"We DO/DON'T Want Allen Iverson" Thread (merged)

[Yogi]

   A shortened season with a lot of new faces means no mistakes allowed.  We just don't have the luxury of experimenting on Iverson.  We have our rotation set.  West and JO are injury prone, we also need to avoid what happened with Paul Pierce and Marquis last year so we need a swing man, and a big man.  I would like to see Josh Howard and FA Big (Pryzbilla, Kurt Thomas, Jeff Foster).
1) Rondo, West, Bradley
2) Ray, West, Howard
3) Pierce, Green, Howard
4) KG Baby JaJuan Johnson
5) JO Baby FA
   This makes us 3 deep in every position.  Gives us a lot of continuity.  Howard should add some wing defense and shooting that we needed last year.  If we add our second round pick E'twaun Moore and the un-drafted Gilbert Brown, we have one spot left over for whatever injury's going to hit us next year.  I would prefer to keep it for another Big than an undersized guard like Iverson.  We have enough of those in Bradley, West and Moore.

[chambers]

Nothing that can't be solved with a non-guaranteed contract, like the ones we gave Wafer and West last season.

Exactly, he has no money left-he's completely broke. He will be playing for his family and putting food on the table for them.
Put him on a non guaranteed contract and if he starts clownin' then cut him without pay.
Even mentioning the Celtics suggests that he wants to join a team of veterans who will not accept any bullEdited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline..
(Or it could be a front in an effort to sell his 'seriousness' about playing in the NBA as a role player.)

[wdleehi]

You mean like what he told Memphis when he signed with them and the then quit on them a few games in because he was actually a bench player like they told him when they signed him?

With all due respect, because I totally see your point, something tells me Boston is different from Memphis in a lot of ways.

Also, he's been out of the NBA for a while, and might just have come to terms with some of his 'demons'.

I guess what I'm saying about 'AI from the bench' is: "if anywhere, then in Boston."

If it was any other player, I might buy it.


But with AI, there is just to much evidence that says the opposite. 

[Jon]

I still don't get how anyone could be against AI on a minimum deal, especially only a partially guaranteed one. 

The C's winning the title this year is contingent on several small miracles:

1) Everyone stays healthy.

2) No one takes a step back due to age.

3) Several younger players improve (I'm looking at your Rondo and Green). 

And even if we're lucky enough for all of that to happen, we're still going to need to add some impact bench players.

Unfortunately, unlike a few years ago, the Celtics are no longer going to be the free agent destination we once were because of the following:

1) Danny isn't going to offer a long term MLE deal because of future cap flexibility. 

2) We're no longer a top tier contender given the age of our core.  If players simply want to hitch on to a title team, they're better off going to Miami, Chicago, etc. 

Thus, I don't understand what people think our other options are. 

Is AI ideal?  No.

Is AI likely to work out?  No. 

However, do we need a player that could have as much of an impact as him off the bench to win a title?  Likely yes. 

Can we get that player elsewhere?  Likely no. 

Thus, we're going to have to roll the dice on some retread with a checkered past.  And I think AI could work out. 

Why?

1) He's finally hit rock bottom. 

2) We don't need the world from him. 

3) Off of the bench, he wouldn't have to change his game.  We need someone on the bench who can come in and score.  Let him come in with the second team and pretend that it's 2001 all over again for 10-15 mpg. 

4) And if it really, really works out, he may be able to play some with the starters.  And we should all know from last year that the Big Four can make people look 5 years younger (see Shaq).  AI may have lost a step or two, but when teams are forced to pay attention to the other superstars on the court, AI could get a lot of open looks. 

[wdleehi]

I still don't get how anyone could be against AI on a minimum deal, especially only a partially guaranteed one. 

The C's winning the title this year is contingent on several small miracles:

1) Everyone stays healthy.

2) No one takes a step back due to age.

3) Several younger players improve (I'm looking at your Rondo and Green). 

And even if we're lucky enough for all of that to happen, we're still going to need to add some impact bench players.

Unfortunately, unlike a few years ago, the Celtics are no longer going to be the free agent destination we once were because of the following:

1) Danny isn't going to offer a long term MLE deal because of future cap flexibility. 

2) We're no longer a top tier contender given the age of our core.  If players simply want to hitch on to a title team, they're better off going to Miami, Chicago, etc. 

Thus, I don't understand what people think our other options are. 

Is AI ideal?  No.

