The Allen Iverson Saga

[HMcCoy]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

IMO, it wasn't the offense that was bad. You guys were fine there, and nobody brought up anything the ENTIRE season about how LeBron needs help until you guys faced the Magic.

But against the Magic the Cavs offense was fine. You guys scored 89+ in every game. The Cavs hit 100 in 3 out of the 6 meetings. The team averaged 100+ on the season and ranked 6th in FG%. The Cavs were 4th in Offensive Efficiency among playoff teams. So offense wasn't a problem.

It was the defense that was POOR. Very poor. They couldn't stop the Magic at all. Which is why I don't think this would be a good move.

At least with SHAQ, LeBron can take possessions off until the fourth with the ball going through the big man. Then he'll be a little more fresh come crunch time.

I get what you're saying...Why risk the chemistry for one guy who only adresses a very specific need. We don't need scoring...we need CLUTCH scoring. Forget the stats, watch the 4th quarter of every one of those ORL games. We consistently had stretches where no one did anything but watch Bron. Mo getting toasted didn't kill us, we hid him on Lee. On the other hand, Mo couldn't throw it in the ocean and I don't think AI will have that problem. Our offense is all gravy when thing are going good but the first time we were tested Brons support melted under the lights, especially Mr. Williams. Those misses accounted for a ton of transition buckets for ORL.

All Im saying is that for the peanuts you can get AI for, I wouldn't mind it.

[23]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

I havent seen a team win with undersized guards since the Pistons and nowadays that doesnt seem to be the winning formula these days.

I dont see how Iverson is the answer to Clevelands woes...even if they were to escape Orlando's handle... Iverson is a marked man and everyone knows of his selfish tendencies at this point... without a change of attitude this guy cannot help anyone win anything, because he doesnt see the sacrifices it takes as necessary

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

End of discussion? LMFAO.

Cliches. Thats all you got...The only one being relevant is the attitude. He's always been undersized, and has still been a league MVP and one of the best players in the league. His scoring efficiency is decent...I want to hear case that 23 ppg on close to 46% shooting is volume scoring, lol? Bad year in DET is the book on AI? And Maurice Williams is a mediocre defender, man. Flat out. At least AI can pressue the ball when he wants to.

Not saying AI is our missing link. But considering value and the fact that you are somewhat insulated from some of his problems, this would not be a bad signing. We wouldn't even be touching the MLE...

How about this:

46% shooting? In the past 7 years, he's shot close to 46% once and that was last year in Denver, which by all accounts, was easily his best year. Over the past seven years, he has shot 42% on average and his best stats were in a high tempo offense in Denver, which is the picture perfect system for him.

When he was on a slow paced offense, like in Philly his last three years, he was consistently shooting 42% and last year, when he was once again in a slower offense, he shot 41%.

He is literally the worst possible fit I could think of in this free agency pool for the Baby Cows. If you want scoring off the bench, why don't you just sign Flip Murray? At least he can shoot more consistent than AI can.

[HMcCoy]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

How about this:

46% shooting? In the past 7 years, he's shot close to 46% once and that was last year in Denver, which by all accounts, was easily his best year. Over the past seven years, he has shot 42% on average and his best stats were in a high tempo offense in Denver, which is the picture perfect system for him.

When he was on a slow paced offense, like in Philly his last three years, he was consistently shooting 42% and last year, when he was once again in a slower offense, he shot 41%.

He is literally the worst possible fit I could think of in this free agency pool for the Baby Cows. If you want scoring off the bench, why don't you just sign Flip Murray? At least he can shoot more consistent than AI can.

In his 3 years in DEN, he averaged 45.4 shooting. In his last year in PHI it was 44.7. So yeah 45 and a half in DEN, not "just under 46".

We pretty much know AI was a volume scorer in his hey day...no need to go back 7 seasons to define AI now. But something I didn't realize though...while is reg season shooting has improved a bit, AI has shot a horrendous career .401 in the postseason. He's been < 40% in 4 of his 8 playoffs appearances. Thats beyond bad.

Still, AI > Boobie, and I just find it hard to believe you can't get ANYTHING from a 1st ballot HOF player with gas in the tank.

[Kully]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

It sounds like you are sold on AI HMcCoy, but I don't think your team can get him at less than the mle. I would want to see if an AI-Shaq combo would work

[Muzyk23]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

That's only cause A.I. hasn't found a team yet either...

what's your point? are you hurt like p2k?

it's natural that if he finds a team I'm going to root for them to succeed with him as part of it..smh

[Muzyk23]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

Exactly. Your posts in the Pistons thread prove where your allegiances are. When they traded for Iverson, you became a Pistons "fan." And then when they flamed out, it was their fault for trying to ruin him.

