AI for Battier, Alston and expiring contracts trade rumors

See this is what I love about clutchfans. The people here are so damn smart and can point out things that no one else would notice.

This just adds more fuel to the fire, I love how a rumor can be dissected into oblivion on this site until every possible angle has been covered.

 

17 pages and still no word from Clutch........something might be up

 

I see what you mean, but your scoring math doesn't quite work out that simply. You're saying Battier's 12 pts/game (which he hasn't hit since his rookie year) and rafer's 13 pts/game cancel out AI's 25 pts/game. The reality is AI is giving you 25 pts/game from one position. So, think of it as AI + Player X vs Rafer + Battier. A typical starter in the NBA will average 10 pts/game just from getting open looks and trips to the line.

Looks more like AI + X = 35 pts/game
Battier + Rafer = 25 pts/game

This isn't even getting into offensive efficiency. Think of all the teardrop's and floaters Rafer misses. When AI goes to the hoop, he goes hard. He's getting a bucket or free throws.

Iverson isn't going to do anything to hurt team chemistry. Team chemistry isn't as fragile as people make it out to be. He's one guy among a group of 10+ who get along just fine. And he plays with as much heart and toughness as anyone in the league. Teammates respect that kind of thing.

He's going to play as hard as anyone on the court, guaranteed. (In the games mind you....I ain't talkin' bout practice.....practice....practice)

You say we're a top 3 defensive team. I say we're a top 3 defensive team that hasn't been out of the first round in a long while. I know defense is important, but you really have to have balance to suceed. I'll sacrifice a couple spots defensively for a dramatic improvement on offense. This team needs it.

 

You are saying,he is worth firing if he does this and then you are saying you trust him. Make up your mind,you can't have it both ways.

 

Someone earlier in this thread said it best. It's hard playing with scrubs. Never underestimate what happens when great players play together, especially when they would both be sharing the backcourt together.

I have no idea if this "rumor" has any legs, but it makes for great discussion. It's completely conceivable from Denver's side as I don't see them getting anything better for Iverson than Battier.

To those questioning Iverson, you are mistaken. He's not selfish anymore and I believe he could be great running the point. I know it means very little, but look no further than his play in All-Star games when he is at the point. He really is a great playmaker/passer and just a natural "baller" - like I said, great players play great together.

To those saying he would not fit into Adelman's system, you are really underestimating Rick Adelman. He's one of the best offensive coaches in the league and can adjust to the hand he is dealt with - certainly to a unique talent like Iverson.

No disrespect to Shane, but he's replaceable. You can find 6'7 athletes in the D-league who can be molded to focus on defense. Those guys grow on trees and you can hide them offensively. They won't be as cerebral as Shane, but you have to give to get. More importlantly, having 4 offensive talents that can all pass, shoot, create, and have high basketball IQ in your lineup like Iverson, McGrady, Yao, and Scola gives you many options. The wing position is probably the most useless and easily replaceable in all of basketball, especially when the other wing is elite, and the other holes are filled.

This would be the ultimate low-risk, high reward. We have a 2 year window and I'm not holding my breath on some deadline miracle deal. Most importantly, watching Iverson, Yao, and McGrady together would be one hell of a ride to watch as a fan.

 

No.10 was Maarty's number in SL... Maybe they bonded

 

and he hasnt locked it up......

i bet if someone did this a few months ago, it would have gotten locked...

 

Wow!

If it goes down, WOW

Depending on whom we send, we won't be bereft of depth at the 2 position.

I'd assume AI would play PG - and, let's be frank, he's certainly a more efficient scorer at that position than Rafer Alston.

The Head/Barry combination could man the SG spot to some extent, and McGrady/Greene/Harris would be fine as a SF combination.

It all depends on the fillers - if it's expirings, then I'd expect Head/Jackson to be included? And losing Head (as poorly as he shoots in the playoffs) WOULD leave us with a significant gap in the lineup (unless we brought back Kleiza or something).

Jackson/Battier/Alston are a salary match aren't they?

 

Persian hooper never said it was a fact,stop blaming him. The Nuggets can get a lot more for AI than Battier and Rafer plus expiring contracts.

 

I am one of biggest believers that AI has broughten misfortune whereever he has gone (outside of 1 good year in phily).

BUT that being said:

-Tmac basically gets into his most comfortable role as a distributor
-AI plays every game and we have 2 CLUTCH shooters to go along with a 2nd guy that can takeover the game at will
-Yao can now play 28-31 min a game up till playoff time because we can play 2 superstars at a time without tiring out Yao
-Finally we get ANOTHER SUPERSTAR.

Baring this team can keep Landry (who we tried to start last year whenever we had the chance).

Yao
Scola
Landry
Tmac
AI

Tmac basically becomes a distributor and AI + Yao = #1 options at shooting, I don't like that TMAC is the 2, but Tmac/Landry/AI can interchangably change on defense (AI 1 or 2, TMAC 1, 2 or 3, Landry 2,3 (for defense purposes)

IF Landry doesn't start:

Yao
Scola
Tmac
Barry
AI

Still solid and AI can play 2 at times, and we can bring AB off the bench.

This trade instantly puts us as top 2-3 team in the NBA IMO.

 

2nd coming of Cuttino Mobley, book it.

 

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but AI would help us get into the bonus very quickly and that is only going to add to Yao's ppg if he gets to the line more. As I recall this was one of the reasons we wanted to get Maghette.

I always felt like the Rockets took forever to get into the penalty because the only ones that could draw fouls were T-Mac and Yao.

 

Sir Jackie Chiles brings up an interesting possibility with a sign and trade for another #5, Josh Smith. There have been rumors that an unnamed "Western contender" was in the mix for a sign and trade, along with Detroit. How would a package around Battier and Jackson and filler work with the cap in a likely sign and trade deal?

 

WHERE'S YOUR SOURCE?????? no link???? GRRRRRRRRRR! (kidding)

I'm so sick of the self appointed GARM police. They need to get over themselves.

 

Atlanta can get better offers than that. Battier is a valuable role player,the chances of getting a star or even a potential star for him as the main piece is very slim. Portland wasn't willing to give up more than Webster for him. His real value is not much more than that.

 

Looking at either of those starting lineups makes me drool...that's a nasty starting 5

 

Not sure, but certainly Atlanta can get more than that.

 

I can't believe this ,Morey can't be so stupid!

 

It'd work alright - but perhaps a 3-way is the 'unexpected delay'?

Iverson to us
Battier, Alston to Atlanta
J Smith, BJax to Denver

I dunno how this helps Atlanta though? But it makes it more likely on the Denver front (ie - they get under the luxury tax threshold and pick up Josh Smith).
I guess Atlanta pick up some depth? Perhaps they get pick(s) from us and Denver?

 

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