Is AI likely to work out?  No. 

However, do we need a player that could have as much of an impact as him off the bench to win a title?  Likely yes. 

Can we get that player elsewhere?  Likely no. 

Thus, we're going to have to roll the dice on some retread with a checkered past.  And I think AI could work out. 

Why?

1) He's finally hit rock bottom. 

2) We don't need the world from him. 

3) Off of the bench, he wouldn't have to change his game.  We need someone on the bench who can come in and score.  Let him come in with the second team and pretend that it's 2001 all over again for 10-15 mpg. 

4) And if it really, really works out, he may be able to play some with the starters.  And we should all know from last year that the Big Four can make people look 5 years younger (see Shaq).  AI may have lost a step or two, but when teams are forced to pay attention to the other superstars on the court, AI could get a lot of open looks. 

Because we have seen the AI track record.


And at this point, he still only scores by taking a lot of shots with a terrible shooting %.  He just isn't faster then everyone anymore.

He provides no defense.

He is a proven locker room issue.

He has always shown to be a selfish player.

He has quit on teams.

Not one NBA team offered him a contract last season. 



At his point, the only thing AI has is his name recognition from when he was a star level player.

[Finkelskyhook]

At the same time we're talking about the thugster...Lets start a thread to sign Latrine Sprewell, the master of the rear naked choke, to the NBA minimum.  Latrine didn't undermine every coach he ever had...He just tried to get one to tap.
 
I have never been a giant fan of Rivers.  But it mystifies me that C's "fans" would want to sign a washed up overrated selfish player who has repeatedly quit on his team and gotten the majority of his coaches fired.

There's a reason nobody else has signed Iverson.  Actually about a gazillion reasons.

[Celtics4ever]

Agree, we used to have a standard that went with being a Celtic.   Now peeps will sign anyone.   What ever happened to Celtic Pride and being a Celtic.  It's  the same reason I would not want Kobe on this squad.

[chambers]

Agree, we used to have a standard that went with being a Celtic.   Now peeps will sign anyone.   What ever happened to Celtic Pride and being a Celtic.  It's  the same reason I would not want Kobe on this squad.

Well the idea is that signing some of these 'punks' is that playing on a team with KG, Ray, Pierce and Doc as the coach- means that they have a harder time acting up and letting selfishness get in the way of the teams goal.
If you put Iverson in the mix with KG, Ray, Pierce and Doc, combined with a non guaranteed contract, with his family's financial future at stake over the 1 million dollars he'll be making...
Then you have a very reasonable chance at getting some great things out of Iverson without really risking anything.

He is a former league MVP, points champ AND he single handedly lead the 76ers to the finals against the Lakers by himself.

Only two players to have done that in the past 10 years would be Lebron and Dirk.

I think the important thing to remember here is something that was said a lot when the Celtics signed Marbury...
Iverson needs the Celtics a lot more than the C's need him.

[BASS_THUMPER]

iverson still got game

Stephon Marbury got game....we jus didnt appreciate him enuff...which lead to poor ballin..but at times he showed a spark


iverson in green would be sick!!...

im mean a good sick..

*sippin jose cuervo especial*

muy bueno amigo!!!

[syfy9]

We have little other choices for the guard position, and Iverson is a born scorer.

I would put up with Kobe if he wore green. Why not AI?

[BASS_THUMPER]

We have little other choices for the guard position, and Iverson is a born scorer.

I would put up with Kobe if he wore green. Why not AI?

tommy p

[Celtics18]

I still don't get how anyone could be against AI on a minimum deal, especially only a partially guaranteed one. 

The C's winning the title this year is contingent on several small miracles:

1) Everyone stays healthy.

2) No one takes a step back due to age.

3) Several younger players improve (I'm looking at your Rondo and Green). 

And even if we're lucky enough for all of that to happen, we're still going to need to add some impact bench players.

Unfortunately, unlike a few years ago, the Celtics are no longer going to be the free agent destination we once were because of the following:

1) Danny isn't going to offer a long term MLE deal because of future cap flexibility. 

2) We're no longer a top tier contender given the age of our core.  If players simply want to hitch on to a title team, they're better off going to Miami, Chicago, etc. 

Thus, I don't understand what people think our other options are. 

Is AI ideal?  No.

Is AI likely to work out?  No. 

However, do we need a player that could have as much of an impact as him off the bench to win a title?  Likely yes. 

