Why Did The Detroit Pistons Trade For Allen Iverson?

[flounder]

After losing to the Washington Wizards, 107-94, they are currently trailing the Cavs by 6 1/2 games (11-9).

The Pistons system,or rather, Coach Michael Curry's system isn't allowing A.I. to do what he does best, i.e, SCORE!! Instead the scoring chores are being left to Sheed (Mr. Inconsistent) and Rip. I.A. is pretty much relegated as the 3rd scoring option, and confined to doing the 'little' things that produce nothing, except frustration. Coach, A.I. is the 3rd all-time scorer in NBA history!!! Take advantage of his skills!

The infusion of points, or lack thereof, is what we fans are missing. This oftentimes allow games we should win get away. The on-again-off-again bench reminds me of last season's bench. Usually, when they take the floor the lead earned by the starters is history!

After seeing them play against the Wizards tonight, the approach being used by Curry--seems like he's expirementing for the sake of experimentation---is not producing any possitive results. He would be smart to keep the starters on the floor a little longer, and get some better bench players.

The man has a proven producer on his roster, but fails to take advantage of it. And Iverson--to his credit--expresses a desire to be a 'team player' and fit-in, voices no complaints. But one feels that he would prefer a different role. Which leads me to question, "Why did they trade for him, anyway?

The much needed--and expected--scoring infusion is sorely missing, and the 'void' create by sending "Mr. Big Shot" to the Nuggets won't be replaced by the bench!

Maybe Joe Dumars should talk to Coach Curry.

 

[RunawaySlave]

Iverson is not creating a problem on offense as much as he is creating a problem on defense. The nucleus of the Pistons: Hamilton, Prince, Wallace and Billups, had been playing together since their championship year and Billups and Rip were sharing the same backcourt for a few years prior to that. When you play together that long (and with free agency, that's an eternity in today's game), you get to know one another's strengths and weaknesses pretty well and play off of them. One of the strengths of Billups was his defense. Not that he was a great defender mind you, but (and this is VERY important), he did not require alot of help to guard his man. Yes, there was alot of switching, but he and Rip had a certain chemistry on defense that is not, and will never be, the same with he and Iverson. Iverson is not a good on the ball defender at all, his only defense is going for steals in the passing lanes. And when he doesn't get the steal, that usually leaves his man free for penetration or an open shot. That is creating a HUGE hole in the Piston defense. He might actually be a worse defender than Sam Cassell. At least Sam would draw a charge (flop) now and then. But if you isolate Iverson his man is sure to have a big day (as the stats indicate). His teammates, having grown accustomed to Billups being there all the time on defense, are not ready to pick up his slack.

With Billups gone, The center and PF will have to play a more active role switching off on Iverson's man after they lose him (and it happens alot). Right now it's all on Tayshaun Prince to make up for Iverson's lack of man to man defense. Rasheed Wallace is a good man on man defender against other bigs, but isn't very intuitive and is slow on switches. And whoever is the PF de jour, is probably still trying to get his feet wet. Amir Johnson is probably used to Billups as well. So they are getting burned on defense left and right. I feel sorry for Prince. he will be overburdened now.


Meanwhile.....down in Denver

 

[cranrab]

IMO, it's WAY too soon to be measuring the pistons. let me repeat that for emphasis: WAY too soon.

you have a new head coach and a new starter. both arrivals are going to require some time for change. also, only 3 players have started EVERY game for the pistons so far.

skeptics are pointing out that the pistons started off 4-0 before the trade. let me put that in perspective too. those wins were against LAST PLACE teams: indiana, washington, charlotte, and toronto. ALL of those squads are in the cellars of their respective divisions.

give the pistons until january 1st before you start calling for joe dumars' head on a platter. or allen iverson's.

EDIT: denver's 13-4 record since chauncey billups' is nice, but you have to temper that with the fact that they are getting a steady diet of the WORSTern conference.

 

[QwietStorm]

AI isn't being exploited simply because he doesn't fit the team, and I don't know that he ever will with this same group. Even with more practice, AI will still be toned down, because the Pistons, as they are, cannot convert to a running team, and Hamilton will suffer. I never understood the trade to begin. I'm not even a Pistons fan, and I was sad to see Billups go.

