[Lefty Noob]

Sixers president Billy King is strongly denying it, but there are rumors floating around that Philly is set to deal Allen Iverson to Denver for Nene, Earl Watson and some additional players. While it seems unlikely, if I were a Sixer fan, I'd be holding my breath until today's 3pm trade deadlines passes...

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

As a Sixers fan, I've been waiting for them to ship AI off for years now. Not that I want it to happen, mind you, but it's been rumored for years and it really seems inevitable. The Sixers front office has never understood AI and they've wasted his entire career by surrounding him with crappy players.

Generally speaking, I'm not a big fan of NBA basketball. I think the product is of a much lesser value than it used to be, and it just doesn't do it for me these days. Of course, there is one exception: his name is Allen Iverson. He is without a doubt the most exciting player I've ever seen, and I want nothing more than to see him win a championship. If I had my way, he'd bring one to Philly. But, should he be sent to Denver, I'll cheer for him there, as well.

[ThePundit]

City of Bro Love:

For the most part, you're right that the Sixers don't give Iverson anyone to play with. My only question is, if they did, would it matter? The guy doesn't want to pass the ball, he just wants to score.

He has Chris Webber now. While not the player he once was, Webber is putting up some phenominal numbers this year.

I'm not arguing that Iverson is an offensive juggernaut and amazing to watch. The problem is he doesn't make anyone around him better.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

The guy doesn't want to pass the ball, he just wants to score.

I get pretty tired of hearing this kind of stuff. I don't know you, and I'm certainly not judging you, but most of the people who say this stuff don't really know much about Iverson except what they hear and read.

I'm not saying Iverson is easy to play with; he certainly isn't. But to say that he doesn't want to pass, I just don't accept that. For so long, he was surrounded by people who couldn't put the ball in the basket - so didn't it make more sense for him to take the shots himself than pass? Watch him now when Igoudala or Korver is hot - he'll pass the ball all night long.

Iverson has long been quoted as saying he'd give anything to play with Shaq. Why? So he could feed him inside.

Wasn't it last year's All Star Game that Iverson spent the entire night setting up his teammates? There are lots of things AI does well - but most of all, feeding his teammates is at the top of the list. It's just that his passes are pretty creative, and he has yet to really play with anyone who is talented enough to play with him.

[Lefty Noob]

Sorry, Pundit, but I don't see where you can make the argument that he's a ballhog. If he is, then why is he tops on his team and 8th in the NBA with an average of 7.4 assists per game? I think he does a pretty darn fine job of "speading the love" and the statistics would see to back up that assertion.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

Iverson had 13 assists in last night's Sixers' win over the Cavs.

What a ball hog.

[EmpireWF]

Why would the Sixers want to deal their best player? They seem to be surrounding him w/ at least one above average player in Iguadola (sp?). I doubt he's traded this year.

What's funny is the Nuggest have been trying to ship Watson out for ages it seems.

[ThePundit]

City & Lefty:

I don't watch Iverson on an every day basis. You do. But I do watch a lot of basketball and I've seen him play plenty. He's a marvelous offensive player. I 'm not arguing that.

But I personally think this is a case of statistics not meaning much. Last night for instance, he took 24 shots AND had 13 assists. If you had the ball in your hands 75% of the time, you could amass some pretty impressive numbers too.

My major problem with him is that he's a score first and a pass second player. I'm not in love with players like that and never have been.

My question to both of you is: how do you explain the Sixers sub-par record with Chris Webber and a crummy Eastern Conference? If Iverson is so wonderful, why don't they win more games? He should be willing them to more wins by making those around him better.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

My major problem with him is that he's a score first and a pass second player. I'm not in love with players like that and never have been.

But how do you know he is a score first type of player if you discount his statistics and don't watch him play every night?

If Iverson is so wonderful, why don't they win more games?

Well, that's easy - all season long, the Sixers' biggest problem has been their defense, not their offense, and certainly not the fact that Iverson doesn't pass enough. Again, if you watched all of their games you would know that they allow far too many shots and often blow big leads.

One player does not a team make. Alexander Ovechkin is the single most dynamic player in the NHL right now. His team? Atrocious.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Sixers president Billy King is strongly denying it, but there are rumors floating around that Philly is set to deal Allen Iverson to Denver for Nene, Earl Watson and some additional players. While it seems unlikely, if I were a Sixer fan, I'd be holding my breath until today's 3pm trade deadlines passes...

Funny, isn't it? Back in February there was talk of Iverson going to Denver, and now - BOOM! - 10 months later, and with new parties involved in the deal, AI is now officially a member of the Nuggets.