Can we get that player elsewhere?  Likely no. 

Thus, we're going to have to roll the dice on some retread with a checkered past.  And I think AI could work out. 

Why?

1) He's finally hit rock bottom. 

2) We don't need the world from him. 

3) Off of the bench, he wouldn't have to change his game.  We need someone on the bench who can come in and score.  Let him come in with the second team and pretend that it's 2001 all over again for 10-15 mpg. 

4) And if it really, really works out, he may be able to play some with the starters.  And we should all know from last year that the Big Four can make people look 5 years younger (see Shaq).  AI may have lost a step or two, but when teams are forced to pay attention to the other superstars on the court, AI could get a lot of open looks. 

I've got one question: If we are not a top tier contender, which are the teams that you would put in that category?

[Celtics4ever]

iverson still got game

If this is the case how did he end up at the lesser ranks of Pros in Turkey?  He wasn't playing in the highest level of ball they have over there but their second tier.  If he had so much game don't you think one pro team would have taken a flyer last year?

Stephon Marbury got game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCaEwDLGnD4&list=PL75C7BD74FEAB26B4&index=4&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eUtSV519vU&feature=fvwrel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2QEcadC_Rk&feature=related

Too bad he rather get high than play ball.  I would never want him on the team.

[CelticsFanNC]

  I don't get it when people say playing alongside of KG, Allen ,Pierce and for Doc will keep whomever from playing exactly as he has played his entire career.

  Have you not been paying attention?  Did playing here keep Sam Cassell from jacking up a shot every single time he touched the ball and eventually getting benched in favor of Eddie House?  Has it kept Glen Davis from playing extremely selfish basketball for long stretches of seasons.  Did it change who Marbury or Nate Robinson have always been?    NO, NO NO and NO.

  Do you really think Alan Iverson will make some miraculous change in who he is and who he has always been just as soon as he puts on a Celtics uniform?  If you do you have a whole lot ot learn about human nature.  People might conform short term but just as soon as they become comfortable they revert to being exactly who they have always been.  That is human nature.

  Who Alan Iverson is and has always been is very well established and that guy has no business ever wearing a Celtics uniform.  He's a ball hog.  He's completely self absorbed.  He's a quitter.  He's a coach killer.  He's a malcontent. He has spent his entire career being the anti-Celtic.  That is highly unlikely to change.

  Ont top of all of that do you really think him playing for a minimum salary is going to make him conform to playing Celtics basketball when you've got to know he feels like he deserves to be paid more then that?  That to me is highly unlikely.

 

[chambers]

 I don't get it when people say playing alongside of KG, Allen Pierce and for Doc will keep whomever from playing exactly as he has played his entire career.

  Have you not been paying attention?  Did playing here keep Sam Cassell from jacking up a shot every single time he touched the ball?  Has it kept Glen Davis from playing extremely selfish basketball for long stretches of seasons.  Did it change who Marbury or Nate Robinson has always been?    NO, NO NO and NO.

  Do you really think Alan Iverson will make some miraculous change in who he is and who he has always been just as soon as he puts on a Celtics uniform?  If you do you have a whole lot ot learn about human nature.  People might conform short term but just as soon as they become comfortable they revert to being exactly who they have always been.  That is human nature.

  Who Alan Iverson is and has always been is very well established and that guy has no business ever wearing a Celtics uniform.  He's a ball hog.  He's completely self absorbed.  He's a quitter.  He's a coach killer.  He's a malcontent. He has spent his entire career being the anti-Celtic.

 

all of those 'punks' you just mentioned gave the Celtics extremely good input at one point or another.
Nate and Baby got us through some tough points (particularly in the playoffs) in 2010.
Marbury wasn't special, but he wasn't a 'cancer' in the locker room either.

The simple fact is that if you throw ANYONE in on a non guaranteed contract- it's up to them. Iverson is rock bottom BROKE. He has no where else to go. If the veterans on the Celtics and our no-nonsense coach don't rub off on him or keep him in check, then Danny Ainge will have the pleasure of crossing his name off the list and kicking him to the curb.

What do people seem to be missing here?
*Former scoring champ/MVP
*No serious injury worries
*can score at will at the point or SG position.
*can play excellent defense when switched on/motivated.

The attitude questions are valid, but putting this guy at number 12 -13 on the roster on a CHEAP NON-GUARANTEED contract, and seeing if he can pull his weight could be very good for the Celtics.