Yep. That's University Blue's, Gene Peterson's and my opinion too. It's the next step before the last option: trade.
I can't believe a thread based upon Allen Iverson becoming a Rocket generates 3 pages of posts. Gentlemen...we're talking Allen "It's about practice" Iverson, here. It's the guy that couldn't get along with Larry Brown....a disciplinarian but a reknowned players' coach. It's a guy who makes over $5m per year more than Francis. It's a player who will be 34 and making $21.9m when his current contract ends in 2009!!!!! It's a guy who gets steals playing the passing lanes...which Van Gundy doesn't do...VG soft traps the dribbler and sends them baseline. Iverson has shot less than 30% from the arc in 5 of his 8 NBA seasons. I've had the argument before...Iverson is a ball hog. Don't give me that "he's the only offense Philly has" crap. His shots per minute and assists per minute are almost identical between the Sixers and the NBA stars on the US National (Olympic) team this summer in Puerto Rico. I can't believe this is even discussed. Not just "No" but "HE** NO".
AI's turnovers is probably due to double team more than anything. But Steve's turnover are unforced though.
Iverson also has the ability to get to the free throw line. Giving him another major up on Franchise. He averages nearly 150 more free throws than Francis each year. The advantages for the whole team when a player can get to the free throw line are emormous... from conserving energy to keeping the stars from the other team off the floor. I'm not even an Iverson fan, but his scoring ability translates into wins.
Iverson definitely has accomplished more than Steve so far. But I would say this, when Allen is at his best, he's scoring over forty points. When Steve is at his best he gets a tripple double. The way I look at, when steve gets a triple double the rockets are almost undefeated, I haven't looked up the stats. When Allen is at his best the Sixers aren't as guaranteed a win as the Rockets are when Steve gets a triple double. However, Allen probably has lot more games over forty than Steve has tripple doubles.
Who is this big PG everyone talks about? Could we name some names and not project a future with imaginary players. The only big PG is Crawford and he's 6' 5" and a ball hog. Eric Snow is the exact same size as Francis. Somebody please name a guy who is at least 6' 5" and can actually run the point, I'm begging you.
Snow is a thick/strong PG. He's not light and wiry like Iverson. So, although not real tall, they complement each other at the 1 and 2. Marko Jaric is a 6'7" PG. Young 2nd year player. Not sure about getting him though. Kirk Hinrich is 6'3" was an idea. But that was a trade for Francis with Mobley at the 2. Brent Barry is a big PG 6'6" PG.
Brent Barry is also great shooter which helps spread the floor in the half court offense. Every great team needs one guy who can shoot the lights out. Spurs had it with Kerr. Lakers did not have one during their recent championship wins, but talents of Shaq and Kobe overwhelmed the competition. Kings have Peja and a slew of other very good jump shooters. Mavs have Nowitzki along with other very good jumpshooters. Rockets have a couple of good jumpshooters. Piatkowski was supposed to be the great shooter, but he sucks bigtime this year. Rockets should get Brent Barry.
Thank you. If we did something like this, I may as well launch myself into the TV screen, do myself in and get it over with. The team already drives me crazy half the time. If we did this trade there would be no sanity left at all... jump a babbling madman. Why on earth would this be an option?? I haven't seen one good reason yet. Let the Daily News sell papers to New Yorkers. We don't have to buy them.
Have any one noticed that this trade could be real? The article's first paragraph was spot-on! Personally, I do not want to see SF traded.
You know it really shows some ignorance when people want a player who averages almost one more turnover while averaging less than 1 more assist, takes more shots, and has a lower field goal percentage. Stevie averages only 14.6 feild goal attempts per game while most, "superstar players", average closer to 20, including your beloved Allen Iverson who averages 24.2 attempts per game. I always here some of you whining about so-called intangibles while you don't really know what they are. Said statistics above prove it, it's not to say everyone doesn't know but some of you really contradict yourselves. It's unfortunate if Francis is traded, some of you will live to eat what you say if you see him thrive in a different situation.
no question. if philly would trade straight up, trade francis for iverson. you can see the difference in their passing abilities on display during the all-star game
I would never do this trade, first off AI averages more turnovers than Steve,is more injury prone and he is a streaky shooter who needs 20+ attempts to get 25 or 27 points.
JVG declined, d-e-c-l-i-n-e-d, overtures from Philly because, b-e-c-a-u-s-e, of Iverson. Iverson is great, would make the Toy Shop hop, and will not occur with this coach. AI will also be retired 'young', or a shell of himself, before Stevie signs his next contract -- for even more money!
