Iverson back where he belongs.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

LOL @ tanking isn't the way to go. Tell that to the Spurs, Cavs and Celtics. Geniuses...I love 'em.

The Spurs didn't tank that year they where just that bad. David Robinson didn't play but 6 games and Sean Elliot didn't play but 39. That's thier two best players. They where lucky to win the 20 that they did.

Speaking of the Tim Duncan draft that was the same year the Celtics did tank and it backfired in thier face. They just knew for sure they where getting Tim Duncan when they had the worst record in the league and the Mav's lottery pick. Instead of Duncan they got Ron Mercer and Billups. We all know how that worked out. The next time they where thought of as tanking was the Oden and Durant draft. Again the Boston folks where pissed they didn't get the first or second pick. They got lucky that they didn't or they wouldn't have the roster they do now.

I don't know if you can say the Cavs tanked or not. Thier team just sucked and couldn't really win anyway.

Overall tanking does not work in the NBA. The team with the worst record has only won the lottery twice. Just look at the ever losing Knicks as a perfect example of losing games not being a benefit to the team.

[P2K]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

The Spurs didn't tank that year they where just that bad. David Robinson didn't play but 6 games and Sean Elliot didn't play but 39. That's thier two best players. They where lucky to win the 20 that they did.

Believe what you want, but everyone knows Robinson was held from coming back to improve their chances. They tanked. That was the known thought back then, too.

Speaking of the Tim Duncan draft that was the same year the Celtics did tank and it backfired in thier face. They just knew for sure they where getting Tim Duncan when they had the worst record in the league and the Mav's lottery pick. Instead of Duncan they got Ron Mercer and Billups. We all know how that worked out. The next time they where thought of as tanking was the Oden and Durant draft. Again the Boston folks where pissed they didn't get the first or second pick. They got lucky that they didn't or they wouldn't have the roster they do now.

I don't know if you can say the Cavs tanked or not. Thier team just sucked and couldn't really win anyway.

Overall tanking does not work in the NBA. The team with the worst record has only won the lottery twice. Just look at the ever losing Knicks as a perfect example of losing games not being a benefit to the team.

So, tanking does not work. Fine. We agree to disagree. But what is it called when your team is a lost cause to do anything, so it would be best to just play the young guys all season?

[JBH3]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Winning is always the answer...no pun intended. A good front office will FIND talent in the draft. You don't have to have a top5 pick...The last two picks by the 76ers are arguably cornerstones to their future, Speights and Holiday, and were drafted 16th and 17th overall. Thaddeus was drafted w/ the 12th overall selection...

Tanking is shortsighted and stupid. It sends a poor message to the team, and does nothing but ensure a chance A SLIGHT INCREASE in ODDS, that you land a top5 pick.

[P2K]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Winning is always the answer...no pun intended. A good front office will FIND talent in the draft. You don't have to have a top5 pick...The last two picks by the 76ers are arguably cornerstones to their future, Speights and Holiday, and were drafted 16th and 17th overall. Thaddeus was drafted w/ the 12th overall selection...

Tanking is shortsighted and stupid. It sends a poor message to the team, and does nothing but ensure a chance A SLIGHT INCREASE in ODDS, that you land a top5 pick.

What planet are you living on where you an NBA team doesn't need a superstar player?

Speights, Holiday and Thad aren't superstars. At least none of them has shown to be one. This team doesn't have anyone to build around.

I'm still waiting for info that shows you don't need a drafted superstar out of the lottery. Until then, there's nothing to debate here.

[Jukeman]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Name 10 superstars that were top 5 picks in the last decade...

[Tha_Kid]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Dwight Howard
Yao Ming
Carmelo
Lebron
Wade
Bosh
Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Kevin Durant
Derrick Rose/Devin Harris/Aldridge (debatable)

I disagree with P2K about the whole tanking philosophy, but the list notwithstanding, a high draft pick is about potential not just who has been/could be drafted. The Clippers turned a top pick into Elton Brand instead of Curry/Chandler/Kwame, for example.

[Taur3asi3]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

As a sidebar i hate the word "superstar" for discussions like this because everyone interprets it differently. All-star is a much better term because the criteria is more straight forward.

[Streets]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

LOL @ how a 1 year non guaranteed veterans minimum to replace an injured starter is going to set the philly franchise back 5 years.

THIS. I agree wholeheartedly,

BUT...

