Allen Iverson Is Unretiring, I knew he wasn't done

[nickagneta]

What you fail to point out is that Martin, for all practical purposes, missed the whole season the previous year, and he was, any Nuggests fan can tell you, largely ineffective in the 07-08 season, no matter what the stats tell you. Moreover, as was already said, Nene was not the same player; and, for that matter, neither was JR Smith.

I think Chauncey Billups deserves a lot of credit for JR Smith's improvement. He's been an excellent big brother figure for him both on and off the court. Helping him handle himself better off the court, practice habits, work ethic, and a better understanding of how to play. Iverson, reportedly, had the opposite effect.

I agree, one can't include Nene on that playoff roster. He wasn't healthy. Nowhere close to being healthy. What did he play? 20-50 ineffectual minutes? (30 minutes, looked it up) After a season of sitting out with cancer (cancer?)? C'mon, Nene can't be included as part of that team.

Kenyon Martin wasn't as good in 2007-08 as he was last season but he was still most of the ways there.

 Also, if you don't consider Marcus Camby a better player and contributor than Nene, then throws that argument out the window and I don't know if we can discuss this further.

I gotta disagree here. I don't think Camby comes close to Nene's abilities defensively or offensively.

I think Nene is a vastly superior all-round man-to-man defender, particularly in the low post, a vastly superior pick and roll defender, and a generally superior team defender. Camby gets a few more weakside blocks.

Camby is a better rebounder but not by much because Nene actually puts a body on someone and keeps the opponent off the glass, unlike Camby who gets big rebounding numbers but also gives up big rebounding numbers to opponents. Look at the team rebounding numbers for this -- Camby's Nuggets got beat on the backboards overall (100 boards over a season) + while he was on the floor (48.8% on vs 48.5% off). Nene's Nuggets out-rebounded their opponent overall (30 boards over the season) + when he was on the floor (50.5% on vs 48.5% off).

Offensively, Nene has a much better jump shot, sets better screens and is a lot more effective in pick and roll situations, has better hands, is more efficient (TS% of 60=% his last three healthy years) and is a better finisher around the rim. He also runs the floor better than Camby does.

I think Nene is a vastly superior player to Marcus Camby.

Wait a second, defensively, Camby was very, very good in 2008. He had 12 blocks in 4 games versus that Lakers team in that series with over 11 rebounds. Discount those stats all you want but they are significant upgrades to what Nene has ever given the Nuggets in any playoff series ever. Camby was a much better defender in 2008 than Nene was last year.

[celticsclay]

This is starting to remind of my a forum thread about antoine walker. Man, this guy is polarizing. I cant even imagine what would happen if he signed with the celtics in february.

[Redz]

This is starting to remind of my a forum thread about antoine walker. Man, this guy is polarizing. I cant even imagine what would happen if he signed with the celtics in february.

There's be a lot of complaints and a lot of excitement, but he'd get a gigantic standing ovation the first time he took the floor for the Celtics, then the rest would be up to him.

[LB3533]

I think, on the court, the way Allen Iverson plays is infectious and can help fuel our team.

It is very similar to how KG fuels our defense or fueled our defense.

Right now our defense is awful. When we started 6-0 we gave up no more than 90 points in those games, since then we've given up 90 points or more 6 times (over 10 games). And this includes allowing 100 points or more in 4 out of our last 6 games.

[LarBrd33]

I think, on the court, the way Allen Iverson plays is infectious and can help fuel our team.

It is very similar to how KG fuels our defense or fueled our defense.

Right now our defense is awful. When we started 6-0 we gave up no more than 90 points in those games, since then we've given up 90 points or more 6 times (over 10 games). And this includes allowing 100 points or more in 4 out of our last 6 games.

how is bringing in a 6 foot ballhog shooting guard who shoots 41% going to improve our defense?

[LB3533]

I think, on the court, the way Allen Iverson plays is infectious and can help fuel our team.

It is very similar to how KG fuels our defense or fueled our defense.

Right now our defense is awful. When we started 6-0 we gave up no more than 90 points in those games, since then we've given up 90 points or more 6 times (over 10 games). And this includes allowing 100 points or more in 4 out of our last 6 games.

how is bringing in a 6 foot ballhog shooting guard who shoots 41% going to improve our defense?

AI's play is gonna spark us. His hustle and heart and determination.

It can't be worse than how we're playing....

[RJ87]

He'll prob be a 76er again by next week.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10440372/Sixers-appear-ready-to-bring-back-Iverson

[nickagneta]

He'll prob be a 76er again by next week.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10440372/Sixers-appear-ready-to-bring-back-Iverson

1.) This report is by Screaming A. Smith who, not so coincidentally, was also the man that erroneously reported that AI was going to retire.

2.) The report is contrary to what Sixers officials have already told another ESPN.com reporter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4693348

The 76ers have been struggling at the gate and have a fresh void at guard after losing Lou Williams for an estimated eight weeks with a broken jaw. But sources with knowledge of the 76ers' thinking told ESPN.com on Friday that the Sixers do not intend to pursue Iverson, preferring instead to give more minutes to rookie guard Jrue Holiday.

[Eja117]

Screaming A Smith. Ha. TP!

[Birdbrain]

Makes sense no elite team in their right mind would make this move.  I'm not sure what to say when you mention signing Iverson and the word defense is actually part of post.  Pass with extreme prejudice.  The whining factor from fans is really high for late nov.  In my opinion the C's have more than enough talent to win it all. Will they be healthy and get a few bounces to go their way will be the determining factor not dumpster diving for an over the hill also ran...

note: for the AI fans I didn't add never was.

[biggs]

I can see AI here, but only in the same situation Marbury came.  Right around playoff time/trade deadline, if there's an open roster spot, he will get signed by a contender.  The only reason I see picking him up around that time as a low risk is because he wouldn't get the whole season to poison the team and we could waive him if he really can't fit.  You gotta think that he'll be hungry to play after sitting out for most of the season.  Plus if any team has a strong locker room it's us.

[greenwise]

Apparently heading to the 76ers:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10440372/Sixers-appear-ready-to-bring-back-Iverson

[nickagneta]

Apparently heading to the 76ers:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10440372/Sixers-appear-ready-to-bring-back-Iverson

This was the same story that was linked to earlier and, again, it's by Stephen A. Smith, a man who has already reported on the Allen Iverson story incorrectly just within the last few days. How many times is Smith going to guess, and guess wrong, before people start not listening to him.

ESPN.com already reported that the Sixers are not in fact interested in Iverson.

[housecall]

Maybe its already been posted but i heard this morning over the radio,AI might be signing with Philly(76er's) soon.

[LB3533]

If AI does go to Philly, he's gonna take an AS spot away from either Rondo or Brandon Jennings.