 

[MoneyInTheBank]

Why Did The Detroit Pistons Trade For Allen Iverson?

2010

 

[Detroit's finest]

AI isn't being exploited simply because he doesn't fit the team, and I don't know that he ever will with this same group. Even with more practice, AI will still be toned down, because the Pistons, as they are, cannot convert to a running team, and Hamilton will suffer. I never understood the trade to begin. I'm not even a Pistons fan, and I was sad to see Billups go.

SHUT YO NIGGA ASS UP. STAY YO MONKEY ASS ON THE EASTCOAST. KEEP YOUR MOUTH OUT OF OUR BUSINESS. HAVE THE KNICKS WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP BITCH THAN SPEAK.

 

[RunawaySlave]

IMO, it's WAY too soon to be measuring the pistons. let me repeat that for emphasis: WAY too soon.

I disagree. Don't think it's EVER too soon to stamp out a losing attitude. All the things I said about Iverson not being able to play defense aren't necessarily true. He can play defense, he just chooses not to. Which to me is the sign of a selfish ballplayer. One of the main strengths of the Pistons throughtout Billups tenure was that there was NO selfishness among the star players. Chauncey, Rip and Wallace were all capable of scoring 20-25 per game, but all sacrificed their offensive outputs for the good of the team. As did Tayshaun Prince. Now here comes a player who has a history of being a volume shooter and is not known for always playing for the good of the team as much as he is known for playing for the good of himself. It just doesn't mesh. It's like QS said, Curry will have to revies the offense to fit his style of play. But in my mind, if you are so great, then it should be the other way around. There's nothing that he can't do on the court. Just a matter of wanting to do it if you want to win a title.


Or maybe it's just the black man in charge thing again. I don't know.

 

[Ruff Ryder]

I think Joe D. is going senile.

1.Darko draft.

2.Let go of Mehmet Okur.

3.Made Mike Curry head coach.

4.Trade Billups for Iverson.

 

[flounder]

The Detroit Pistons have reverted back to being a 'status quo' team.... especially if the Palace continues to be sold-out.

Mr. Davidson will continue to rake in the money. His coffer will continue to expand, and team growth will remain the same. However, the days of championships are gone. It is no longer the ONLY 'team oriented' squad in the NBA, nor is the ONLY effective DEFENSE in the NBA. Other teams have those same characteristics, and as such, no longer 'coward' when they play the Pistons. In fact, they look forward to it.

They are now down to getting rid of large 'expiring' contracts, in hopes of getting lucky with the player or players coming aboard as a result of the space created by the exiting player or player(s).

New faces will help bring more bodies to fill the Palace. This makes Mr. Davidson happy. So what if the team finishes in the middle of the pack? At least they'll make the playoffs. Thus meeting the teams' goal.

If accomplished, Joe's job is safe. The coach? Well, he may be around for two or three seasons.

 

[Bad News Brown]

Why Did The Detroit Pistons Trade For Allen Iverson?

2010

EXACTLY!

Joe Dumars is making a play for LeBron

 

[4 Dimensional]

EXACTLY!

Joe Dumars is making a play for LeBron

Dumars is not getting Lebron. NO WAY, NO HOW, NOT POSSIBLE.


Detroit just needed a change and I wish they would have got rid of Rasheed instead. Moving your point guard was too much of a change.

 

[Thothprod]

Really yall cats are jumpin the gun....The Season is young and With AI The Pistons have to develope a whole different strategy and Chemistry......
Even Dudes here are saying Curry ain't coaching worth a Fuck..
BUT...On The basketball side The Pistons have got to Get another way of facilitating plays....with Chauncey gone ...that has got to come thru Tayshun and Rodney Stuckey...They also need to get AI and Rip doing what they do best ...moving without the ball and hitting a high percentage of their shots....

I did not like the trade....But I'm looking at what they got....The question is if they can get it to work.....
If They can They will be very dangerous and right back in the hunt..
If midseason roles around and they have not started to jive...I'll start to worry...as regards Boston and Cleveland They are playin well and winning a lot of games...But I am not seeing anything new with them...they were both good teams last year and they are again this year...

But remember a couple of years ago the Pistons won 64 games and did not get a ring....

