After ten plus seasons in Philadelphia, Allen Iverson finally gets to realize what it is like to play with legitimate talent as he takes his 28.1 career scoring average to Denver. When Carmelo Anthony?s suspension ends, the two will team up to form the most prolific scoring duo in the league.This isn?t like the pairing of Iverson and Glenn Robinson (who Anthony is commonly compared to), when Big Dog?s skills were already eroded.Iverson is a volume shooter, who has always been the infallible focal point of the Sixers? offense, so the Nuggets? success will he be based primarily off how he adjusts his game to the inevitable decrease in his shots per game average?When Anthony and J.R. Smith return, the Nuggets will likely feature the following starting line-upG: IversonSG: SmithSF: AnthonyPF: Eduardo NajeraC: Marcus CambyFilling out the rotation will be Earl Boykins, Reggie Evans, Nene and Yakhouba Diawara.With Andre Miller off to Philadelphia, the glaring hole on the club?s roster is at the point guard position. Iverson is capable of being a true point guard (more in the Steve Francis/Stephon Marbury sense than Steve Nash), but will he be keen to truly embrace the demands of distributing the ball and initiating an offense that doesn?t simply call for him to come off a myriad of screens?The Nuggets must be hoping that Iverson legitimately transitions from scoring small guard into a point guard that performs the duties because it is a huge risk to impede the development of Anthony. Becoming a ?passing will be my 1b option? will prolong his career and give a depth to his legacy that he would have never been able to accomplish in Philadelphia.Boykins will play point guard while Iverson shifts to shooting guard during some sequences, but he is more of a shooting guard as well, so the Nuggets are likely to acquire a point guard before the deadline arrives.Iverson would have been much more likely to defer to Anthony had Saturday?s fight not occurred, but since he will have played about a dozen games until the incumbent star returns, that likelihood decreases drastically.Fortunately while those two figure out how to balance their scoring, there isn?t another player on the roster who needs to have the ball in their hands with much frequency to be effective.Grade for Denver: B+George Karl has demonstrated an ability to get along with big egos, but this trade reeks of the Ray Allen for Gary Payton deal he pulled off while in Milwaukee. The Bucks brought in Payton despite the presence of Sam Cassell, much the same as duplicating great scorers here.There are three key differences as to why this trade is better for Denver than it was for that Milwaukee team:1. Iverson is still one of the best players in the league, while Payton had begun to decline when he joined the Bucks.2. Iverson arrives at a time when the Nuggets will be without their two best scorers for ten games and he will prevent the club from suffering a substantial setback in the win-loss column.3. The price to acquire Iverson was far less than it was for Milwaukee when they gave up Ray Allen.Grade for Philadelphia: D+Billy King was able to find a taker for Allen Iverson outside of the Eastern Conference, but beyond that, not much was accomplished. The two first round picks are expected to be in the 20's and while Miller's contract is almost half of Iverson's, he isn't one of the better values in the NBA. Miller is a serviceable point guard and could jumpstart Andre Iguodala from his static development, as well as Samuel Dalembert's.He had hoped to acquire a Randy Foye, Shaun Livingston or Monta Ellis, but no GM was willing to budge on relinquishing young talent of that caliber. King apparently got tired of waiting for that kind of deal, which could have immediately led to a turnaround in the direction of the franchise and settled for one he could merely live with.http://realgm.com/src_fromtherafters/109/2...rson_to_denver/
I'm gonna say this will go down as being about par with the Barkley trade.The 76ers got abut 40 cents on the dollar.while Andre miller is a pretty good PG, he needs to players around him to be effective. I don't think he has that in Philly.the 2 draft picks will most likey be in the 20's which is "crap, let's take a chance on this guy.. no wait that guy" territory where they MAY get a serviceable player or they may get a guy who'll have a good solid 12 year career in Spain and not the NBA. (heeeeeeeeeeeello joe forte) or they may strike gold and get Tony Parker (odds of this happening are 1 in 1,000)I think AI will do very well in Denver and will be on a mission.. kinda like a certain short chubby PF that left Philly for Pheonix and won the MVP.
I see Denver looking good on offense. I wouldn't say they are offensive juggernauts because neither Iverson or Carmelo are pure shooters. More like volume scorers that need a lot of shots to get their points. If you combine their stats it shows that they shoot about 45.5% from the field and under 30% from 3 point range. So my prediction is they'll average about 100 points per game. They'll need to play some defense to be a serious threat. Iverson and Carmelo don't have the reputation of being good defenders. That will decide how well the Nuggets do. Without Camby this team would be very poor on defense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>So my prediction is they'll average about 100 points per game. They'll need to play some defense to be a serious threat. Iverson and Carmelo don't have the reputation of being good defenders. That will decide how well the Nuggets do. Without Camby this team would be very poor on defense.</div>Only 100 points per game? We average 108 ppg right now WITHOUT Allen Iverson.
