The Untradeable Mr. Iverson
Why Philly's Superstar Can't Get Any Brotherly Love
Allen Iverson is all but gone. One of basketball's historic experiments in solo superstardom is over, or so it seems. But if who will take him off Philly's hands is the question, what is The Answer? Fans, g.m.'s and sportswriters alike coming away scrathcing their heads. Can't a 30 ppg. scorer get any love?
Iverson is not the first NBA player burdened with carrying a team. Before him, players such as Wilt Chamberlain, Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Garnett played on clubs with middling supporting casts. For Chamberlain, things changed with trades, for Jordan, the Bulls improved the roster around him. 'Nique and KG never have collected any jewelry (though ironically, Garnett's T-Wolves are said to be in the AI Sweepstakes). But the problem is not Iverson's attitude, nor his past. No one has questioned his heart either. To be fair, with Shaquille O'Neal sidelined, Dwyane Wade's Heat aren't exactly sizzling either. What muddles the Iverson picture is stylistic. He is a 5'10" scorer in a league where, to be great, a guard must either be able to shut down the opposition's best scorer, or help role player teammates shine.
A half foot taller than Iverson, Kobe Bryant, and Jordan before him, not only scored the ball, they could shadow a Wade-type all night. A foot taller, Magic Johnson fed Michael Cooper and James Worthy on fast breaks, and Bob McAdoo and Byron Scott in half-court sets. Jason Kidd can grab eight or 10 rebounds. Steve Nash has found the Boris Diaw's and Raja Bell's of the world for open shots. John Stockton read and exploited defenses. Iverson is a threat with the ball, and little else. A brittle 31, even if matched with shooters, he does not posssess the type of vision and court awareness to feed them where they are most effective. His mentality is that of the scorer. Combined with a hefty contract, and the fact the Sixers want prime young talent in return, he is a tough man to swap. What g.m. in his right mind would sacrifice the future potential of a Sean May and Raymond Felton, an Al Jefferson and Gerald Green, or current talent such as J.R. Smith or Ben Gordon, to bring in a player who may not prove to be The Answer. As for Miami, why should they empty their bench to acquire a guard who needs the ball as much as Wade, and takes playoff scoring opportunities away from Shaq?
Ideally, Iverson would go to a team with a stellar big man. This would provide inside-outside scoring balance, and spread the opposing defenses. Think Bryant-O'Neal or Wade-O'Neal. Which brings us back to Minnesota. Which means Philly will want young Wolves such as Randy Foye. But if Foye is to develop into a star, why not keep him in the Twin Cities with Garnett? This is why trade talk is stagnating, and cooler heads are sighing, "Phew- the Sixers almost had me there." The ulitimate deal will be a three-way debacle which won't make sense to most fans, but will allow Philly cap room for the future. Draft picks will play a prominent role. Will Iverson bring his new team a crown? That's a big task for a small shooter.
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