Preseason Player Rankings: Point Guards

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">His No. 2 ranking doesn't mean Allen Iverson isn't a special player and can't be a great point guard. New 76ers coach Jim O'Brien has made it clear he will play Iverson at the point despite Brown's insistence at playing Iverson at the shooting guard for their six seasons together in Philadelphia.

"It was coach Brown's choice," Iverson said in an extended interview before the 2004 All-Star Game. "I always thought I should have the ball in my hands. I see the floor and can help my teammates get better shots."</div>
for the full rankings, click the link: http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/7708485
Courtesy of Sportsline.com

 

Oh boy......

This is one of those times again folks. I think OB's making a big mistake by bringing AI back to the point, but I kind of saw this coming when they moved Snow.

AI is a very good player, but putting the ball in his hands to distribute every possession is a recipe for disaster, IMO.

OB's setting AI up for MVP or at least Scoring title type #'s, but setting the team up for a mediocre showing, because I don't think AI is capable of effectively getting enough of his teammates involved to make the 76ers a legit contender in the East.

I know that's not going to set well with alot of posters in this forum, but it's my opinion. I kinda hope its wrong, because the 76er's do have some nice talent around AI. I just hope they get to exploit that talent. It'll make the East more interesting.

 

Well Allen has proved that he can distribute the ball to the other players on the team imo,I just think that sometimes he lacks having confidence in his team mates.I bealive that AI will be a solid distributer even though he is a shoot first guy,he will dish the ball.

Also people dont really notice that AI (a SG last year),was still top ten in apg,for the record he averaged 6.8 per game but couldnt qualify to be listed on the charts because he missed games with injury,thats more assists then PG's like Mike Bibby, Steve Francis,tied with Jason Williams and Kirk Hinirch,(more than)Chauncey Billups,Tony Parker,and Gary Payton.

Not to mention he had Eric Snow in the backcourt so youd thing that he one have most of the assist and AI would only average 3 or 4 a game.

 

Sure, he doesn't have enough experience, and I too was iffy on the move, and then the final dagger with Snow being traded, but I am hoping for the best. Jim is remeniscing on Iverson's early days with the NBA, when he was a point guard for the first two years, in which he was quite successfull. He as well wants to run a much more faster offense than the years past, where we just trolled around the the court, he wants it to be more fast paced, more exciting, a run-and-gun type of thing. Putting the leagues fastest (arguable) player to lead your team with an athletic bunch of young players will surely get people to fill up the seats of the arena, but will it win games?

I think it will. We have a solid presence in most areas, with a bit of a downside on the defensive end, but counting on the offense we run, that will run shy over onto the defense, to run a more loosely fit, and faster defense, reaching for steals, and being very athletic in all defensive aspects. We have a very nice, and young prospect in Sammy that will alow us to have that athletic defensive presence, and Kenny has a bit of it in him as well, then we'll have Andre coming off the bench.

As for the top list, it's decent, but I don't seem to understand why putting Baron (unproven) over Chauncey (Finals MVP) is a secure choice. The articles itself states that Baron is selfish, whereas Chauncey isn't, so what's up?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">OB's setting AI up for MVP or at least Scoring title type #'s, but setting the team up for a mediocre showing, because I don't think AI is capable of effectively getting enough of his teammates involved to make the 76ers a legit contender in the East.
</div>Yes, but hagrid...If OB had AI play the 2, then he would actually have to design some plays to get the ball in Iverson's hands. Now, me and you know that he is incapable of doing that, but most Philly fans have yet to realize that. He will have AI play a role similar to the role that Antoine Walker played in Boston. Also, something tells me that the Sixers are going to lead the league in 3 point attempts. The real star for Philly this year will be Dalembert on defense. If there was ever a perfect person to anchor Dick Harter's defense, it's Dalembert.

 

AI is more mature this year and now running the point I think were gonna have another 30 point year. I know that does sound kinda bad because PGs arent suppose to have 30 ppg. Well when your on a team where theres only 2 scorers then thats going to happen with the other scorer being Glenn Robinson for cryin out loud. They will definitely make the playoffs this year im sure...but wont get past the 2nd round. They almost made the playoffs last year with Iverson being out more than what 35 games? People also think 29 is an old age and that u cant score over 24 ppg with that age. Think again. If Iverson stays healthy then he can easily be playing til hes 36 for the love of the game.

Look at our Sixers team also. We have Samuel Dalembert. A great C in and a very big part of the Sixers rebounding. He wont score over 10 ppg tho so hes not really going to be contributing in points. As for grabbing Iverson and Willies boards....I think he'll have about 11 rpg for sure because we all know how they both love to shoot the ball. Are we forgetting someone? Kenny Thomas...He will have a great year for sure. Last year he was awesome when Iverson was out. Over 13 ppg and also over 10 rpg. Hes a PF! Jamaal Magloire has them stats and hes a C. Again...with Iverson and Willie Green shooting I think we'll need Sammy and Kenny alot this season as far as rebounding goes. Glenn Robinson is the 2nd leading scorer on this team. He could possibly get hurt and thats not a good thing for the Sixers. We need him also. Guys....I just cant believe we actually almost made it to the playoffs without Big Dog and AI. Just think if we had them....were definitely going to the playoffs.

Back to the subject....Willie Green...he sure did show us something when he played big minutes. Scoring wise...he could be very well...maybe score a lil less than Robinson...who knows tho. Last but not least...Allen Iverson. Holding this team together. Keeping it alive really. What would we do without him? What Magic did last year...lost almost every game. Like I said Iverson has a chance to score about or 30 ppg and a little more than 7 apg depending on how determined he actually is. Our bench now....Im not going to name everyone on our bench because some dont really matter much but others like a great role player by the name of Corliss Williamson, a rookie sensation and overall great player in college by the name of Andre Iguodala, a C that actually does alright when not being injured by the name of Marc Jackson, an older and more experienced 3 pt shooter Aaron McKie, and the ill also mention another 3 pt shooter in his 2nd year by the name of Kyle Korver. Could he be the next Aaron McKie like we had him in 2001? I sure hope so because McKie was very good at 3s in 01. The rest of our bench consists of other players that really arent that great to mention but still can be a big part of this team if someone happens to get hurt.

FINAL WORDS: Some people just never get a chance on the Sixers. Last year...we were shown that Willie Green was actually a good player. Who would have thought Willie Green would be good at all. He was picked 41 by the Sonics and then traded to the Sixers but now we say that Sonics just made that mistake. Samuel Dalembert also.....1.5 ppg and 2 rpg one year and once they give him a chance he becomes a great C for the team. I guess we'll see what happens next year with all these new kids coming into the NBA and trying to contribute somehow to their team. Hopefully the Sixers can contain such players as Lebron James and others that are threats in the East. This Sixers team will possibly go somewhat good...I cant wait for this season to come and lets see what happens with all these new player adjustments and additions!

PS....I just split the whole thing...there not new paragraphs just split up