Rumor: Allen Iverson Wants Out of Philly + Warriors Need The Answer

by Atma Brother ONE on Dec 8, 2006 11:58 AM PST in Rumors

I've been a hoops junkie for nearly two decades and over the years there's two things I've learned are sure things in the NBA:

9 times out of 10 an untrained monkey has a higher probability of making a better decision that the Warriors' front office
Anything that Peter Vecsey says will happen never actually happens.

Still, Vecsey's article today for the New York Post based on his "inside sources" about Allen Iverson wanting out of Philly actually seems plausible. I really think AI won't be sporting a Sixers jersey by late February.

Dave Del Grande thinks the Warriors should make a move for Allen Iverson and I couldn't agree more. He suggests moving Baron Davis plus Ike Diogu or Troy Murphy, but I would actually work hard to try to team up BD with AI. I would move anyone on this roster aside from Boom Dizzle and JRich for AI. If Billy King and the Sixers' front office stood their ground and wanted a part of the BoomRich backcourt to make a deal for The Answer to happen, I'd honestly seriously consider pulling the trigger. Here's why:

First and foremost check out Iverson's career numbers
AI instantly puts the Warriors back on the NBA map. It's similar to what Chris Webber did for the Sacramento Kings earlier this decade. Minus CDubb, the Kings are still on the NBA map nearly 7 years later.
Normally I'd say Allen Iverson would be absolutely pissed to be traded to the NBA's version of no man's land (ahem, "Golden State"), but with Nellie and his run and gun offense he'd quickly learn to like it here.
No one on this roster will ever be as good of a player as Allen Iverson is right now at the age of 31. It's difficult to project any current Warrior being as good as he will be for the next 3 years either (AI's contract goes through the 2008-09 season).
From last summer's trade market, it seemed like the Sixers wanted JRich and TMurph for Iverson. That would still leave the Warriors with AI and BD. That would work wonders in the West. The passing, the scoring, the energy, and the hustle (that's probably 5 steals a game right there) would be fun to watch.
Now's the time to sucker some front office into thinking that Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins have unlimited, super star potential. Package them along with some of the nightmare contracts (Adonal Foyle, Troy Murphy, and Mike Dunleavy) and the Warriors might be able to have a trio of Allen Iverson, Baron Davis, and Jason Richardson for the next few years. Add some average players or free agents to that trio and the Warriors would make some noise in the Western Conference playoffs.
As Iverson transitions to the latter part of his career, he's going to be a great passing point guard. I imagine his scoring will go down to the mid or low 20's, but his assists will reach double digits. His court vision is just THAT good.
And of course it makes plenty of cents for Chris Cohan and Robert Rowell- The Oracle Arena is guaranteed to sell out every single night with Allen Iverson donning a Warriors' uniform. AI jerseys would be the hottest item in the Bay. No question.

I'll admit I'm 100% biased on this one as Allen Iverson has been my favorite basketball player for over a decade. I've been following him since his playing days at Georgetown. I was loudly and obnoxiously rooting for him and the 2002 Philadelphia 76ers to pull off the huge upset against the LA Lakers in the NBA Finals when I lived in SoCal.

One of the greatest NBA Finals games of all time. Too bad the rest of the series was terrible.

Do you think Allen Iverson could take the Warriors to the playoffs this year? What would you give up for him?

From the archives:

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

Also check out OaktownFunk's diary Jrich out indefinitely...iverson available for more community discussion.

0 recs | Comment 19 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

You've got to be kidding me!

AI is not as good a player as his scoring suggests. He doesn't help the Warriors primary weaknesses (defense and ball movement), and there's a lot of duplication between his skills as Baron's.

To give up either Monta or Biedrins for him is insane.

AI is the classic example of a player being evaluated too much by his scoring. Yes, he can fill up the basket. But he's 31 - which is getting near the end of the road for a player who relies on quickness. He shoots a low percentage and scores because he hogs the ball. He's a worse 3pt shooter than Baron, and a worse distributor.

Going for him would be a move like Philly signing Webber - there's no rational reason to think it'll work out. You do it for the media attention and to get a bunch of stories written about you in the east coast papers.

No, thanks.

by Ronaldinho on Dec 8, 2006 12:26 PM PST 0 recs

There's hope

If there is anyone to swindle in this league, it's Billy "Let's Make a Deal" King. Isiah Thomas would be the undisputed champ if he had any desirable bargaining chips to trade. It's sad really. Here's to Marbury returning to his All-league self and then getting traded for Kevin Ollie and a stiff to be named later.

by longus on Dec 8, 2006 12:33 PM PST 0 recs

actually

I wonder if there would be anyway that the Knicks could swing a Marbury or Francis for AI deal? I could see something like that happening.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Dec 8, 2006 1:51 PM PST 0 recs

WHAT?!?!?!?