I really think this should be a C+ for Philadelphia. While both picks will be in the 20's, they still have their own pick which will be in the lottery somewhere. So three first round picks, including one more than likely top ten pick is going to be very nice for the 76ers. They also cadered to the needs of who they want to be their number one option right now. Miller is going to set Igoudala up with alot of open shots, as well as allow Igoudala to get out in the open court and run more. When they put both Carney and Igoudala on the floor, it gives them someone to get out and the open court and run with. As with young players like Carney and Igo, running in the open court will get them alot more excited and allow them to go on alot more runs. Then they are going to loose a contract when Smith's contract goes away at the end of the season. I really think this was not a bad deal for the 76ers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Dec 22 2006, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Only 100 points per game? We average 108 ppg right now WITHOUT Allen Iverson.</div>And AI is another scorer, which means less shots for Melo and JR.
Well let me break it down. I'll use percentages to grade it. haDenver got...Iverson A (95%)Ivan McFarlain E (45%)Grade averaged=C- 70% My Grade=A-Philadelphia got...Andre Miller B (83%)*1st round draft pick B-(80%)*1st Round draft pick B-(80%)*-grade implies where they are in the draftGrade Averaged= B+ 87% My Grade= BI really like how Philly got two 1st rounders, they are already going to get a high pick in the draft, and they could use them to trade up, or get some pretty good late or mid 1st round steals (depending on how Denver finishes out this season) they also got Andre Miller, a guy who can get anyone the ball whether it be Iguodala, Webber, Willie Green, or anyone else for that matter.But you cant beat a player like A.I. he brings the type of game that you expect from him every night. hes a superstar player-enough said.if denver doesn't make it to the 2nd round it will be a dissapointment in my eyes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Dec 22 2006, 03:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Only 100 points per game? We average 108 ppg right now WITHOUT Allen Iverson.</div>My bad for not looking up the stats. I don't see how Denver can get any better offensively. The chemistry on offense was close to perfect. This might actually hurt the offense. Iverson needs defensive players around him to be successful. This team isn't built around Iverson well.
Mavsfan, how do you build around Allen Iverson then? In Philly he had 2 nice defensive players around him in AI2 and Dalembert. He had defensive players, and he still stunk.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Dec 22 2006, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Mavsfan, how do you build around Allen Iverson then? In Philly he had 2 nice defensive players around him in AI2 and Dalembert. He had defensive players, and he still stunk.</div>OK first of all... AI stunk? Why would you say that? Are you on drugs? JUST SAY NO!And Iggy is a pretty good defender, but Dalembert is NOT. People mistake shot blockers to be such great defenders, when that is not the case. Just because Dalembert is long, athletic, and a shot blocker doesn't mean he is a good defender. He's not. He has a lot of trouble staying with players in the lane, especially bigger ones, and he is constantly in foul trouble. Half his fouls are stupid fouls as well.Don't even try and convince anybody that Philly is even a decent defensive team. They are HORRIBLE.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 22 2006, 02:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>OK first of all... AI stunk? Why would you say that? Are you on drugs? JUST SAY NO!And Iggy is a pretty good defender, but Dalembert is NOT. People mistake shot blockers to be such great defenders, when that is not the case. Just because Dalembert is long, athletic, and a shot blocker doesn't mean he is a good defender. He's not. He has a lot of trouble staying with players in the lane, especially bigger ones, and he is constantly in foul trouble. Half his fouls are stupid fouls as well.Don't even try and convince anybody that Philly is even a decent defensive team. They are HORRIBLE.</div>I agree, and furthermore it is possible to build a defensive team with Iverson on the team. His ability to cause turnovers, make steals and pass deflections can actually impact a team defense positively. Just look at the 2001 76ers who was a very strong defensive team. I'm not saying that this Nuggets team is going to be very strong defensively, just saying that you can build a team around Iverson that is very good defensively.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (valo35 @ Dec 22 2006, 07:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I agree, and furthermore it is possible to build a defensive team with Iverson on the team. His ability to cause turnovers, make steals and pass deflections can actually impact a team defense positively. Just look at the 2001 76ers who was a very strong defensive team. I'm not saying that this Nuggets team is going to be very strong defensively, just saying that you can build a team around Iverson that is very good defensively.</div>Eric Snow guarded all the best guards and they had one of the all-time best defenders at the center in Mutombo.
