out on both ends... 2) I see Iverson as unselfish...he's tried very hard to get others involved despite his constantly changing cast (KVH, Glenn Robinson, Toni Kukoc, Larry Hughes)...he's not a ballhog, but simply feels he MUST take over because no one else can, which is true in Philly...he does not have poor assist numbers...the man just wants to win, and will run through fire to do that... 3) Iverson will also draw consistent double teams and will FIND ways to score and get others involved...Stevie gets frustrated very easily and starts forcing his game when defenses are stifling him...Iverson is more poised and more experienced in attacking....With Iverson, you KNOW you're going to get 20+ points, 2 or 3 steals and 4 or 5 assists a game...Withe Francis, you could get a 1-9 effort one game, and then a 14-21 game the next...its all about consistency... 4) DEFENSE...JVG prides his team on defense, and Allen is annually among tops in steals...Francis is better on defense, yet still does not not show the heart and desire night in and night out...Iverson DEFINES effort and desire, and you know he will show up to play every night... Finally, if you had to win a war, who would you rather go in with?? Francis or Iverson?? I rest my case...
You have made some convincing points, but Francis's supposed departure will bring a lot of discontempt to the Rockets players and the city of Houston. This trade would be a gamble as to whether we wanted to go for wins for fan support.
No offense to the fans or anything, but I would HOPE and PRAY that wins are the first priority of any professional sports organization...plus I think Iverson would bring just as much hoopla and money as francis did, if not more...
I read something about Francis being traded this morning in the paper so I went online and found the online article about it. Here is is: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson put a stop to that. Asked about the rush of media reports that have the Rockets considering or at least open to trading Francis before Thursday's deadline, Dawson laughed and then took the unusual step of answering the rumors. "I don't know how these things get started," he said. "I haven't talked to anybody about anything involving Steve." </div> http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/s.../bk/bkn/2403667 I do not see this trade happening at all. If we get anything in a deal it needs to be a PG and there is no way in hell, I want Allen Iverson playing point, period. That being said Allen Iverson's heart is not to be questioned at all. This guy lays it down every single night and JVG loves that in his players. Iverson and Mobley in the back-court just doesn't work for me at all. I do not think they would be able to get the ball inside enough.
