NBA Off-season thread

I'll agree with you on Karl, but the Nuggets are a much better team with Billups then with Iverson and you are the only one I've heard who doesn't agree. I would also venture to say if they had kept Iverson they would have won less than the 50 they did the year before.

 

I'm not denying that they weren't better, I've said that, but they didn't instantly become better because Allen Iverson wasn't on their roster. I just think the guy gets way too much of a bad rap. Is he the ultimate team player? Hell no. But he's not as much villain as people think.

 

I have nothing against Iverson, but there are very few teams where he can actually be an asset. He has shown to not respect authority or teammates on a consistent basis. For example, going to the Clippers or Grizzlies would be a disaster in the waiting; just horrific. But I could see Miami potentially working because of Wade and Riley. Yes, a youngster is the coach, but best believe Riley runs the show, and I would atleast think Iverson would respect that and fall in line, like he did for Brown.

 

Although I admire Iverson's game, I recognize that it is not a good fit for many teams. I also wonder how much of it he has left. His body has taken some beating over the years, and he's getting hurt more and more.

 

Posted without comment.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post/Wizards-want-Marbury-;_ylt=An8T5ThL01RvVCvvvpYKriI5nYcB?urn=nba,177010

 

Brown's master strategy for handling Iverson essentially consisted of "let him do whatever he wants" (as later with Rasheed Wallace). I get a big hoot when Brown is referred to as some kind of iron-fisted master disciplinarian.

I think Iverson could possibly revive/salvage his career by following the lead of a pretty similar player from the early 1970s, Tiny Archibald -- he would have to go to a much better team, accept a much smaller role in the offense, be willing to play a support role to younger stars, subjugate his whole game with the idea of winning. Given his history, i don't think it's very likely to happen.

 

Brown had a deliberate style of play and emphasis that clearly conflicts with Iverson's assets as a player, and yet it worked out. He had his best years under Brown. Yes, Larry gave him freedom, but he also made Iverson a better team player who put at least a more concentrated commitment on defense.

 

http://blog.taragana.com/e/2009/07/17/former-nba-all-star-antoine-walker-arrested-in-las-vegas-casino-debt-case-17293/


And the genius of Antoine Walker is exposed again. Arrested for not paying gambling debts while in another casino. Smooth.

 

Pistons get Chris Wilcox for cheap. Good move for an athletic, young big.

Sean May may be headed to the Kings.

Marquis Daniels headed to Boston in another sound, quality pickup for the Celtics. They're having quite a summer.

 

Cavs sign Jamario Moon to an offer sheet. Danny Ferry is forcing Pat Riley to make a decision on one of his more athletic and versatile wing players.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2009/07/cavs_reportedly_sign_swingman.html

 

Moon is a former Globetrotter, right?

 

Yes. Kind of an odd signing, but he fits the system. Hopefully him and Parker can give teams some different looks on defense than West and Williams give. Those guys were formidable last year, but the Cavs got burned a few times by having smaller guards on the perimeter on defense.