AI to Pistons for Billups and McDyees?

[westkoast]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931

Hmm...Seems like a good trade for Denver if they are looking for better defense and a natural point guard.

[jemagee]

I thought Denver was looking to save money?

[WayOutWest]

Wow, Billips?  He's the team leader?  What gives?

[jemagee]

Wow, Billips?  He's the team leader?  What gives?

No one would take Rasheed?  Dumars talked about a shake up after they got eliminated by the celtics last year, guess it took this long to make a deal...as for 'team leader' - he leads a team that falls flat (perception) in the playoffs every year maybe he needs to go?

Maybe detroit thinks they can clear cap space for 2010 and attract lebron?

Who knows

[WayOutWest]

Wow, Billips?  He's the team leader?  What gives?

No one would take Rasheed?  Dumars talked about a shake up after they got eliminated by the celtics last year, guess it took this long to make a deal...as for 'team leader' - he leads a team that falls flat (perception) in the playoffs every year maybe he needs to go?

Maybe detroit thinks they can clear cap space for 2010 and attract lebron?

Who knows

Who knows about their motivation but ask LeBron and Kobe if making the conference finals like 5 or 6 times in a row is "failure".....  They do need a change but I don't think Billups should be it.  I would rather give up Rip and Sheed but you're probably right that not too many teams are interested in Sheed.

[jemagee]

I don't know that there'd be that as much interest in rip and the pistons would expect back.

The 'failure' part - that's why i said perception - it's viewed that the pistons fail to achieve if they don't get to the title because they keep losing in the conference championships - rightly or wrongly it's viewed that 'something' has to happen for the team to take the next step (making the finals again)

I don't think there's anything wrong with the pistons in general except maybe getting older and this doesn't seem to help that

Plus - not for nothing - this was done with enough time that the pistons could move iverson again at the trade deadline...if they wanted

[westkoast]

Wow, Billips?  He's the team leader?  What gives?

That's what I was thinking.  He is the floor general and the bonafide leader.  I know he is getting up there in age but as far as mental toughness and leadership goes there are very few who have been as good as he has over the last 5-6 years IMO.

To me this is GREAT for the Nuggets.  They don't have a real strong leader or a (starting) true point guard.  Chauncey gives them both right away.

[Reality]

Billups has gotten very full of himself IMO and the last two years has been playoff below average.

Maybe he will experience rebirth in Denver.  I doubt it with Marshmello as the leader.

Agree perhaps Joe D is looking twoards 2009-10.

[jemagee]

You talk to chauncey billups much?

[Reality]

Not since the Spurs took him out in San Antone 2005.

[westkoast]

Not since the Spurs took him out in San Antone 2005.

What did he say to you in 2005?

[jemagee]

What did he say to you in 2005?

I'm the top, you're the bottom

[rickortreat]

AI's contract is up after the season, so the Pistons will be able to clear some cap space.  Also, Iverson will be open to a lesser deal and if he can still play effectively, could help the Pistons a lot.

Detroit always had a problem scoring a lot of points, having Iverson on the team helps address that!  Billups had come up small in the past several playoffs, and this was probably the best opportunity that Dumars saw.

[westkoast]

AI's contract is up after the season, so the Pistons will be able to clear some cap space.  Also, Iverson will be open to a lesser deal and if he can still play effectively, could help the Pistons a lot.

Detroit always had a problem scoring a lot of points, having Iverson on the team helps address that!  Billups had come up small in the past several playoffs, and this was probably the best opportunity that Dumars saw.

At the same time Allen Iverson has to play with the ball in his hand a lot.  While he is very good at making plays it is more drive and score or drive and kick.  That doesn't really help Rip Hamilton.  His mid range jumper off the screen has been one of their bread and butter plays since they won the championship.