That would be a good fit. He definitely can run and shoot the ball. H ecan pass too. Let's see. We can gt rid of Luther and BJax.
I'd rather wait and see what Francis has got. If he comes back strong we don't need AI and we got a similar type player for really cheap. I'd rather save the money for something we really do need. A pass first guard or a hard nosed scoring/defending SF.
I watched some of those Nuggets Lakers game and that team is pathetic. I can't tell you how many time I saw AI dribble the ball around 15 seconds no exageration and then put up some bs jumpshot. The guy is a ball hog and would hurt this whole team, the development of Scola and Landry would stop, Yao would not benifit from AI either. Look at how well Philly did this year as compared to last year 06-07 and the year before 05-06 when AI was there. Look at all the talent the Nuggets have, I mean at the start of the year some people were calling the Nuggets to win it all and they almost missed the playoffs. Ill pass on AI.
The Nuggets scored plenty to win the games against the Lakers. They had one bad offensive game where they scored 84, otherwise were over 100 every game. Whether AI was pulling a old school Francis or a this year Bobby Jackson doing the dribble dribble dribble fest, or not, they were good enough offensively (because if there's players in the league you want to be stuck in that situation, he's one of them). The Nuggets problem isn't Allen Iverson. Or Carmelo Anthony, or anyone else on that team. It's an organization that gave gobs and gobs of money to Kenyon Martin and Nene, and then hired George Karl. And I think George Karl can be a good coach. But for some reason he decided that it would be a good idea for that team to try and outrun everybody and play no defense. Which makes no sense. When you have a strong interior shot blocker like Camby, a quick guard who can get posted, but also has been one of the most consistent pocket pickers over the last 10 decades and a player of Melo's size, athleticism and bulk who can be taught to play defense, then they are obviously offensively capable, why try and run run run? George Karl needs to be fired. As for Iverson, he could be a good fit under a new regime in Denver, or maybe not. What is clear is that despite getting older, he just had his best season in a long long time. His FG% (long the biggest knock on his game) was the second best its been in his career (and higher than TMac's), he had a career low in turnovers per game, another solid assist season, is a great FT shooter (and heck, we would have beat Utah if we just shot our FT's better), and, despite a few years here or there where he's had some injuries, he is an ironman when he's out there. If you don't think a 3 person attack works, or for that matter, is required, to be a successful team in the NBA, you're not watching the game. Spurs - Duncan, Parker, Manu Hornets - Paul, West, Stojakovich Lakers - Kobe, Gasol, Odom Jazz - Williams, Boozer, Okur/AK47 Celtics - KG, Allen, Pierce Pistons - Billups, Hamilton, Prince, Sheed Magic - Howard, Lewis, Turkoglu There are only two conclusions. First, you need to have at least 3 way above average (all-stars or all-star light type) players to be successful - and one or more of those players has to be truly dominant. Second, often overlooked in my opinion, is that Lebron is a freaking beast. He singlehandedly carried his team to a Finals (granted in a weak conference) and was robbed of last year's MVP, imo. How this relates to the Rockets? Well, normally, they have T-Mac, Yao. This year the were down to T-Mac.......Scola, with Scola just barely counting. There's a reason why the team played so so much better when Rafer was healthy and playing at least average, mistake free ball. Because as good as Battier is, he's a liability for the team overall. As exciting as Landry was, he's too young, too inconsistent. Bonzi/Bobby...c'mon. Deke - great stand-in, but still. The Rockets have built their team by acquiring the role players you need to go with that 3 "star" system, but forgot to get the third star. Trading for Allen Iverson would be an absolute and complete no brainer. Even if he continued on his current contract, a trade of: Iverson for Bobby, Battier, Francis, Head, draft pick(s) filler works. Denver would probably be crazy for doing this....BUT, there are some advantages. Again, that team scores enough. Battier becomes to Melo what he was for T-Mac here...the guy who can guard the other teams' Kobe's or Lebrons. Bobby, Francis and Head would all be on the last year of their contracts, and as has been mentioned the Nuggets desperately need that cap space (though I guess Iverson is on his last year, too, but as one big contract he is a little more difficult to move, say at the trading deadline than the individual pieces might be). And if you threw in enough draft picks, it could work. Though, from the Rockets perspective, I wouldn't go overboard on it. So yes, Iverson's old. Yes, sometimes he can dominate the ball. Yes, he's historically been a low FG%, high turnover guy. But he is also REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY good. He can get to the hole. He's an awesome passer. He shoots FT's like a dominant scoring NBA player should - over 80%. He tenacious and hustles all out, all the time. He plays the game at a speed we wish Tracy would. You lose Shane Battier, who would be a great fit on that team, but who cares. Find your Battier-light, James Posey esque player somewhere else and move on. Alston, Iverson, T-Mac, Scola, Yao would be a great five man unit. Landry, Brooks, Deke (if he wants) and find a backup 2 and 3 on the market.
i would love to have AI if hes willing to take a paycut. it is possible because he does not have to give away his 22millions. say he gets 10 million from rockets, imagine what kind of shoe deals he gets from China, and i m pretty sure he will be making millions by appearing in some commercials in China.
I would much rather have Steve Francis take SG or PG position over AI. 1. AI is too expensive. 2. AI fits the role of scorer more than facilitator. 3. Stevie is already on the team.
I'm not intrigued by the AI idea nor am I buying the argument that having Francis makes it a moot point of getting AI. I'm not a fan of either's style of basketball to fit with TMac and Yao's. But I guess since we haven't been successful with what we've doing in the past years, ridiculous ideas suddenly become sane. ...let's do a sign and trade for Arenas for one of our superstar duo and really have a killer backcourt of AI and Arenas.