TRADE FOYLE?!?!?!?!

You will NEVER be a GM.

by Zorgon on Dec 8, 2006 2:35 PM PST 0 recs

ai

i don't like it. ai is my favorite player, but baron and ellis are pretty damn good already.

by thewarriorsrule on Dec 8, 2006 3:15 PM PST 0 recs

Mullin

I don't even think he could mess this up. Any trade for Iverson would have to include some of our terrible long-term contracts. If we're going to be doling out that kind of money, we might as well be doing it on a shorter contract and a better player. Foyle for Iverson and 37 consecutive first rounders? Yeah, you're right. Better make it 38...

by longus on Dec 8, 2006 3:49 PM PST 0 recs

i see AI

hurting the development of its young players--namely Monta. Needing at least 25-30 shots a game (this isn't how many touches he actually gets), i'm not sure whut is left for folks like AB, Diogu (if he ever comes back) and others. I love him as a player, but the potential reason they're shipping him--aside from the fact that he wants out--is the fact that Iggy and Carney need some touches.

by dj fuzzylogic on Dec 8, 2006 5:30 PM PST 0 recs

I would agree with you...

...if not for my huge Iverson man crush. Feel free to disagree, but with how hard he plays, his emotion and his effort, doesn't he seem like the type that will be a team player when need be? I have always assumed that he shot so much because if it wasn't him, one of the many J-less jumping jacks (Iggy, Carney, Hughes, Green, etc.) they've drafted over the years would be clanking shot after shot. I know it's purely conjecture, but to me, he totally seems like he would be willing to do what's right for the team. If that means becoming the Hood Steve Nash, so be it.

by longus on Dec 8, 2006 6:34 PM PST up 0 recs

touches

AI gives us a chance to touch playoffs - do BD, Monta, and Ike give us that? ... worrying about AB's touches? He'll likely get as much from AI as Baron. Ike? who? What's the likelihood he's going to flourish under Nelson? Monta? His game might be accelerated playing with AI - imagine him learning from the best on a nightly basis (that is if he's not in the trade) ... Nelson is not going to be here long, let's land AI if we can and see what music the two of them could make, hoping CWeb hasn't brainwashed AI into hating his ol' nemisis ...

by hardcore on Dec 8, 2006 10:49 PM PST up 0 recs

a real superstar

i def. agree with the both of y'all. Atma and I had a brief discussion about it last nite and he convinced that no one on the Warriors should be "untouchable" given that none of them have proved that they are playoff worthy. I guess I see Philly and GSW in the same boat, both with really mild talent. So, does bringing in AI end up recreating Philly but in the bay? Mp2, Dun, Murphy et al to me, look like Philly's youngsters if not possibly worse. I assume that getting AI involves picking up Baron, Jrich, and Murph or some combination of our many horrible contracts. Just some ideas...

by dj fuzzylogic on Dec 9, 2006 8:08 AM PST up 0 recs

I agree

I agree with you guys and this article. A.I. should be grabbed at any and all costs, period. We need to bring a winning culture to the Bay, and that's #1. Package some newbies, some vets, I don't care. We will not be dumping any large contracts. I repeat, we will not be dumping any large contracts. Did you understand that or so I need to say it again? Billy King is not going to take a Foyle or Dunleavy OK? It's unlikely he would need a Murphy either granted he has CWebb now and we'd never want that guy back. So it will have to involve JRich, Ike, or BD, with some Monta or Pietrus on the side (they wouldn't need an AB with Dalembert and his huge contract locked).

So in perspective, looking at the worst case, how bad would it be if we did lose any combination of those 5 guys for A.I.? He's got at least 3 good years, Nellie's got that too (counting this season), let's make some playoff noise and then once we've erased our losing culture and have gotten back our fanbase, continue pushing good trades and deals in the future.

But, considering Mullin is a little bit soft with these things, I think we'll go nowhere unless Nellie steps up and lays his foot down.

One more note: There's an awfully good chance Sac could snatch him. In addition to Minnesota, I think if SAC snatched him, this would really destroy our chances of making an 8th seed appearance in the playoffs, so that should be another reason for us to fight for a trade, to prevent another Western competing team from getting better.

by gsdubz on Dec 9, 2006 10:49 AM PST up 0 recs

Egads. Don't let it be Sacramento!

"One more note: There's an awfully good chance Sac could snatch him."