Mcdyess has just come back in the line up....so there is another player AI has to get in sync with.

I am not going to say they will take it all....But if You are counting them out I think you are making a big mistake.....

The recent losses have been abysmal...But per Joe D. and Curry They are trying to see how to use what they got....remember This is not the team that started the season....They have to re learn everything in real time.....If any group of guys can do that....It is Them!!

 

[flounder]

The Pistons are trying to give the impression that they're 'upgrading the team', but keeping 'Sheed leads me to think that they're stuck in a 'status quo' mode, as far as saving money to get LeBron. Hell, that's nothing more than wishful thinking. Why in the H..... would he want to come to Detroit?

New York would be a perfect market for him...a commercial market breeming with media outlets galore, and the prospect of boo-coos of money. Plus, a coach (D'Antoni) with a system that's IDEAL for his remarkable skills! Detroit? Please!

If he went to Detroit, he'd have to modify his skills to FIT an archaic system--as old as its coach (Curry- who grew up in that system) and a team president and owner who want nothing else. That 'system' was effective years ago before other teams changed their systems. As soon as they won, Stern couldn't wait to changed the rules making it impossible for the Pistons to win with their system. But they were too stubborn to make adjustments. Today it's old-fashion, and built for the status quo.

Its a 'remember-when' system.... "was effective in the good old days". It's a system designed for the 'middle of the pack', and come early next year you will see the results.

Owner Bill Davidson? He loves it, and he should. Palace sellouts throughout the season and he's making plenty of $$$!

 

[Bad News Brown]

Dumars is not getting Lebron. NO WAY, NO HOW, NOT POSSIBLE.


Detroit just needed a change and I wish they would have got rid of Rasheed instead. Moving your point guard was too much of a change.

It could happen. They'll have the money, and a lot of young talent still on the roster...so they'll be in a better position to be a real contender than any of the other teams in the LeBron sweepstakes.

The only real reason why it's a long shot is the fact that he's be going from one mid-market NBA city to another. If he leaves, he'll want to play under the spotlight of a major market.

 

[blooo]

The first thing is Iverson has to come off the bench and Stuckey or Bynum has to take over the PG position. Iverson as a PG is a big no no, ,coach brown tried it in Philly and it back fired. Also Iverson and Rip hamilton together in the court is another no no, their is not enough shots for the Both of them, considering Iverson is a volume shooter.. We got mcdyess back, lets give them 15 games and see if they've worked out a chemisry.The way Boston is playing right now, i'm not expecting much from the pistons this year. I don't know what to say about Rasheed, he's lost it or Age has caught up with him.

 

[blooo]

It could happen. They'll have the money, and a lot of young talent still on the roster...so they'll be in a better position to be a real contender than any of the other teams in the LeBron sweepstakes.

The only real reason why it's a long shot is the fact that he's be going from one mid-market NBA city to another. If he leaves, he'll want to play under the spotlight of a major market.

And lebron aint coming to Detroit, We might get carlos Boozer.

 

[Thothprod]

The first thing is Iverson has to come off the bench and Stuckey or Bynum has to take over the PG position. Iverson as a PG is a big no no, ,coach brown tried it in Philly and it back fired. Also Iverson and Rip hamilton together in the court is another no no, their is not enough shots for the Both of them, considering Iverson is a volume shooter.. We got mcdyess back, lets give them 15 games and see if they've worked out a chemisry.The way Boston is playing right now, i'm not expecting much from the pistons this year. I don't know what to say about Rasheed, he's lost it or Age has caught up with him.

You are absolutely right about Iverson coming off the bench...in fact he did that tonight...tight game but they won against Indiana who IMO are showing something...especially the mofo Grainger........Prince needs to facilitate...
I disagree about Sheed....Imo he is still a force on both ends of the floor....If they can get good "D" from Dice,Sheed...and AI is not a liability....Then The bench becomes more efective...that is if AI and Rip are hitting their shots and wearing out the opposing guards...They just got to get that shit poppin every night...and play 4 quarters of ball

 

[Thothprod]

And lebron aint coming to Detroit, We might get carlos Boozer.

