Iverson the Scapegoat

[Po Pimp]

Detroit is on a 3 game win streak, now everyone says Iverson was the problem all along. While I agree that Iverson doesn't fit into Detroit's system, I don't get where this unnecessary hate is coming from. Didn't Detroit have an 8 game win streak earlier this year when Rip was injured? Also, in no way shape in form is Rip Hamilton a better basketball player than Allen Iverson.

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

I don't think its hate. I just think its fact. Iverson is one of the best in the game. I can't think of anyone currently playing that has shown more heart, grit & guts over his career. But he might be the hardest ever to fit pieces around. AI is not made for team basketball.

[sqeg]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Yeah, AI just doesn't fit in w/what the Pistons are trying to do. It's just a horrible move made by Dumars & he needs to man up & own up to it. Michael Curry isn't exactly making all the right moves either. His constant lineup changes only hurt the team than do any good, it doesn't promote any cohesion. I'm in no way a fan of AI but I do respect his game, & all this blame placed on him is ridiculous.

Michael Curry saying "this change was coming, regardless of the injury"(referring to AI's injury & Rip inserted into the starting lineup) is a blatant lie. Stevie Wonder can see he's just trying to cover his own a$$. It's pretty clear as day that Curry is afraid of AI & didn't have the balls to have him come off the bench instead of Rip. Rip isn't a better basketball player than AI, it's just that he fits the Pistons "system" very nicely & AI doesn't. I agree w/^ that AI might be the hardest player to fit pieces around.

[youvalss]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Speaking for myself as a Pistons fan, I'm more disappointed with Dumars than with Iverson. I pretty much knew Iverson wouldn't fit, and I'm not the only one. I respect Iverson, I just don't understand Dumars.

[Psyblast]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Speaking for myself as a Pistons fan, I'm more disappointed with Dumars than with Iverson. I pretty much knew Iverson wouldn't fit, and I'm not the only one. I respect Iverson, I just don't understand Dumars.

This wasn't a move designed for this year. What was the upside to keeping Billups? A 55 win season and a spectacular flameout in round 3 because this is a team full of egomaniacs who honestly believe they can "flip the switch" while ignoring the coach?

This was a money move. Trading Billups removes his big contract. AI and Rasheediot will walk after this year, freeing up an obscene amount of cash. The Pistons will be able to select anyone out there. If that means some bumpiness this year, fine. I'm not Dumars' biggest fan, but he did what had to be done. The core of this team is done. Their heyday expired in Game 7 in San Antonio. Should've seen it when they needed seven games to dispatch LeBron and a bunch of used car salesmen in 2006. Hell, look at last year. They screw around with Philadelphia and Orlando because people like Rasheed Wallace are "leading" this team and they think they only need to get up for Boston, and what happens when they get Boston? They get them right where they want them. 1-1, with two games coming at the Palace, with the Celtics 0-6 on the road in the playoffs, and what happens? Boston blows their **** out in front of their own fans. And then in Game 6, on their homecourt, up 10 in the 4th quarter with the season on the line, they fold.

I'm not sure what you (or anybody else) expect. Dumars bungled the 03 draft, and he bungled his last two coaching hires. Everybody should've seen this fiasco with Curry coming. The same players whose egos have gone out of control WANTED Curry in place, because they still felt like they could handle everything themselves. It's a joke.

Is there a chemistry issue with Billups gone and Iverson in there? Yes. But all that means is that there will be a 1st or 2nd round exit instead of a 3rd.

[rockchisler]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

This wasn't a move designed for this year. What was the upside to keeping Billups? A 55 win season and a spectacular flameout in round 3 because this is a team full of egomaniacs who honestly believe they can "flip the switch" while ignoring the coach?

This was a money move. Trading Billups removes his big contract. AI and Rasheediot will walk after this year, freeing up an obscene amount of cash. The Pistons will be able to select anyone out there. If that means some bumpiness this year, fine. I'm not Dumars' biggest fan, but he did what had to be done. The core of this team is done. Their heyday expired in Game 7 in San Antonio. Should've seen it when they needed seven games to dispatch LeBron and a bunch of used car salesmen in 2006. Hell, look at last year. They screw around with Philadelphia and Orlando because people like Rasheed Wallace are "leading" this team and they think they only need to get up for Boston, and what happens when they get Boston? They get them right where they want them. 1-1, with two games coming at the Palace, with the Celtics 0-6 on the road in the playoffs, and what happens? Boston blows their **** out in front of their own fans. And then in Game 6, on their homecourt, up 10 in the 4th quarter with the season on the line, they fold.

