What to make of Iverson?

[Court_vision]

I am on the record here for a long time as a big AI fan...

He's one of my favourite players ever.

However, I have to say, I am dissapointed right now. Watching the Nuggets season end...I don't know what to think.

Four straight losses...four games of AI shooting 8-25, 6-22, less than 40%...

I don't know...those are his Philly type numbers at times...and I always felt having poor team mates contributed to those kind of shooting nights.

In Denver, he has options...has a legit go to guy, has some bigs he can feed...

But he's still shooting less than 40% in the playoffs.

He's busting his nuts out there each game...but man, I really thought the 9-25 type nights weren't going to be the norm in Denver.

He's had a horrible playoffs. There's just no other way to put it

[23]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He ran into a Spurs team who had been hot from before the post season.

[sdrotar]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

I am on the record here for a long time as a big AI fan...

He's one of my favourite players ever.

However, I have to say, I am dissapointed right now. Watching the Nuggets season end...I don't know what to think.

Four straight losses...four games of AI shooting 8-25, 6-22, less than 40%...

I don't know...those are his Philly type numbers at times...and I always felt having poor team mates contributed to those kind of shooting nights.

In Denver, he has options...has a legit go to guy, has some bigs he can feed...

But he's still shooting less than 40% in the playoffs.

He's busting his nuts out there each game...but man, I really thought the 9-25 type nights weren't going to be the norm in Denver.

He's had a horrible playoffs. There's just no other way to put it

Nope, he didn't. I think old habits die hard. He tried to be a one-man show like he usually does, and it cost Denver badly. I'm not convinced they would have won series under any circumstances - The Spurs are a better team and I think they'll win the title - but maybe the Nuggets wouldn't have embarrassed themselves again.

Next year will be key - Iverson will have had a full year with Anthony and the rest of his teammates. If he still won't trust them by then, it'll never work out.

George Karl will have a lot to do with it; throwing J.R. Smith under the bus... and benching him to the press instead of talking to the player was inexcusable. It should cost him his job right now before he loses the players for good and implodes the team.

[Court_vision]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He ran into a Spurs team who had been hot from before the post season.

Yeah, the Spurs are a tough team...but I just saw way too much one on one stuff. Driving the lane and hoisting up little fade aways with two big guys in his face.

Courageous as always...but it just won't get you wins.

I always put him doing that in Philly down to "Well, there's no one to pass to"...

But in Denver it's different. There's legit options.

I agree with SDroatar...next season will be the time to judge him.

This was dissapointing though. Four straight games of 6-22, 9-25 etc...

I am a massive AI fan. Can't ignore what I just watched though.

[23]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

You know what's funny, Melo was first criticized for not passing off to AI as AI was passing to him when they first became teammates, then in the playoffs AI goes in Philly mode.

I do think Shawn is right, old habits do die hard. Next year they'll have Kmart and a clean slate for a new season, so hopefully they can put it all together.

[Court_vision]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

You know what's funny, Melo was first criticized for not passing off to AI as AI was passing to him when they first became teammates, then in the playoffs AI goes in Philly mode.

I do think Shawn is right, old habits do die hard. Next year they'll have Kmart and a clean slate for a new season, so hopefully they can put it all together.

I hope so. His legacy kind of needs it.

If the Philly type play becomes the norm again..............kind of ruins every argument i've had defending him for the past 5 years

[23]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

Well, technically it was half a year. Let's give them some time to gel before we criticize him supremely.

Again like i said, the Spurs were a tough draw. I'm not sure there was anything he could do about losing.

[grunt]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

It just AI game and I don't see it changing anytime soon.

[cdubdiggity]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He's never played a team with that good of a defensive philosophy...they guarded him very well in this series...

[luv_mist]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

I saw it the last game they were playing. He stepped onto the floor in the Philly mindset. Just chucking up shots instead of taking it hard or dishing it for smarter shots from his teammates. We'll see how it goes next year.

[23]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He played against the Pistons a couple of years back.

If he couldn't get it going then he should've set guys up becuase he is well capable of doing so.

If you cannot get the shots going, do other things to help out. Not just crap out.

[Rocky]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

Yeah, the Spurs are a tough team...but I just saw way too much one on one stuff. Driving the lane and hoisting up little fade aways with two big guys in his face.

Courageous as always...but it just won't get you wins.

I always put him doing that in Philly down to "Well, there's no one to pass to"...

But in Denver it's different. There's legit options.

I agree with SDroatar...next season will be the time to judge him.

This was dissapointing though. Four straight games of 6-22, 9-25 etc...

I am a massive AI fan. Can't ignore what I just watched though.

From what I've seen there was really nobody to go to. Blake is streaky from the outside and nobody got any real looks from the outside. Duncan, Oberto, Horry, Elson did such a great job locking down the inside that Camby and Nene were pretty much uneffective. Tonight, Carmelo didn't fair any better. When there's openings and good looks for everybody, Iverson distributes. When the D is tough, AI takes it all on himself. That's where the problem is. That said, even with the poor shooting Denver was still in every game in the playoffs. You gotta realize if he gets better looks and gets hot than he's EXTREMELY effective.

[23]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He did dribble too much at times and that is death against a great defensive team like the Spurs. Especially when you're at the top of the key.

[Rocky]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

He did dribble too much at times and that is death against a great defensive team like the Spurs. Especially when you're at the top of the key.

I agree completely. But I think that only quickened an eventual death anyway.

[jmill703]

Re: What to make of Iverson?

Who can he give it to in Denver besides Melo? Steve Blake? He had 8 dimes and Melo shot horrible too. (8-20) Thats why they lost...