Rufus on Fire: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: College Football Preseason Top 25 Rankings

The Iverson Thing Won't Go Away

Hi. My name is David. I'm a Bobcats fan. And I really don't want my team to sign Allen Iverson, thinking they're making a run at the playoffs with him on board. Don't get me wrong, I think there's considerable appeal to pulling him off the trash heap, and the Cats are, potentially, an excellent fit for him, but that doesn't mean he's the best fit for us.

Here's the upside, best-case scenario: Iverson comes on board. With a glut of guards, Charlotte trades Raymond Felton in late December for whatever they can get. AI is the unquestioned starter at the nominal point guard spot, and often brings the ball up the floor, but Stephen Jackson, Flip Murray, and Boris Diaw also share creator/facilitator responsibilities, and D.J. Augustin plays a more true PG spot off the bench. It's a position-less paradigm... and amazingly, it works.

With true scorers in the back court at all times, Diaw and Wallace providing just enough post presence to keep teams honest, Wallace and Tyson Chandler cleaning up boards, and all five guys providing ball-hawking defense, that's the kind of team that can make noise in the playoffs without a true superstar. The defense stays elite, but Iverson's offensive potential, as much as his individual production, opens up the floor for everyone else and pushes the Cats' offensive production firmly into the middle of the league.

Play an unconventional style, play a tight rotation, and don't skip any beats when the reserves play. There's your formula.

Star-divide

Of course, that's the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario? Iverson and Jackson get openly frustrated that the team isn't better than it is and that they have to share minutes with guys like Felton and Augustin, let alone Gerald Henderson. That, in turn, poisons the well and starts some infighting that spills out onto the floor. AI and Jackson start gunning. Flip starts gunning. Felton reverts to Bad Felton and starts gunning. The individuals on the team aren't good enough to create successful offense by shooting and shooting alone. They start losing interest in defense when the team stumbles, choosing, instead, to try to create more offense. Thirty wins looks out of reach. Iverson threatens to retire again, and the Cats make up an injury in order to bench him and give minutes to Augustin.

The most likely scenario should they sign Iverson is something in between those two extremes. He probably won't be as helpful to the team as Good Felton, but he wouldn't be as detrimental as Bad Felton. It would be intriguing to see how the team balanced offensive responsibilities without a true point guard in the first unit, but that doesn't mean it would be more productive. Remember, Iverson's never been the most efficient offensive player, and this is the twilight of his career.

Ultimately, I'm guessing it would be a lateral move, but the team would instantly become the most fascinating in the league, given that they'd be starting four onetime castoffs/reclamations in Wallace, Jackson, Diaw, and Iverson. But if it's a lateral move, there's no point to it, and it only serves to marginalize younger players who should be getting NBA minutes.

===

Also, Alexis Ajinca was sent to the D-League. Free Freedom Fries?

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

I was for signing AI in the summer

But not anymore. I wouldn’t totally agree with signing him at this point especially considering he wouldn’t start. In the summer and in the first week of the season or so Raymond was inconsistent. Now he is playing much better and much safer so signing Iverson would just interfere with his play.

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is.

by WhatAboutBob_cats on Nov 30, 2009 12:11 PM EST reply actions  

I have to agree

Before we signed Flip and traded for Jax, I thought that AI would be a worthy risk. Now the back court seems to be the strength of the team. There’s no place for AI.

We could trade Felton for a decent PF (anyone have a scenario for a team looking to get rid of a PF?) to make room for AI, but the more time that passes w/ D.J. playing the way he is, the less I like the idea of trading Felton. Iverson can’t be more than a 1 or 2 year rental.

by and1droid on Nov 30, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions  

There’s no “I” in team, but there’s a great big one in Iverson.

by jj24 on Nov 30, 2009 12:49 PM EST reply actions  

For whatever reason in NBA Live I can trade Felton for Beasley. I suggest we do this.

Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute

by mjschaefer on Nov 30, 2009 12:50 PM EST reply actions   1 recs

In 2K9, I traded Felton to the Lakers in a package involving Bynum, and Ray turned into a perennial All Star. It’s a little weird that both games rate him that highly.

by David A. Arnott on Nov 30, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions  

People love his stats...

Because they ignore the fact that he damn near leads the league in minutes almost every year.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 1:35 AM EST up reply actions  

I don't get it...

Every article I read, Brown states that AI has plenty of game left in the tank, and there is no room in Charlotte for him. At least LB is saying there is no room for him…and is not saying point blank that he would like to have him…unless I missed that article.

by andrewlail76 on Nov 30, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions  

not happening

This is not happening…AI met with the sixers today, so if he goes ANYWHERE, it’s Philly. This team has found it’s groove…and I know that could turn around very quickly, but I can’t imagine them considering signing him at this point. Let’s face it, JAX has made this team so much better and it shows….on to the playoffs!!

by jpence5122 on Nov 30, 2009 4:08 PM EST reply actions  

Ouch.

Brian Scalabrine? The Celtics’ mascot?

by L'O on Nov 30, 2009 5:38 PM EST reply actions  

Aren't those the same people?

Lemonade was a popular drink and it still is.

by WhatAboutBob_cats on Nov 30, 2009 6:26 PM EST up reply actions  

i would love to sign him if it means dumping Felton

Gerald Wallace is the best player the Bobcats will have..... EVER

by raysfan81 on Nov 30, 2009 8:59 PM EST reply actions  

I too wanted AI during the summer, but now,

no way. I was willing to take the chance during the summer, just to see if it worked out. He definitely would have brought us publicity, and probably sold a good amount of merchandise too.

But after the Memphis fiasco….I mean, please. You almost have to be brave or stupid to bring AI to your team after what just happened in Memphis (that or be really, really desperate, Nets anyone?). Personally, I think he still has a few years left of good basketball, but honestly, if he just can’t understand the simple concept of what a TEAM is and how TEAM functions, then I never would want him on any team of mine, weather I’m coach, fan or whatever. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him, at his age, and after all his accomplishments, to contribute from the bench and serve as a team leader, but of course, he doesn’t know what that even entails, nor does he want to.

Adapt. I think it was one of the Yahoo! Sports columnists that probably said it best. AI has not been willing to adapt to changing times or needs.

I’m really liking the way our team is playing now. Yes, a tweak or two can happen, but I don’t think AI would be the right tweak.

by Roger, Roger on Nov 30, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions  

ESPN, but yeah, I think that article pretty much nailed it.

And hey, I think the Sixers might have it right, simply refusing to guarantee him any money so they can walk away any time.

Remember when the Panthers had a good offensive line? Yeah, me too.
--Darin Gantt

by MichaelProcton on Dec 2, 2009 1:38 AM EST up reply actions  

wrong guy

If they’re going to sign a small guard, Muggsy Bogues is the guy to get. Have you seen him in that ad? He can still shoot over the tall trees, no problem.

by bugjackblue on Nov 30, 2009 9:47 PM EST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about the Charlotte Bobcats.
Start posting about the Bobcats »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

SBNation.com Recent Stories

NEW YORK CITY NY - AUGUST 12:  Kevin Durant #5 looks on during the World Basketball Festival USAB Showcase at Radio City Music Hall on August 12 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for Nike) +4 updates

FIBA World Championships 2010: Team USA Routs Iran 88-51, Clinches Top Spot In Group B

Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West, right, shoot over Indiana Pacers' Jeff Foster in the first half of a NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, April 13, 2009.  (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) link

Celtics Sign Free Agent Delonte West

Rose +2 updates

FIBA World Championships 2010: Team USA Ekes Out 70-68 Win Over Brazil

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

2285436864_6a38df6622_m_small David A. Arnott