The Allen Iverson Saga

[Stumbleweed]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Orlando is about the same as last year... they got older, lost a lot of versatility in Turk, and put themselves in salary cap hell. Denver picked up Afflalo for beans, got one of the best PGs in the draft in Lawson, and resigned Birdman to a reasonable contract while only losing the plateaued Kleiza and possibly Anthony Carter (who I think will re-sign because nobody will give him years). They also have 2 open roster spots that must be filled and basically the pick of all the D-league and FA players since they're the only contender with roster space and trade exceptions to use. We can't really judge them until they fill out their roster.

But yeah, I think ORL will be slightly worse than last year... just one of those feelings. They have to contend with a healthy Celtics team and an improved Cavs team too, which will knock their record down a few games. Losing the chemistry and versaility they had with Turk will hurt them IMO, as well as losing Lee (who was one of the better playoff performers and perimeter defenders last year while being a rookie).

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Really can't see how you can say they're the same as they were last year but ok. But I guess people will continue to overestimate the loss of Turkey Glue and overestimate the impact it will have on the Magic until it's time to play the games. Oh well...

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

ORL is ahead of DEN in my eyes plain and simple

However this thread got way off course

[Stumbleweed]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Hey, we'll see. I just think Turk was a special part of their offense and the reason that they were so tough to defend despite basically either going to Dwight or shooting threes. VC might be the perfect answer for them, but I think they'll start missing the size they had on their starting line and the extra shooting/passing ability that Turk has over Vince. Now they're back to a more traditional lineup which is easier to defend and leaves less room for Dwight to operate. Their bench is better overall with the addition of Bass (though they overpaid for him and Gortat badly), but the loss of Lee is bigger than people think too... he's a very good defender.

Anyway, back to AI. I'd be pretty distraught if he retires after the way last year went. That's no kind of legacy to leave. I hope someone takes a chance on him, but teams are filling up and it's not looking any more likely now than it was at the beginning of the off-season. Never thought I'd see a future HOF 22+ PPG scorer with big box office value sitting and waiting for someone to give him a chance... shows both how weird the market is this season and also how much damage last year did to his already-shaky rep.

[PrettyT11]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Never thought I'd see a future HOF 22+ PPG scorer with big box office value sitting and waiting for someone to give him a chance... shows both how weird the market is this season and also how much damage last year did to his already-shaky rep.

So true. You would think somebody would have at least put him on just to sell some tickets and more exposure. Him being voted into the all star game last season shows he still has millions of fans outhere.

[TMagic]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Any word on the most likely destination for A.I.?

If anything, where do you guys think he will most likely end up?

I want to sign him to somebody, so that I can start a new association with the rooks coming in and all the restructured teams. I just don't want A.I. to be signed to somebody that he will most likely not be going to. :o

[NBA2k8 CHAMP]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Miami wants him.

[DTX3]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

If he's smart he'll go overseas. He's not playing to win, might as well cash out.

[bubbachuck]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

If he's smart he'll go overseas. He's not playing to win, might as well cash out.

false. no need to "cash out." the man can play for free considering all he's made over the years (just got 20+ mil last season) and he prob makes more from reebok than a lot of nba players make in the NBA. i think its more of the starting thing. first ballot HOF with gas left in the tank should NOT go overseas hahaha

[23]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

The overwhelming belief among NBA general managers is that Allen Iverson isn't worth all the trouble that could come along with him.

"It's a really dicey question," one general manager said, according to NBA.com.

However, unless he decides to retire, Iverson is likely to find a home before the start of the 2009-10 season.

"As a GM, it would be interesting to find out how many GMs with playoff-caliber teams would be willing to even give the veteran's minimum, where the league picks up a large percentage of the salary," the same executive said. "Even at the minimum, you're going to go through training camp and one or two months of the season trying to get the experiment to be successful. I would venture to say that 30 percent or less of playoff GMs would have him for the minimum."

Iverson isn't opposed to signing a one-year deal, but sources close to the guard claim that the circumstances would have to be right.

"There are different scenarios impacting AI at the same time," another GM told NBA.com. "One of them is economic, another is the recent performance of his last two teams -- Denver and Detroit -- and not necessarily his performance, and another is teams protecting space for next summer.

"All of those line up. Another probable factor is what he's asking for. I don't think it is one thing. It's a multitude of factors."

Via NBA.com

[zfinley]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

Really it's about 3 or 4 teams looking at him right now. this ^^^ post shows he has very little options but, I truely believe it will be miami or bobcats.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

How can one of the top 5 players of this decade be sniffing around for a minimum contract?

Wow. Thing is you never question Iversons heart and desire to win. What else is it?

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

How can one of the top 5 players of this decade be sniffing around for a minimum contract?

Wow. Thing is you never question Iversons heart and desire to win. What else is it?

This is what I'm constantly saying to people who rush to AI's defense.

It's not just me saying "no to AI" it's the actual GM's and owners.

You would think by the way people talk about this guy still, that contenders would be tripping over themselves to sign this guy. Not the case. Not even the freakin Grizzlies want him. Case closed.

[Vince]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

At this point he'll probably get signed mid season by some contender.

[P2K]

Re: The Allen Iverson Saga

How can one of the top 5 players of this decade be sniffing around for a minimum contract?

Wow. Thing is you never question Iversons heart and desire to win. What else is it?

That heart and desire is there on the defensive side or to transform himself into a better team player?

I guess the message keeps getting overlooked.