Is Denver the Right Place for Allen Iverson?
Co Co’s team starts with these two
Guys, bear with me for a few moments because I’m about to ramble. I have no idea where this is headed.
As a fan of both A I and Kobe I’m so torn about this Nuggets/Lakers series. It pains me to see A I’s team struggling like this. I have extreme fan love for AI and I’ve had it since he entered the league. I also have fan love for Kobe, but it’s not on the same level as my affection for A I.
A I is so relatable! He’s looks like a regular dude. He’s barely 6 feet tall, and he probably only weighs about 160 lbs. Plus, he’s adorable! It’s almost too easy to root for him. How can you not?
During last night’s game after Kobe went for 49 points TNT showed a cutaway of A I sitting on the bench late in the fourth quarter when the game was all but over and he had the most stoic look on his face. He was just looking straight ahead expressionless, and my heart damn near broke for him.
I know this series is technically not over, but the Nuggets aren’t going to magically learn how to play defense for four out of five games. It just ain’t happening.
I really don’t understand how the Nuggets can be THIS bad defensively. It’s mind boggling!
I don’t know what was going through A I’s mind, but as I watched him the only thing that went through my mind was that he doesn’t deserve this. This season we’re (not really me) all rooting for KG, Ray and Pierce to finally get their rings, but is anyone rooting for A I anymore? Does he not deserve a ring just as much if not more than those three guys?
I defy you to name a man who plays harder than A I. I’ll wait………….
You probably couldn’t come up with anyone, don’t feel bad because no such man exists. I’ve been watching A I play for years and I cannot recall a game where I thought for one minute that he wasn’t trying. I cannot say that about anyone else right now.
Somehow this little man has been able to dominate the league in his own way for 12 years! It’s amazing that he still plays at such a high level and he still wants to win as much as anyone.
I guess I just needed to say that someone needs to find a way to get this man a real opportunity to win a ring. I don’t know what team he can go to in the next few years to accomplish this, but I sure hope he finds one. I’m convinced now more than ever that Denver is not that team.
Co Co, I understand your pain. However when it comes to watching this series and cheering for both the #1 overall pick and the #13th pick…to me its apples and oranges. Kobe played last night like he was already a week ahead in game 4. AI did the same, however the rest of the Nuggets are NEVER around to give him support or DEFENSE.
I’m not sure what team Iverson would be best utilized on, however I do know its not in the Mile High City.
Denver needs to get rid of Carmelo and Camby, trade them niggas to Dallas for Bass, money, and draft picks. Use the money and draft picks to get T-Mac out of Houston. Trade Kenyon martin for money and/or draft picks.
Starting rotation
PG – Iverson
SG – J.R. Smith
SF – T- Mac
PF – Bass
C – Nene’
Thats my fix.
First and foremost I’ve had this conversation TOO many times lol.
I think AI is in the right place….the change needs to be with the coach. Listen to how George Karl has been talkin as of late and all season…it seems like he just isn’t the one to make these guys play up to their full compacity. Its in the facts…
First –
Denver plays up to their competition when everyone expects them to lose. I doubt you can find another team this season that has beaten Boston, San Antonio and Phoenix all in the same two weeks. How did they do it…with a defense no one claims they have. They played those games perfectly and it went unnoticed by the talking heads in most sports media outlets.
Also you can look at the must win game they played against both Dallas and Golden State. Again, locking down when needed and winning after trailing by double digits in both games.
Second –
At the same time, they play DOWN to their competition too. Look at the loses to Chicago, Minnesota and Seattle. All games where it looked like they were just playing around out there and forgetting that this is basically playoff bball they are in. Hell at one point Chicago was up 20…they came back within a quarter to take the lead…and STILL lost by 6. Ridiculous.
Third –
I think they have the most pure talent of just about any roster in the NBA. And should make some minor adjustments. I liked them getting rid of Steve Blake, but he’s showing how well he can play as a point guard, so that may have been a mistake. AI at point though is just as much as one. I think he needs to be roaming as a shooting guard. There are FEW defenders in the league who could keep up with that. Trading Camby and Martin would be dumb. Period.
First off Camby was the Defensive player of the year. He may only bring you 6 points, but his 4 blocks and damn near 13 -17 boards a game are more valuable than that. Next, Martin is a better defender, scorer and rebounder than Bass:
Bass 8.3/4.4
Martin 12.4/6.5
The only question you may have with K Mart in injuries, but that has been dealt with fine this year.