Boozer works for me...or Chris Bosh

 

[QwietStorm]

SHUT YO NIGGA ASS UP. STAY YO MONKEY ASS ON THE EASTCOAST. KEEP YOUR MOUTH OUT OF OUR BUSINESS. HAVE THE KNICKS WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP BITCH THAN SPEAK.

Yea um, didn't mean to pinch a nerve, little girl. I was just making an observation. I didn't even say anything derogatory, so pull ya skirt up. And I'm not even a Knicks fan, so sit back down.

 

[Detroit's finest]

Lil Monkey Shut Yo Dark Ass Up.

 

[Spectrum]

Boozer works for me...or Chris Bosh

another cat we could have drafted. I love Joe Dumars but damn...that choice of Dark really hurts... i understand why he took that chance..but damn..i remember when we tried to trade for Carmelo..another guy would could have drafted..

 

[RunawaySlave]

The choice of Darko Milcic sucked but y'all gotta remember that Joe Dumars was still pretty new in his job at the time. We have a really bad habit of being extra hard on certain (read black) executives who are relatively new to the game while being extra lenient on others who've been doing it for decades and should know better by now.

 

[Brother Blues]

Sorry to say,but...the way Chauncy has glued Denver together...while Iverson and the Pistons have become unglued,is directly related to both players.

A.I. is a great player...but he has never been known for making those around him better.He has always been an 'unglue' guy...way back at Georgetown.
All the talent they had,Victor Page,Jahidi White,Jerome Williams,Don Reid...and never did much in the tourney.

 

[Spectrum]

The choice of Darko Milcic sucked but y'all gotta remember that Joe Dumars was still pretty new in his job at the time. We have a really bad habit of being extra hard on certain (read black) executives who are relatively new to the game while being extra lenient on others who've been doing it for decades and should know better by now.

Joe D has a series of excellent decisions. He's one of the best if not the best GMs in the league in my option ( but I'm from Detroit so I'm probably biased). But damn...i wish this was one of the decision that he got right.. with either bosh, melo, or wade, they probably get an extra two championships instead of one... especially with Bosh..i think he would have been the best "fit"...although I don't think Melo would have been the best fit( in terms of the defensive scheme of the team in the past), but we also needed as a scorer would could create is own shot... shit...all three can do that.. but i think we needed that at the 3 of 4 and bosh or melo would have been a good fit..even though Wade is definitely the best player out of the three in my opinion

 

[Spectrum]

Sorry to say,but...the way Chauncy has glued Denver together...while Iverson and the Pistons have become unglued,is directly related to both players.

A.I. is a great player...but he has never been known for making those around him better.He has always been an 'unglue' guy...way back at Georgetown.
All the talent they had,Victor Page,Jahidi White,Jerome Williams,Don Reid...and never did much in the tourney.

cosign..and I gotta think that Joe D knew this and he must have pulled the trigger on this really to be able to dump the contract and make a play in the future for a young great player because the Pistons will have mad cap space..

I know cran disagrees.. but I think the records of both teams involved is indicative of how those two differ in terms of producing a better "team"... I've never really been a big fan of Iverson..although is a great player... he's not really a point guard..he's really a shooting guard... and not really the most 'efficient' player and although he gets a lot of steals...he plays half-assed defense

 

[cranrab]

I know cran disagrees.. but I think the records of both teams involved is indicative of how those two differ in terms of producing a better "team"... I've never really been a big fan of Iverson..although is a great player... he's not really a point guard..he's really a shooting guard... and not really the most 'efficient' player and although he gets a lot of steals...he plays half-assed defense

i wrote a reply a few days ago, but $%%@^$&%^*^*% database error lost it.

i ain't typing that shit again.

in a nutshell, it said that they need a couple more weeks.

maybe the trade was a fuckup. but give it a little time before we start looking for heads to roll.

 

[Thothprod]

cosign..and I gotta think that Joe D knew this and he must have pulled the trigger on this really to be able to dump the contract and make a play in the future for a young great player because the Pistons will have mad cap space..

