Well, that's one way to make up for not having Carmelo Anthony's NBA-leading scoring average for the next 14 games: Trade for a 30-plus ppg scorer.
Did the Sixers get back 50 cents on the dollar for AI? Eh...maybe. I like Andre Miller, even though he's not particularly flashy. But at least he's a classic PG. Joe Smith? Not so much. The real wild card are those two first-round picks in 2007 in an insanely deep draft*; that's what a rebuilding team needs -- and, finally, the Sixers can claim to "officially" be in rebuilding mode.**
As for the Nuggets: Sure they get AI, but I'm not convinced that he'll coexist gracefully with Carmelo, who had just shown he was coming into his own as an elite scorer before the sucker punch last weekend. Two 30-ppg scorers on one team? Something's gotta give... or is that some ONE. And whoever that is won't be happy.
(Meanwhile, let me call it right now that the powder-blue Iverson Nuggets jersey will lead the NBA in sales for the rest of the season.)
Your comments/analysis on the trade?
* - Hmm...how 'bout Texas SF Kevin Durant, UNC PF Tyler Hansbrough and Alabama PG Ronald Steele as Sixers draftees?
** - That beats the nebulous twilight zone of "not-quite-contender, not-quite-Lottery" of the teams with the single aging superstars.
-- D.S.
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24 comments:
I think the nuggets get a steal in this trade but it does put them in Salary Cap hell for a few years. They better be able to win with what they've got. I think 'Melo's scoring will drop and so will Iverson's. I don't think there will be any problem with them co-existing. Iverson has always been a good teammate, and plays his heart out. He can be on my team anyday.
When the suspensions end the Nuggets will have these guys:
PG: Allen Iverson
SG: J.R. Smith
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Nene "no longer" Hilario
C: Marcus Camby
G: Earl Boykins
F: Eduardo Najera
I don't know about you, but that looks pretty good to me.
While I think AI would've been better suited with a superstar who doesn't dominate the ball as much (Brand, KG), this can only help the Nuggets. If we've learned anything from watching AI over the years, we can expect him to be un-frickin-believable the rest of the season.
Here's the big question: Does he still play for the Eastern All Stars if voted a starter?
How about Greg Oden (with their own 1st round pick), Dominic James (Nuggets pick) and Corey Brewer (Mavs pick)? Size, athleticism and a few other of Jay Bilas' favorite draft day words.
I'm surprised no one else has brought this up: is there anything stopping Denver from trading AI after they get Carmelo back?
or trade carmelo?
Keith, obviously you don't know too much about the 2007 draft class. It's supposed one of the best drafts in a while because of them stopping high school seniors from entering. As for Hansborough, there is a good chance that he will be there with that 2nd pick which should be in the early 20's. This class is deep. Oden, Horford, Noah, McRoberts, Splitter, Wright, Arthur, Durant are all bigs who will probably be selected before you here Hansboroughs name.
I really think it's a great trade for both. You land AI, one of the best players in the league if you are the Nuggets and instantly boost your cred in the West. But I really think the 76ers got a lot for Iverson. People we talking about them getting 50 cents on the dollar or whatever, but two number 1 picks plus an above average point guard. Great trade all the way around.
Iverson won't get along with Karl? I think this might actually be a perfect fit. If I remember correctly, Karl's time with Gary Payton turned out OK. But I forgot, Payton's not a thug because he isn't known for having tattoos and trying to rap. He (Payton) did almost get in a shooting match (literally) with Nate McMillan in the Sonics locker room once, but Iverson's the devil. How's that work? Bubba Chuck and Melo is going to work out just fine.
They're a better team for it, but they may not be a better franchise, re: salary cap, for it.
It was never brought up, but I think AI would've fit nicely in Orlando with Howard. Having Iverson there would've allowed Howard to develop some low post moves while he cleaned up all of AI's misses or collected a ton of dump offs for easy in the paint points. And I guess the Magic could've sent Grant Hill and some other things back to the Sixers. Just some random thoughts.
I really think this could have worked... had Melo not gotten suspended. But now that AI will have 13 or 14 games to establish himself as the #1 guy on the team, what the hell will happen when Melo comes back? Mark your calendars--that will be a fun day.
The suspension may actually benefit the transition - Karl will have AI and 'Melo for a month in practice to figure out how to play together. Then he can unleash them on the rest of the league. Look for a late-winter spurt from the Nuggets.