And speaking of injuries, you want to trade Melo and bring in T Mac?!?!?! Please. T Mac is my boy and when he is a 100% he is damn near as good as Kobe…but when is the last time he has been 100%??????? That would be TOO much of a risk.
My issue with Melo is the mental aspect of the game. I seriously hate talking about athletes mental states the way these talking heads do…but I question Melo sometimes. He’s PROVEN he can lead and win…just ask Syracuse…but when is he gonna step up and do it here. I liked him more than Lebron in the 03 draft…I’ll say it…but he just does not have that KILLER instinct and want to DESTORY everyone on the court that LeBron has. They have the same physical tools…but the DESIRE….i just don’t know.
MY lineup –
PG — Unknown at this time…find a solid one
SG — AI – why else — J.R. off the bench…there would not be another second string 2 guard who could deal with him.
SF — Melo — Linus — same reason as above. Another strong one/two punch
PF — K Mart — Need a new backup who plays D. I’m not a big Nahjara fan.
C — Camby — Nene is a great starter and he could fill here or for K Mart off the bench. It might be hard to hang on to him in the long run.
Basically…I feel like the coach needs to be looked at FIRST before the players. Hell if Avery Johnson can lose his job in Dallas for the way they have lost in the playoffs the last few years, why the hell can’t George Karl. You don’t hear anyone talking about moving any Dallas players……
The Nuggets roster is fine. I think and hate to say it…but they are lacking in the mental aspect of the game. If…and IF they ever get that attitude and anger…watch out….
Matter of fact –
Avery Johnson would be a PERFECT replacement in Denver for a George Karl.
I have NOTHING against the man but this year he’s seem just way too content with how things are going. During the game against the Kings he flat out said that if they lose this game, then they still have a chance, when it would have been VERY bleak…..what coach you know speaks of losing with any type of golden lining??????
LOL — I should start the petition now….
Cevidence, I’m not even sure George Karl is bothering to coach them anymore. He looked like a corpse for most of the season and things haven’s changed. They definitely need a new coach, but I don’t know that it will solve their problems. Their roster certainly looks good on paper, but for whatever reason it’s not working.
too late Cevidence
http://www.firegeorgekarl.com/
LOL — I hadn’t seen that website…funny and sad at the same time.
As far as the roster. I do agree some changes need to be made however I would do ALL that is possible to keep AI, Melo, JR, Camby, Martin and Klieza together….I believe that can be built upon….
CEvidence, TSF family
How would Karl be seen if he coached the Knicks the past two years?
Sankofa — Not too sure what you mean. The Knicks are another team that looks good on paper…but something is just flat out wrong…but to the 100th power.
Ethier way…I’m not too sure what you mean…
I think Karl would be getting dogged the same way he is getting dogged in Denver if he was coaching the Knicks. The bigger the market they more you are over-analyzed and picked apart.
DavidMac understands the question, but I disagree with his answer.
“The bigger the market they more you are over-analyzed and picked apart.”
This is true…but not when you compare Isaiah to anybody else!
CEvidence mentioned the inadequate job Karl is doing for perhaps the most talented team on paper in the NBA. Yet few focus on his coaching gaffs. Being a Isaiah supporter (though my disappointment has plumbed to new depth with his accepting being treated like a dog) I wonder still if Karl’s lack of coaching ability right know is being picked over like Isaiah’s.
I think in Denver it is sankofa, but Denver isn’t as big of a media market so everyone is not going to notice it. I think I see what you are saying though, it is funny to me how Denver is a team of thugs who won’t listen to their coach (sort of true), but the Knicks are a team comprised of talented athletes who need a coach. I notice the spin of the situations.
DMac –
How is that Denver thugs comment – sort of true?
We all know about the AI incidents that he has been involved. Other than that you have the drunken driving incidents of both
Melo and JR Smith. How does that make the whole team thugs? Because they have tattoos?
And dont even dare try to claim that D. Williams was killed at K Mart’s party, cause clearly he was shot because of something that happened at a night club later that evening. No excuse, but nothing to do with K Mart.
Just because you see a team of black athletes don’t play into the media hype that they are a bunch of thugs…..