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After Denver: Allen Iverson ?The Answer? For Detroit And San Antonio?
Oly Sandor
Hoopsvibe.com
There is no chance Allen Iverson stays in Denver. If the Nuggets struggle, he gets traded for prospects/cap relief. If the Nuggets are competitive, he still could get traded because his contract expires in July. If the Nuggets keep him for the year, he leaves as an unrestricted free agent come summer.
One thing is certain: ownership won?t extend Iverson. The club is losing money and George?s Karl?s offensive experiment has failed, which means a rebuilding project is approaching. Expensive veterans, even talented ones, won?t work long-term.
The superstar understands the situation. The winds of change are about to blow in Colorado. His bags are likely packed; the realtor?s ?For Sale sign is ready.
Any mid-season trade is temporary. Iverson, as an unrestricted free agent in July of 2009, can pick between suitors. Will he sign with a mediocre team for big money and first-option status? Or will he sign with a contender for less money and less shots?
Hopefully, Iverson chooses the latter. The tiny guard should offer to be the top reserve on an established squad. The critics, the ones who claimed he wouldn?t sacrifice or play within a team concept, would be silenced.
Detroit and San Antonio would be perfect for a slightly toned down version of ?The Answer?. Both should look at signing him next summer.
The Pistons have gambled on temperamental stars before. In February 2004, they took a risk acquiring Rasheed Wallace and a few months later were rewarded with an NBA Title. ?Sheed? was the missing ingredient and the post?s behaviour has improved in Detroit.
Joe Dumars must consider the All-Star scorer. This summer, the Pistons? head suit talked publicly about changing his club and Iverson would provide a Wallace-like jolt. The problem is Rodney Stuckey. A superstar sixth-man would hinder the prospect?s development. Stuckey, like all budding youngsters, needs minutes.
Go big or go home. That?s the Texas way. The Spurs should follow the state mantra and upgrade their core with the Georgetown alum. Iverson would make a great second-unit game-changer; his presence would push Manu Ginobili into the starting five.
San Antonio needs the tweak. The west has gotten better. Houston traded for Ron Artest, New Orleans signed James Posey, and the Los Angeles Lakers are expecting the Andrew Bynum-Pau Gasol combo to deliver. The black-and-silver could counter these moves by going fast in the backcourt with Iverson and Tony Parker (talk about a deadly combo off the dribble).
Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the Spurs would mesh with Iverson. The franchise?s four championships demand respect, while A.I. has been a model citizen with the Nuggets. Finally, ?Pop? is close with Iverson?s former coach Larry Brown, so he would do his research before making any commitment.
Like it or not, Iverson?s run in Denver is winding down. What happens next impacts his legacy. Hopefully, he joins a contender and we can again watch him in June.
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