I know cran disagrees.. but I think the records of both teams involved is indicative of how those two differ in terms of producing a better "team"... I've never really been a big fan of Iverson..although is a great player... he's not really a point guard..he's really a shooting guard... and not really the most 'efficient' player and although he gets a lot of steals...he plays half-assed defense

I agree with both you and Cranrab...I realy don't see your views as contradicting....Yea The trade was to clear up salary space...Joe had to know losing his best facilitator would wreak havoc.....I'll say it again I hated the trade for the same reason you did....AI is NOT a PG and too many times a Defensive liability....But they did the deal so now what we got is an experiment ....that if it works could make The Pistons a team very difficult to play against......I'll even go a little further than Cranrab and give them to midseason to jive together...of course they have to win enough games to stay in contention..But if they can get that shit jelling...if they got in The playoffs in the last spot they could cause major damage and might even steal that Ring....Remember they were not at the top of the heap in 2004 and look what happened

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Well well well well well well well...

I TOLD people that once the Nuggets upgraded at the point they would be better.

I ALSO told people that Iverson and Wallace come off the books next year..that's 30 mil..

I will also say DON'T be surprised if Iverson goes back to Denver next year.

 

[Thothprod]

Well well well well well well well...

I TOLD people that once the Nuggets upgraded at the point they would be better.

I ALSO told people that Iverson and Wallace come off the books next year..that's 30 mil..

I will also say DON'T be surprised if Iverson goes back to Denver next year.

So does that mean don't be surprised if Chauncey comes back to Detroit?......Just bulshitting...no way Denver will let Mr. Bigshot go now

 

[cranrab]

Detroit Pistons

I TOLD people that once the Nuggets upgraded at the point they would be better.

c'mon RF,

that's like telling people if you put water in the freezer, they're gonna get ice cubes.

an experienced, talented player like chauncey billups running the show was definitely going to pay dividends on a team that was full of gunners up and down the lineup.

that said, i still figure the nuggets' weak spot is a spotty frontcourt. SF outrebounding both the PF and the C? that phenonmenon is not happening on the fakers or the rockets in the WORSTern conference, or with the celtics, cavaliers, or magic in the east.

EDIT: chauncey billups already has the 2nd most FGAs on the squad, so it goes to show that if the shots are the RIGHT KIND, it won't hurt you.

 

[QwietStorm]

Lil Monkey Shut Yo Dark Ass Up.

Are you a racist white boy or an ignorant fuck? Which one?

 

[flounder]

Well well well well well well well...

I TOLD people that once the Nuggets upgraded at the point they would be better.

I ALSO told people that Iverson and Wallace come off the books next year..that's 30 mil..

I will also say DON'T be surprised if Iverson goes back to Denver next year.

Man, you can't be serious! Why would Denver give even the 'slightest' thiught about bringing back AI? They already have plenty of gunners! That was one of their problems ...too many gunners, and not enough pasers. They will probably do much better this season with Chauncey at the helm.

Another subject: I'm NOT being hard on J.Dumars because he's a Black executive. Having been a Pistons' fan for many years and seeing them maintaion the so-called status quo for many seasons before they finally broke through is starting to look errily familiar. And that decision is usually made at the TOP!

As far as Joe's decision to draft M. Darko goes, he was 'blinded' Darks's height,age, and the hype that was coming from Europe. Plus, he was hoping that the Pistons veterans would be an effective influence. He probably also felt that if Darko wasn't taken at #3, another team would draft him before ther selection came back to Detroit.

Keep in mind, the Pistons were loaded with talent and thought they could afford the luxury of bringing aboard a prospect. Had that move proved positive he would have been elevated ti 'sainthood'!

Sometimes you have to be AGGRESSIVE, and take chances.

 

[Rollie_Fingaz]

Man, you can't be serious! Why would Denver give even the 'slightest' thiught about bringing back AI? They already have plenty of gunners! That was one of their problems ...too many gunners, and not enough pasers. They will probably do much better this season with Chauncey at the helm.

Because when Iverson was in Denver, he had the rock the majority of the time. When he played alongside a steady defensive minded PG (Eric Snow) they went to the Finals. THAT is all Denver needed.

 

[Bad News Brown]

Boozer works for me...or Chris Bosh

It's still an upgrade, without having to have a "rebuilding"(a.k.a. lose a shitload of games) type of year. I actually give Joe Dumars credit for the move, because I seriously doubt they were going all the way this season anyway.

 

[Ruff Ryder]

Dump Rasheed!

That sometimey MF need to pack his shit, 7 foot tall and don't hit the paint.