It is interesting how the blogger opinion at Sactown is "no AI" and it is opposite here, generally. Sacramento does seem like the Boys Town of the league (Webber, Artest, Bonzi) but I don't think we (Kings) can take one more ego right now while still struggling (that is being kind) under a new/young coaching staff. We need changes in personnel, no question, but I don't think AI is The Answer.

AI practices when he wants, plays when he wants and shows up at team functions when he wants. He is an amazing talent and, I think, a decent guy but do either of our teams really need another old player at the point in his career where it is retirement fund time? And, why would AI want to be on either of our teams? We are so focused on just making the Playoffs - winning it all is years away and by then the man will be done.

What I am getting to is this: If you think AI will waltz into town and all of a sudden forget his love for Philly and be the big team guy - you might be disappointed. If you are shocked when your new star acquisition can't/won't play most of the season because he has back problems - don't be shocked. Unfortunately, Sir Charles is right about our teams when he says we need to start over and develop the young players we have. GSW is closer than Sacto in that logical development.

by pyro on Dec 9, 2006 1:06 PM PST up 0 recs

If we can work out anything to get Iverson

With the Sixers, even though we don't primarily need another scoring guard right now(temporarily until JRich is back, yes), he becomes part of our options to trade for something we do need.

KG anyone?

Letting go of some of our harder to move contracts if they're willing to let AI go and will stomach the cost, then we package Iverson together with something that the Wolves might find appealing such as a Pietrus/POB/Troy/etc.

If we hold onto Iverson for a year and see what happens, if it doesn't work out- we can move to get KG.

There's a reason why the Wolves, Sixers, and Warriors haven't done well for a while. Not making good trades and keeping the rosters nearly the same year in, year out.

Trading for an established superstar doesn't happen often, so lets make the most of it Cohan, Mullin, and Nelson!

Jim Gray just reported he was duped by an imposter claiming to be Allen Iverson on the phone, an imposter who said AI wanted to be traded only to Minnesota and play with KG!

Jim Gray is a character.

by back2back51s on Dec 8, 2006 7:05 PM PST 0 recs

Haha

Jim Gray just reported he was duped by an imposter claiming to be Allen Iverson on the phone, an imposter who said AI wanted to be traded only to Minnesota and play with KG!

Yeah, I couldn't believe it. I expected more even from Jim Gray.

by Atma Brother ONE on Dec 8, 2006 7:15 PM PST up 0 recs

why? Jim Gray

was the idiot who interviewed Rose at the AS game, right? That guy is a sparrow who flits around talent and thinks he is a talented reporter because of it ...

by hardcore on Dec 8, 2006 10:43 PM PST up 0 recs

Really?

I stopped watching the game. What a clown.

by longus on Dec 8, 2006 7:18 PM PST up 0 recs

No Way We Trade AB and Monta!!!

Trading AB and Monta as sucker pieces. You got to be kidding me???!!!???!!! LOL. Those two are the Warriors future. You should definitely rethink that one.

I'd love to have Iverson on the Warriors because he is a go to guy, can score and is exciting, but there is a risk.

Baron for AI straight up sounds good to me. Throw in Zarko or McLeod to match salaries. Both AI and Baron need to have the ball, but AI is a much better scorer. Baron is the better passer and creator when he wants to be. Otherwise the guy is a chucker.

But we will have Monta at PG to replace Baron. AI is more durable than Baron so is an upgrade and will allow JRich to slide into the SF spot when he returns. The big issues will be the amount of turnovers between he and Monta and whether AI will give up his scoring for better ball movement and team involvment. I think Nellie can get AI to conform.

by callahan on Dec 8, 2006 11:34 PM PST 0 recs

Good points

Trading AB and Monta as sucker pieces. You got to be kidding me???!!!???!!! LOL. Those two are the Warriors future. You should definitely rethink that one.

Maybe I'm alone, but I don't see their upside as great as everyone else. I see Monta as a rich man's Tony Parker. That would make a him a very good player, but he's not a #1 option. Without the Tim Duncan, Parker on steroids wouldn't get you to the playoffs.

As for Biedrins, I really don't know what to expect. He's still very, very limited. I don't know how high his ceiling really is. His form is still very awkward. For all we really know he could be the next Samuel Dalembert- a huge half season rewarded with a major contract extension and now somewhat of a bust.

But we will have Monta at PG to replace Baron.

I just don't see Monta as a full time point guard. That distributor mentality really seems forced on him.

I think Nellie can get AI to conform.

Me too. I think AI just wants to win right now. He's fully capable of being that 20ppg+ and 10+ apg player that would make this team actually compete.

by Atma Brother ONE on Dec 9, 2006 10:17 AM PST up 0 recs