I think its a great deal for both teams...Philly now has 3 1st rnd picks..one being lotto most likely, and a draft people are saying is deeper than the '96 draft. And they get,next to J-Kidd, the best ally-oop thrower in the NBA. Who will be catching those? Andre Igoudala, Rodney Carney, and Samuel Dalembert is pretty damn athletic himself.I think Iggy himself will get 20ppg, hes a underrated scorer, and somebody like Andre Miller will only make him better. Not to mention there will be MORE room for my homeboy Rodney Carney who IMO was a steal in the draft. So they are simply rebuilding, and the chances of getting Kevin Durant(IMO, Greg Oden wont come out) or a Joakim Noah. The Denver is known, they get a legendary player who is arguebly still in his prime, with a future legendary player who hasnt even scratched his prime. IMO, from the stand point of Philly, they got the better of the deal simply cause we dont know, and wont know until the Memphis game( :rock: ) how Melo and AI will mesh...if all goes well though, the trade would be pretty damn even IMO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (STAT @ Dec 22 2006, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>And AI is another scorer, which means less shots for Melo and JR. </div>Why does everyone say that there will be no shots left for anyone? You can take as many shots as you need, and most likely they will be more than willing to give up the ball. There is no such thing as enough shots, you shoot as many as you need to win a game. When they see they are losing by 10 one game, one of them is going to get their team back in the game. When they are up by 10, they will distribute the ball to their other teammates.
Did anybody see the John Thompson interview last night? AI said hes a basketball player, and he really is. If AI has to average 10ppg and 12apg to win with the Nuggets, he will do that...at this point of the career, he knos its Melos team, he knows what JR Smith brings to the table, and he knows that hes going to be asked to lead, create plays for others, and still score...but he knows he doesn't have to score 30ppg anymore. So AI isnt going to be the 2nd leading scorer in the NBA anymore, after Melo gets back, itll probbaly drop 5-10ppg, but his assist will rise.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mavsfan1000 @ Dec 22 2006, 03:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Eric Snow guarded all the best guards and they had one of the all-time best defenders at the center in Mutombo.</div>I know that, the point was that it is possible to form a team with Allen Iverson on it to be a good defensive team, because LC was asking how you form a defensive team around Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson held up his end of the bargain on defense to, helping out the whole team with his pass deflections and steals.
Standpoint right now I give:Nuggets - B : Already stated that in the Nuggets thread that I felt right now, there's still questions that haven't been answered. On paper this looks like a great team, will it come together? Remains to be seen, which is why I can't give them a A. It could go bad or good.Sixers - Incomplete : Reason why I give them an incomplete. I'm still iffy on their part, it really depends on who they get with their picks. Then the trade as a whole will be seen if the Sixers did well or not. I felt they should have traded Andre right after for another pick in the lottery if they had a shot, or just another first rounder albeit. I think he hurts their chances because he's a decent player that can get Sixers some wins. They were better off shipping him and trying to tank imo. As bad as that may sound, Sixers need to rebuild and getting a top three pick is badly needed. Joe Smith should provide some good minutes, his expiring contract comes in handy as well.
not sure why people are putting so much stock into those 2 draft picks.Chances are they'll both be in the 20's (1 low, 1 High) which is also know as "well he may develop into something, we're not quite sure." land.You're more than likely picking up the next starting player for a Spanish team as you are a future contirbutor to your team.The C's drafted Joe Forte instead of this guy named Tony Parker several years ago.. both picks were in the 20'schances are the 76ers will draft 1 bench guy and 1 lemon.oh, and if this draft is so deep, ain't no one gonna trade down for 2 picks unless it's on draft night and the player the team is looking for gets drafted before them.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>not sure why people are putting so much stock into those 2 draft picks.Chances are they'll both be in the 20's (1 low, 1 High) which is also know as "well he may develop into something, we're not quite sure." land.You're more than likely picking up the next starting player for a Spanish team as you are a future contirbutor to your team.</div>That's how it is for all draft picks, even in the lottery. Also, it's great to have three picks because of the deep draft. It's better then one and is needed for a team rebuilding. I mean I'm not following the logic as you state your better picking a starting player for Spain but then mention Tony Parker as a late pick. I mean there's a couple players who've been taken late first/2nd round that have made an impact starting wise. And then there's some who contribute off the bench. Three first round picks for a rebuilding team is a great way to start.