I actually think that the Sixers did really well with this. They will get three good young players next year, or they could package a couple of the picks to move up. And if, by some miracle, they land Oden, they will look like geniuses. Plus they now have a true point guard to run the show. In the pitiful East, depending on who they pick up, they may actually be able to get into the playoffs next year.
The suspension may actually benefit the transition - Karl will have AI and 'Melo for a month in practice to figure out how to play together. Then he can unleash them on the rest of the league. Look for a late-winter spurt from the Nuggets.
I actually think that the Sixers did really well with this. They will get three good young players next year, or they could package a couple of the picks to move up. And if, by some miracle, they land Oden, they will look like geniuses. Plus they now have a true point guard to run the show. In the pitiful East, depending on who they pick up, they may actually be able to get into the playoffs next year.
The suspension may actually benefit the transition - Karl will have AI and 'Melo for a month in practice to figure out how to play together. Then he can unleash them on the rest of the league. Look for a late-winter spurt from the Nuggets.
I actually think that the Sixers did really well with this. They will get three good young players next year, or they could package a couple of the picks to move up. And if, by some miracle, they land Oden, they will look like geniuses. Plus they now have a true point guard to run the show. In the pitiful East, depending on who they pick up, they may actually be able to get into the playoffs next year.
The suspension may actually benefit the transition - Karl will have AI and 'Melo for a month in practice to figure out how to play together. Then he can unleash them on the rest of the league. Look for a late-winter spurt from the Nuggets.
I actually think that the Sixers did really well with this. They will get three good young players next year, or they could package a couple of the picks to move up. And if, by some miracle, they land Oden, they will look like geniuses. Plus they now have a true point guard to run the show. In the pitiful East, depending on who they pick up, they may actually be able to get into the playoffs next year.
The suspension may actually benefit the transition - Karl will have AI and 'Melo for a month in practice to figure out how to play together. Then he can unleash them on the rest of the league. Look for a late-winter spurt from the Nuggets.
I actually think that the Sixers did really well with this. They will get three good young players next year, or they could package a couple of the picks to move up. And if, by some miracle, they land Oden, they will look like geniuses. Plus they now have a true point guard to run the show. In the pitiful East, depending on who they pick up, they may actually be able to get into the playoffs next year.
I think The Rover likes this trade
Don't be shocked if the sixers are able to package those three picks for a much higher pick in the draft (if they don't win the lottery anyway)
Do the sixers have any more tradable expiring contracts they could potentially make another move with these pieces for a big name guy. Send two picks a young stud and an expiring contract for a superstar to replace iverson...it could happen, but probably won't
chrth I think there is a rule that you can trade aplayer again during the season but he has to be with the team for a certain amount of time.
Yesterday I was trying to find the studs and Dus of the year on my blog. Today I am trying to identify who the Player and Team of the Year where.
Check out my blog and let me know your thoughts for both.
http://cmfost.blogspot.com/
I think the Nuggets actually panicked here and made a bad trade. Philly on the other hand I think got a great deal and benefited from the brawl. The Nuggets had to make the trade because they are sitting in 7th place of the stronger conference, so they overspent in this case.
Don't forget, Philly doesn't actually have to use those 2 first round picks. They can easily trade one of them to several teams, perhaps one that has had no first round picks in the past... such as Minnesota who may be looking to get someone to go with KG if they keep him.
Michael Redd was a 2nd round wasted pick.
I really hope Oden stays 2 years at Ohio State...just to see how GMs freak out.
I really hope Oden stays 2 years at Ohio State...just to see how GMs freak out.
Can you imagine? The only negative is that it hurts the whole "Knicks get the first pick and gives it to the Bulls sucks to be Isiah" scenario.
King doesn't come off as bad as I thought. Cap space, two extra first round picks (they might lose their other pick if their record is good) and Andre Miller.
Most importantly, he traded AI to the Western Conference where his success will be less embarassing. Denver clearly increased their package deal when Melo was suspended. And Philly gets a fresh start. It just wasn't working, and I blame King, but for King's part, he finally started over.
I don't think a summer trade works as well because AI wasn't desperate to leave and other teams weren't desperate enough to improve.
I'm just wondering how AI does outside of Philly. It's been a long time, on a personal level, since he was outside that...um... septic tank is the only word that seems to fit.
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