AI for Battier, Alston and expiring contracts trade rumors

(decided to post this here - it was in the trade sticky)

I can't imagine that this deal would go down, but it would be a gas watching AI play with Tracy and Yao. You instantly put enormous pressure on an opposing team's defense. Sure, AI isn't your typical PG by a long shot and isn't known for his defense (which is not terrible and is sometimes pretty damn good, depending on the matchup), but the opponent's 1 would go nuts trying to stay with him on D. Mac gets more open looks and easy baskets, as does Yao.

Might have to trade for a long defensive wing, though, and who else is going to play point? You'd have to have more than AI and Brooks, which would probably set some record for smallest point guards on an NBA team.


edit: wanted to add that this is just the kind of player move Les likes... huge publicity for the team and BIG bump in season ticket sales. Apt to happen? NO!

 

it is funny you mention that...

I just had a coworker call their bff who is a ticket rep at Toyota Center regarding the rumor...their first reaction was to ask where I heard the rumor, never giving a positive or negative response...

 

Or 3 people who are making **** up.

 

Can anyone here present one good reason that this rumored trade would benefit Denver?

Saving a couple million this season doesn't sound signficant, especially considering they would be adding Alston's and Battier's contracts.

I don't think the Nuggets could possibly covet Battier that much either since Melo is a SF. Battier can play PF but he is best suited to play SF. This means Battier would come off the bench.

The details of this rumor make little sense to me.

 

Maybe Clutch is keeping his lips closed because he also doesn't want to get in trouble. And since this is a pretty well-known site and all.....

Also doesn't Clutch has some special privileges, like going to press conferences and training camp? Maybe that would be in jeopardy is he talks about it.

 

They have a true franchise player,a true HOF,a guy who can be considered as the best PF of all time. Yao and Tracy are not those types of guys.Duncan in fact is a PF/Center. The Spurs drafting was extraordinary.Parker and Ginobili are terrific players. We have Rafer. Battier's overall skill level isn't much better than Bruce Bowen.

This may never pan out but it's better than waiting for some big to happen over several years IMO. Many franchises remain stuck for years. I do appreciate your comments but I'm looking at it from a different point of view.

We did take a risk by taking EG for 3 draft picks,this isn't a young rookie we are talking about. AI is not a perfect addition to our ball club,he will come with risks,but he can take a lot of pressure off from Tracy and Yao even with his low percentage shots because he can get to the line at will. Defensively we will have to work harder as a team but I don't think we can afford to wait for a chance to come along which may not materialize for a long time.

 

If the two organizations are really in serious talks about the AI to Houston deal, I'd hope that we could get recently-acquired Renaldo Balkman, a nice athletic defensive 3.

With AI and Tmac on the same team, I'd like AI to be the primary distributor and let McGrady play off the ball a lot more for some easy looks.

 

If AI is a headcase, Alston is a head case. You don't have to worry about AI going into the stands and picking a fight with a fan of another team a la Artest. With guys like AI, if your team is crap thats when the stuff hits the fan. I don't know about ball hog. He's a shoot first PG, he's going to have the ball a lot. Like I said earlier, teams could just front Yao and as long as they kept Tmac out of the lane the game was over. Thats how you stop Houston. Add AI to the mix and you can't do that because now you have to worry about two guys that can get to the basket at will.

 

true or not, this is a good rumor to hear.

AI + Yao? interesting.

 

True, but maybe this is what they are doing to show Melo that the team is truly his. Not saying it should be but by trading away AI the Nuggets would be sending a message to Melo. Also, Rafer is an upgrade over any other PG they have other than Iverson, and what team can't use a defense stopper like shane?

 

Folks wanna talk about how he's a ballhog, yet his assist numbers are outstanding for a career where he's basically been the #1 scoring option as well.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/allen_iverson/career_stats.html

 

i definitely see where denver would want to make a move like this.... their notion of "all offensive all the time" got them nowhere last year. add a top-notch defender, a solid distrubutor, and filler (and get AI off the books)... i see the benefit.

basically, denver doesn't need anymore stars/scorers... they need solid role players who are willing to bring some defensive tenacity. and that's what they'd be getting.

 

I'm all for the deal suggested in the rumor. I was just trying to be objective about Iverson's attitude and need for the basketball.

The truth is I just can't find a single reason why Denver would make this trade.

 

Why do we keep this pessimistic attitude that Utah is unquestionably superior? Last year, Head played worse than garbage. Landry, T-Mac, and Battier were dinged up. Rafer was out half the time. Oh, and a certain all-star center was missing as well.

The year before the bench consisted primarily of Howard and Head - and they couldn't hit the side of a barn in the playoffs. And still they almost won that series.

Now the bench will consist of Barry, one of Scolandry, a hopefully more seasoned Brooks, and possibly someone else can be grabbed at the deadline for the expirings.

 

Since when does the merit of one poster on another board, get so much attention. You guys are playing into his deception. I would like a source of credibility.

 

I would LOVE it if we could actually do this without losing Battier...

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Houston Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg.
Incoming Players
Allen Iverson
6-0 SG from Georgetown
No games yet played in 2007/08
Outgoing Players
Steve Novak
6-9 PF from Marquette
No games yet played in 2007/08
Chuck Hayes
6-6 SF / PF from Kentucky
No games yet played in 2007/08
Luther Head
6-3 PG / SG from Illinois
No games yet played in 2007/08
Steve Francis
6-3 PG / SG from Maryland
No games yet played in 2007/08
Rafer Alston
6-2 PG from Frenso State
No games yet played in 2007/08
Bobby Jackson
6-1 PG from Minnesota
No games yet played in 2007/08


...plus a first-round pick and cash...

 

run along, junior.

 

AI off the books? That's happening at the end of next season anyway.

Where would Battier play? Melo is their starting SF. Does Shane come off the bench? I wouldn't call Battier a solid distributor, either. At least, he doesn't turn the ball over much.

 

The problem with that is I doubt Denver wants 3-4 pgs. But I second your feelings. I would love to keep Shane and add AI, but do not see it happening.

 

So what if they trade turns out to be Steve Novak for Miami 2nd rounder.