You're no different than the Randy Moss slappies in the NFL forum, and the Barry Bonds slappies in the baseball forum. Iverson can do no wrong. A tape could be released in high freaking definition of Iverson tripping an old lady in the street while holding his driver's license and some scientists nearby taking DNA samples verifying that it's AI...and you'd say the old lady should've been watching where she was going.

Face it. The Canswer doesn't give a **** about winning, he doesn't give a **** about being on a "team." He cares about his minutes, his touches, his looks, his PPG. He disgraced the #1 jersey in Detroit that Chauncey Billups wore for years, and at the same time it was perfect for him, because that's who Allen Iverson looks out for above all else: Number one.

I have hatred in my heart for Rasheed Wallace...but at least he put his psychotic tendencies aside enough to win a title before going off the rails. Your boy Iverson is one of the most selfish players to ever set foot on a basketball court. Period.

yeah because starting Stuckey, having a rookie coach who doesn't have a clue, having a sulking, crybabying Hamilton and disinterested Rasheed doesn't have anything to do with Pistons downfall..get the **** out of here with that bs

you know my alliegances? you know nothing..I'm a players fan..I don't give a damn about cities in the US, but it's natural that if a player a like is on a certain team I want them succeed as a COLLECTIVE

and I never ever said that Iverson isn't at fault with some things but I'm just ****ing refusing to make him a scapegoat of Pistons' demise

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

In his 3 years in DEN, he averaged 45.4 shooting. In his last year in PHI it was 44.7. So yeah 45 and a half in DEN, not "just under 46".

We pretty much know AI was a volume scorer in his hey day...no need to go back 7 seasons to define AI now. But something I didn't realize though...while is reg season shooting has improved a bit, AI has shot a horrendous career .401 in the postseason. He's been < 40% in 4 of his 8 playoffs appearances. Thats beyond bad.

Still, AI > Boobie, and I just find it hard to believe you can't get ANYTHING from a 1st ballot HOF player with gas in the tank.

I think Iverson's numbers from Denver are really misleading. That team threw defense out the door and essentially ran up and court all game. So the other teams by and large did the same thing. Iverson is not an efficient player, and didn't become one in Denver. You put him in a half court set like Cleveland's and you'll see that.

That having been said, the opposite could be true for his defense. His defense looked god awful in Denver and Curry didn't have any echoes of Carlisle and Brown's systems in his defense. Put Iverson with a group of guys dedicated to play D, and you might get a nice surprise on that end of the floor.

He does have a "steal or nothing" style defensively, but since he cares about it and is still one of the faster players in the game, you can probably get him to be a much better defensive player than he's been in the last few years.

Still, I'm not sure about the move for Cleveland. They don't need to be a "better team" overall, they need to beat Orlando, Boston, San Antonio, LA and Denver. First and foremost, they need to get more out of the backcourt that they already have. West and Williams were an excellent backcourt during the season. Changing things according to an ECF loss might be a little much. They really need to get Mo Williams to play better somehow. Rafer Alston kicked his butt, and that's supposed to be a matchup that they win handily. Either Mo has to step up in the playoffs, or you gotta trade him.

The front court on the other hand, was going to need some retooling anyway.

[P2K]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

what's your point? are you hurt like p2k?

it's natural that if he finds a team I'm going to root for them to succeed with him as part of it..smh

Why are you bringing me up? I said nothing to you lol

Why would I be hurt? Telling the truth about a player means I'm hurt?

[Admiral50]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

If Iverson ever had a good big man, his numbers would be a lot better. Not trying to make excuses this late in his career, but he's never had much around him.

[Muzyk23]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

Why are you bringing me up? I said nothing to you lol

Why would I be hurt? Telling the truth about a player means I'm hurt?

I know your remarks were also directed at me but nevermind..let's leave it as it is..

[Vince]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

what's your point? are you hurt like p2k?

it's natural that if he finds a team I'm going to root for them to succeed with him as part of it..smh

wow you take jokes really poorly...

first the Euro MJ now this..

Sorry bro..and no im not hurt lol .I don't give a crap about AI or the teams he has played for.

[Muzyk23]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

yes, these days I take jokes poorly..can't help it

[P2K]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

If Iverson ever had a good big man, his numbers would be a lot better. Not trying to make excuses this late in his career, but he's never had much around him.

One could argue that his playing style doesn't allow for him to be surrounded by good offensive players.

[P2K]

Re: Iverson wants to go to Memphis?

I know your remarks were also directed at me but nevermind..let's leave it as it is..

You're not the only AI fan.