Will The Answer Land in New York?
by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
From the moment he became an unrestricted free agent this past summer, the ideal situation for Allen Iverson has always been New York. Big city, all eyes on him, the ball in his hands, and a coach who (theoretically) can bring out the best — or, at least, what remains of it — in The Answer.
Last night, Donnie Walsh confirmed his franchise’s interest in bringing Iverson to MSG. For a 1-9 team (the worst start in team history) going nowhere fast, this could be the jolt they desperately need.
From the NY Daily News:
Can Allen Iverson save the Knicks’ season, rescue them at the box office or at least make them relevant again?
Donnie Walsh will spend the next 48 hours debating what impact, both negative and positive, Iverson could have on the organization. Walsh, the Knicks’ president, confirmed Monday night that the club will explore the possibility of signing Iverson, the former league MVP who was placed on waivers yesterday by the Memphis Grizzlies. “We’ll look into it,” Walsh told the Daily News. “Right now, I’d say probably not but we’ll see.”
The Knicks are obviously a disaster, so why not take a chance on A.I? If he doesn’t work out in Gotham, it’s not like things could actually get any worse for the Knickerbockers. Rock bottom has already been reached; there’s nowhere else to go for this franchise but up.
There are understandable concerns about this move possibly stunting the growth of Danilo Gallinari and Toney Douglas, but I’d argue that playing alongside Chris Duhon is infinitely more damaging to their development.
Assuming they don’t make the mistake of asking him to come off the bench, Allen Iverson — whose manager says he’d love to play for Mike D’Antoni — could help New York regain some semblance of respectability. And even if he doesn’t, at least the product will be entertaining.
Which is a lot more than what you can say about the current Knicks.
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Once the combination of players actually drawing up plans and keying in on him, while fatiguing beyond his stamina level kicked in, Duhon didn’t look that great.
This season, people continue to draw up plans to stop him, and he’s just been awful.
That said, why would it be interesting to watch the New York media “savage” Iverson? I don’t see the appeal in that one.
backcourt partner Anthony Carter,
front court melo, Kenyon & Camby
I think not…The only reason nuggets even won 2 games against the Lakers instead of getting swept is because They had Kobe stopper/tripper, Dantay Jones Guarding KB instead of Kenyon getting torched trying to stay with Kobe. & they also Had Birdman + Nene to Check Odom & Gasol not to mention block shots & Grab Boards, Birdman is sick.
Billups+Anthony+Nene+Martin+Smith+Birdman+Carter+Kleiza >> Iverson+Anthony+Atkins+Carter+Kleiza+Smith+Camby. notice the difference?
You’re wasting your time.
+ having Nene man handling Gasol in the Middle, + Birdman having his block parties after all that JR torching Sasha & the Lakers bench AI on Nuggets in 09 equal Finals or Championship, call me deluded too
Camby is a good Help defender but not so good on 1 on 1
situations & ai is an underated passer his 7 apg is more than what billups avg. The difference billups look to create more for others. Ai by creating for himself creates opening for others
“last year wash up detroit AI” dropped 27 on Memphis
abusing whomever they placed on him, they should’ve started him.
He had 38 points against Deron williams too
This year washed up AI in his 2nd game in Months had 18 points & 7 assist in 27 mins
He is No more Bench Player than is Kobe or Lebron
@nbk you made a good point regarding the minutes & Assist ratio i did not know that, conversely AI gives more points per minutes.so it cancels out. Billups is definitely a Winner & a better mentor or coach than AI 7 straight conf finals appearance is Good. To answer that question in all fairness I’d have to ask when did AI have 3 fellow all stars to play along side him as billups did, Never only during allstar Games, during which I’m sure he has a better Assist per minute rate than Billups, He’s throws the sickes alleys to Vince & who ever it is on his teams & doesn’t play selfish. Point is he passes when he has options he trust
Do you really think Iverson would be complaining if he was getting the 35 minutes per game and the CLOSER ROLE that Manu Ginobli and Jason Terry have?! Obviously not. Again, he hasn’t articulated his opinion clear enough (ie. complaining about not starting), but let’s be real: the MINUTES are what count. If the coaches of Memphis/Detroit were to up his minutes, he would probably have no problem with coming off the bench.
I haven’t been watching the Knicks too much this year but you don’t really need to. I paid attention for a little bit after Isiah was gone and then this year to see how the paper-thin roster would work out, but its no different than before and its not supposed to be until next year. A 1 year AI signing would add excitement to a season that is sure to seem like an eternity to the way-passed-disgruntled NY fandom. Even if things don’t turn out so well, how much else is there to talk about regarding the next ‘cept “I HOPE THEY GET LEBS AND WADE AT THE SAME TIME AND MAYBE TRADE FOR DIRK AND CHEEP TOO” or whatever it is these days.
I think ur d only ! in the Phil. who thinks like that.
i really dont want to see his career ending on a sour note…..damn it!
he’s scored 27,000 points…he better go to a team that respect’s him and his experience..and for all the people who compare iverson to billups are way off the mark..billups had the support of ben
wallace,rasheed wallace,richard hamilton,tayshawn…what did iverson have?broken mutombo??!!
go iverson….35 mpg-22.9 ppg-3.9 rpg-6.6 apg!
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I totally agree with tavoris.
The guy is what he is, and hasn’t really changed since day one. So I find the whole thing really hypocritical, to be honest.
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