I'm not sure what you (or anybody else) expect. Dumars bungled the 03 draft, and he bungled his last two coaching hires. Everybody should've seen this fiasco with Curry coming. The same players whose egos have gone out of control WANTED Curry in place, because they still felt like they could handle everything themselves. It's a joke.

Is there a chemistry issue with Billups gone and Iverson in there? Yes. But all that means is that there will be a 1st or 2nd round exit instead of a 3rd.

Thank you, People outside of Detroit fail to realize that this was all about Money and getting Chris Bosh in summer of 2010 and another player.

[youvalss]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Chris Bosh?! It's getting worse...

[boomhauertjs]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Dumars overrated Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey will be a good player, but I don't think he'll ever be as good as Billups. They're probably going to end with Carlos Boozer this offseason. Good luck with that.

[Jukeman]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Lol was Rip talked about when the Pistons were winning when he was out???? The blame is coach curry and dumars for firing coaches after a couple years despite winning seasons....the only bigs they have is wallace(hes my boy)who think he's a SF, Mcdysse who is like 35 and must I mention Kwame? Maxell and Amir are undersize....Why isnt Jason Kidd talk about??? Mav's cleary were better without him...IMHO

Anyway AI is AI let him be Iverson not billups coach curry(who s*** as a coach BTW)

[KG]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Thank you, People outside of Detroit fail to realize that this was all about Money and getting Chris Bosh in summer of 2010 and another player.

Pretty much. I thought this was obvious to everyone. It was only mentioned on ESPN/Interweb everytime the trade was brought up.

I still think it was a great deal for the Pistons.

[Vince]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

Thank you, People outside of Detroit fail to realize that this was all about Money and getting Chris Bosh in summer of 2010 and another player.

Sign and Trade...

Gonna have to pay that boi 130 million to not really show up in big games and play matador D!

[DaImmaculateONe]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

lol nice avatar

[Muzyk23]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

he will miss 2 weeks

[malek05]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

What I don't understand is this.

You get rid of Flip Saunders, who is a good coach. And your reasoning for getting rid of him is that he is not authoritative enough, doesn't focus enough on the defensive end, and the players just generally don't like him.

And you bring in a guy who is much less authoratitve, thinks X's and O's are only mint for Tic Tac Toe boards, doesn't preach defense in any way, shape, or form, and generally seems to not have a clue about, or care about, what is going on during the game?

[Streets]

Re: Iverson the Scapegoat

This wasn't a move designed for this year. What was the upside to keeping Billups? A 55 win season and a spectacular flameout in round 3 because this is a team full of egomaniacs who honestly believe they can "flip the switch" while ignoring the coach?

This was a money move. Trading Billups removes his big contract. AI and Rasheediot will walk after this year, freeing up an obscene amount of cash. The Pistons will be able to select anyone out there. If that means some bumpiness this year, fine. I'm not Dumars' biggest fan, but he did what had to be done. The core of this team is done. Their heyday expired in Game 7 in San Antonio. Should've seen it when they needed seven games to dispatch LeBron and a bunch of used car salesmen in 2006. Hell, look at last year. They screw around with Philadelphia and Orlando because people like Rasheed Wallace are "leading" this team and they think they only need to get up for Boston, and what happens when they get Boston? They get them right where they want them. 1-1, with two games coming at the Palace, with the Celtics 0-6 on the road in the playoffs, and what happens? Boston blows their **** out in front of their own fans. And then in Game 6, on their homecourt, up 10 in the 4th quarter with the season on the line, they fold.

I'm not sure what you (or anybody else) expect. Dumars bungled the 03 draft, and he bungled his last two coaching hires. Everybody should've seen this fiasco with Curry coming. The same players whose egos have gone out of control WANTED Curry in place, because they still felt like they could handle everything themselves. It's a joke.

Is there a chemistry issue with Billups gone and Iverson in there? Yes. But all that means is that there will be a 1st or 2nd round exit instead of a 3rd.

/thread

Seriously though on a slightly related note, I could see each core member of the Pistons blowing up if they go elsewhere (think Chauncey, not Ben Wallace). I think that they have talent, but are all a bunch of complacent prima donnas. However, if they get traded (and I think it's time to blow it up... Iverson was a great start) I could see them balling hard on other teams.