Iverson honestly angered me and has shown his true colors over the course of this year. He refused to change his me-first style of play, then when no one wanted him he signed with Memphis, knowing damn well that they are a rebuilding team. He missed all of preseason, came back from injury and played off the bench for THREE games, before deciding that his best course of action was to complain to the media about his problems with the coach's decisions. It came out later that Iverson was not promised a starting spot and had to EARN it. Yeah, Iverson is more talented than Conley (I don't know about Gay/Mayo) but rather than learning the plays, putting the time in, and busting his butt in practice, he decides he's owed, because he still thinks it's 2001. The NBA has changed, but Iverson refuses to, and because of that, no one wants his brand of basketball (as was seen by the lack of offers he has received). Iverson, had a real chance to be a mentor to some great young players, and instead made a comment about trying to win games doing what he does rather than "babysitting" (that really rubbed me the wrong way). Later, it came out that he had to leave the team for "personal reasons" and a lot of people said he quit on his team. Later on, he and the Grizzlies decided it was time to part ways and Iverson threw a hissy and said he was going to retire. Few here believed him, those who did were posting their Iverson tribute's and eulogies. The "retirement" lasted what? A week. He's back in Philly playing for the aforementioned contract and it's sad that that it what his worth is (non-guaranteed, 1 year, on a bottom-dweller). I actually like Iverson (he is exciting to watch) and really hope he succeeds in Philly (as much success as you can really have with that team). It's just messed up that he could of been so much more had he been willing to change his game or his role.

What's even sadder, is that some people refuse to acknowledge any of what I just wrote, and think Iverson can do no wrong. Again, this is harsh, but despite that I wish AI the best.

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

As a sidebar i hate the word "superstar" for discussions like this because everyone interprets it differently. All-star is a much better term because the criteria is more straight forward.

Thank you.

The Pistons beat the superstar team of the Lakers years ago. The Spurs superstar is a slow moving center who defers to his role players in late game situations.

Those teams won it all.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

I'm still waiting for info that shows you don't need a drafted superstar out of the lottery. Until then, there's nothing to debate here.

Are you saying one that the team actually drafted themselves or just a player that was selected by somebody in the lottery??

[PrettyT11]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Just to throw one out there though until you give an answer the Pistons built a championship team with a bunch of other teams cast offs and guys that people had or was about to give up on. Their most impactful and arguably best player on the team wasn't even drafted at all.

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Does anyone have a gif of Stuckey DROPPING AI with the crossover tonight? That's one of the worst ankle breakers ever. He fell as if somebody wax de floor.

[23]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

THIS. I agree wholeheartedly,

BUT...

Iverson honestly angered me and has shown his true colors over the course of this year. He refused to change his me-first style of play, then when no one wanted him he signed with Memphis, knowing damn well that they are a rebuilding team. He missed all of preseason, came back from injury and played off the bench for THREE games, before deciding that his best course of action was to complain to the media about his problems with the coach's decisions. It came out later that Iverson was not promised a starting spot and had to EARN it. Yeah, Iverson is more talented than Conley (I don't know about Gay/Mayo) but rather than learning the plays, putting the time in, and busting his butt in practice, he decides he's owed, because he still thinks it's 2001. The NBA has changed, but Iverson refuses to, and because of that, no one wants his brand of basketball (as was seen by the lack of offers he has received). Iverson, had a real chance to be a mentor to some great young players, and instead made a comment about trying to win games doing what he does rather than "babysitting" (that really rubbed me the wrong way). Later, it came out that he had to leave the team for "personal reasons" and a lot of people said he quit on his team. Later on, he and the Grizzlies decided it was time to part ways and Iverson threw a hissy and said he was going to retire. Few here believed him, those who did were posting their Iverson tribute's and eulogies. The "retirement" lasted what? A week. He's back in Philly playing for the aforementioned contract and it's sad that that it what his worth is (non-guaranteed, 1 year, on a bottom-dweller). I actually like Iverson (he is exciting to watch) and really hope he succeeds in Philly (as much success as you can really have with that team). It's just messed up that he could of been so much more had he been willing to change his game or his role.

What's even sadder, is that some people refuse to acknowledge any of what I just wrote, and think Iverson can do no wrong. Again, this is harsh, but despite that I wish AI the best.

I disagree about one thing

AI didnt complain after 3 games, he complained to the media after the very first game

[slimm44]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Except for his heart, how can Iverson mentor younger players? The consensus seems to be that he was a super athlete with ridiculous quickness who has been a me-first player on offense. What is he going to teach younger players that would help them win? You can't teach quickness. Heart can be contagious, so he has that one. He's not gonna be practice's number one supporter. He hasn't shown any intangibles that would make me think he could teach someone else how to be a team player. Why is the word mentor even being tossed around? Is there something I'm missing?

[slimm44]

Re: Iverson back where he belongs.

Thank you.

The Pistons beat the superstar team of the Lakers years ago. The Spurs superstar is a slow moving center who defers to his role players in late game situations.

Those teams won it all.

I am not sure I am reading this right...are you arguing AGAINST Timmy being a superstar?