I fear IT won't last long at this level

[rondohondo]

During an appearance on Sirius XM NBA Radio on Tuesday, Thomas added, “I want to change my diet, eat the right way, eat more healthy to prolong my career. I want to try to play until I’m 40. That’s my goal. That’s the biggest thing for me, to take care of my body and transform my body into something that eats right and puts the best things inside my body because I know I need my body. I hit the ground a lot, man, and my body is hurting.”

The way he drives to the hoop, and the hits he takes has me concerned . From an athletic point of view I have read 24-28 are prime years . With his height and now that he is 27, I think he has maybe 3-4 years of prime play .

Anyone else concerned?

[makaveli]

are you saying 3-4 years at this or similar to it level is not considered long? i would be overjoyed if he could do that for 3 more years.

[PickNRoll]

I'm concerned but not necessarily due to all the spills.  He's built like a linebacker and I think he can adapt.  But I do think he's the type of player that gets by on lightning speed and athleticism.  Once he loses a step, his production will fall off quickly. 

It brings to mind Roy Jones, Jr.  Lightning reflexes and one of the most dominant fighters I've ever seen.  But boxing is a game of inches and split seconds, just like bball.  As soon as he lost half a step it was over.

[LilRip]

Until what age was Iverson still a force?

[PickNRoll]

Until what age was Iverson still a force?

I'd say he was dominant through 2007-08 when he was 32 years old.  He's also 3 inches taller.

[Who]

I want to trade him. Now. Before he becomes an expiring contract.

Before he is due a big payday. IT is not someone I want to give a max contract to. Not sold on IT's value for money at a max contract + I, like the OP, am concerned about how well he'll hold up long term. That max contract will be a 4-5 year deal with 2 years left on his current deal. That is 6-7 years from now. Can IT maintain his performance that long?

I do not want to try trading IT as an expiring deal when his value is way down. Nor do I want to pay him when his contract is up. I think now is the best time to trade him.

[Kane3387]

Until what age was Iverson still a force?

I'd say he was dominant through 2007-08 when he was 32 years old.  He's also 3 inches taller.

Yeah but the rules are more guard friendly now

[PickNRoll]

I want to trade him. Now. Before he becomes an expiring contract.

Before he is due a big payday. IT is not someone I want to give a max contract to. Not sold on IT's value for money at a max contract + I, like the OP, am concerned about how well he'll hold up long term. That max contract will be a 4-5 year deal with 2 years left on his current deal. That is 6-7 years from now. Can IT maintain his performance that long?

I do not want to try trading IT as an expiring deal when his value is way down. Nor do I want to pay him when his contract is up. I think now is the best time to trade him.

I love IT, but I think you may be right.

[PickNRoll]

Until what age was Iverson still a force?

I'd say he was dominant through 2007-08 when he was 32 years old.  He's also 3 inches taller.

Yeah but the rules are more guard friendly now

And ratings have never been higher.  Personally I wish they'd let people play defense.  It's literally impossible to guard guys like Westbrook and Harden.  They get a head of steam, barrel into the lane and invariably score or shoot FT's.  And a lot of the whistles are made in anticipation of contact.  It's not really basketball to me.  And get off my lawn. 

[JBcat]

I want to trade him. Now. Before he becomes an expiring contract.

Before he is due a big payday. IT is not someone I want to give a max contract to. Not sold on IT's value for money at a max contract + I, like the OP, am concerned about how well he'll hold up long term. That max contract will be a 4-5 year deal with 2 years left on his current deal. That is 6-7 years from now. Can IT maintain his performance that long?

I do not want to try trading IT as an expiring deal when his value is way down. Nor do I want to pay him when his contract is up. I think now is the best time to trade him.

Tough call.  We are marketing him now as the face of the franchise going to the lottery, asking him to help recruit ect..  It wouldn't look good as a franchise to trade him now I would think.  Maybe if we totally strike out during free agency revisit the idea.

[Spilling Green Dye]

I want to trade him. Now. Before he becomes an expiring contract.

Before he is due a big payday. IT is not someone I want to give a max contract to. Not sold on IT's value for money at a max contract + I, like the OP, am concerned about how well he'll hold up long term. That max contract will be a 4-5 year deal with 2 years left on his current deal. That is 6-7 years from now. Can IT maintain his performance that long?

I do not want to try trading IT as an expiring deal when his value is way down. Nor do I want to pay him when his contract is up. I think now is the best time to trade him.

I normally would completely agree with this sentiment, but I don't see how the Celtics could trade him right now.  He's become the player voice to the rest of the league about how great the organization is.  How committed the Celtics are, and how phenomenal it is to play for this coach.  If we traded him then we'd lose a lot of credibility around the league.

My suggestion is to let it play out, and if he demands a max contract then there's nothing wrong with letting him walk.  The damage we'd do by trading him now would outweigh the temporary return we'd get in the trade.

[jpotter33]

I want to trade him. Now. Before he becomes an expiring contract.

Before he is due a big payday. IT is not someone I want to give a max contract to. Not sold on IT's value for money at a max contract + I, like the OP, am concerned about how well he'll hold up long term. That max contract will be a 4-5 year deal with 2 years left on his current deal. That is 6-7 years from now. Can IT maintain his performance that long?

I do not want to try trading IT as an expiring deal when his value is way down. Nor do I want to pay him when his contract is up. I think now is the best time to trade him.

If you could convince LA that IT and Crowder would help them draw free agents this summer and next (they are the type of cost-controlled high-end role players/borderline stars that form the foundation around two or so other stars), would you trade IT, Crowder, #16, and the ability to pick swap with our 2018 pick for something like Young and the #2 pick this year?

[86MaxwellSmart]

Just be grateful he is not fragile like Delonte West....he would have already retired.

[PickNRoll]

Just be grateful he is not fragile like Delonte West....he would have already retired.

Bipolar disorder more to blame than injuries, fwiw.  I loved Delonte!  That kid hustled.

[makaveli]

Until what age was Iverson still a force?

isaiah is 2 inches shorter and 20 lbs heavier(all muscle i might add) than iverson, so yeah, that makes the difference.