Do you still want AI in our team? [Archive]

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playoffs...PLAYOFFS?

11-03-2009, 12:53 PM

We may be doing terrible right now...( though I think we will get better ). But despite this, I am glad that AI did not come to Charlotte..

With AI we probably would have still had the issues we are having now (turnovers, inside presence) and on top of that, would have had to deal with his ego

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Altnq7B7rnx3T7dYpHaMhFK8vLYF?slug=mc-iversongrizzlies110309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

KT#20

11-03-2009, 01:03 PM

That would be a resounding yes for me.

teej

11-03-2009, 01:04 PM

With LB around he wouldn't be bitching. And he would've started over Raja.

Walt Cronkite

11-03-2009, 01:34 PM

Definitely. Don't think he could've made our offense look worse than it has without him, but I see how others could think so.

It's for the best, though. DJ will get killer burn this way.

Dcarnys

11-03-2009, 01:36 PM

If he's available next year and Raja's gone maybe.

CatNation

11-03-2009, 03:45 PM

maybe the AI memphis thing will fall apart and we can get him in a trade and get rid of one of our crappy contracts to boot. get it done mj

Chef

11-03-2009, 03:51 PM

docend24

11-03-2009, 04:42 PM

Definitely. Don't think he could've made our offense look worse than it has without him, but I see how others could think so.

It's for the best, though. DJ will get killer burn this way.

Well what if we suck as we did first half against Nets even with him? Sometimes is better not to know how things would went and have a sanctuary of "well, you know if ..." hope.

I was rather among nay sayers than otherwise anyway.

Black

11-03-2009, 04:43 PM

I absolutely want still want him on the Bobcats.

Walt Cronkite

11-03-2009, 04:45 PM

i prefer that we risk our season on having to hold our opponents under 78 pts per game to have a chance at winning. AI was not the answer for us, but we are a terrible team right now. we need scoring, and if gerald spends more time at the 4 he won't be around to see his first all-star game.

This board would be so much positive if it was Iverson on the wings with an injury instead of Flip. I like Flip as a poor man's Iverson, but he's just that, an imitation of the real thing. Flip benefitted a season ago from being surrounded by a lot of offensive threats. Being able to have success when defenses are more keyed in to his movements this year will be an accomplishment, but he's a big time fluke candidate.

Walt Cronkite

11-03-2009, 04:52 PM

Well what if we suck as we did first half against Nets even with him? Sometimes is better not to know how things would went and have a sanctuary of "well, you know if ..." hope.

I was rather among nay sayers than otherwise anyway.

Then the story is that we gambled on a hall of fame player making our putrid offense better and limited the risk by already having a coach that has had success with him, who seemingly wanted to coach him. We could still suck offensively, just like we may suck on offense when Boris, TC, Raja and Flip are at full strength.

The difference is the reward. You can't suggest 25+ppg from Flip Murray and not risk being admitted, but Iverson did that on the best %s of his career the last time he was in a solid environment. You combine that to a top 5 defensive efficiency and almost anything is possible.

BETCATS

11-03-2009, 05:00 PM

i didnt realize somebody else made a thread about this!:D

I just made one, but seeing this exsists i guess their was no point to it. Anyway, to quote myself:

Iverson is unhappy, and it is his fault. He chose Memphis and another 3 guard rotation over us. Look where it got him....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Au_IXrM_XCypWyliFFNyCkC8vLYF?slug=mc-iversongrizzlies110309&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Allen Iverson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3094/;_ylt=Ahri2N3aJUZ4e0R4kwGdS7JzK7J_)(notes) (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3094/news;_ylt=Ag1KOlJTVEU4CCDvU5M_8m5zK7J_) made his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/mem/;_ylt=ApERReqfskUwliNqLXQk51pzK7J_) on Monday, and it went about as expected.
He spent much of the night on the sideline. And he wasn’t happy about it.

Nor, it seems, was his rear.

“I had a problem with my butt from sitting on the bench so long,” Iverson said. “That’s the only thing I had a problem with.”

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/10313810/Martin-scores-48-as-Kings-edge-Grizzlies-in-OT

Allen Iverson was as upset after his first game with the Grizzlies. After missing the first three games while recovering from a partial right hamstring tear, Iverson played only briefly as a reserve, scoring 11 points in less than 18 minutes.

He said he had no problems with his hamstring, but had a big problem with the playing time he got from coach Lionel Hollins.

"Go look at my resume and that will show you that I'm not a sixth man," Iverson said. "I don't think it has anything to do with me being selfish. It's just who I am. I don't want to change what gave me all the success that I've had since I've been in this league

He could only get 18 minutes in a game that went to overtime?

He has fallen off. I am saddened to see this. And the fact he went to Memphis, a team with too many scorers and no defenders, over us a team with too many defenders and no scorers angers me. What a waste

ND22

11-03-2009, 05:17 PM

Everyone was saying it, Charlotte was the best fit for him, even he made suggestions of wanting to come here. But Bob said no, it would put us over the luxury tax. Lets give them Diop and Flip for him and get this guy where he belongs.

ziggy

11-03-2009, 05:27 PM

34 year old, undersized, low fg% shooting guard who has lost at least a step and a half?

I'll pass.

BobcatsAllDay

11-03-2009, 06:03 PM

DJ is playing Allen's role right now (a scoring threat off the bench) and doing just fine. AI never understood the team concept and this team would not be a great place for him to learn. I can see where he could help but ultimately I can see where he could hurt too.

Mustachio

11-03-2009, 07:11 PM

ticket sales and scoring. yeah we dont need either of those.

We didnt break 100 points in a double overtime game.
We didnt crack 80 last home game.

yes.

Walt Cronkite

11-03-2009, 08:51 PM

??? Final score against the Knicks was 102-100.

davcbow

11-03-2009, 09:56 PM

The name of the game is to out score your opponent no matter the score...:cool:

Chef

11-03-2009, 10:25 PM

very true and spoken like a true little league coach. it is a little disheartening that we can't score more against the worst defensive team in the league with an extra 10 minutes of playing time.

ALuhrs704

11-03-2009, 11:21 PM

I really think it wouldnt be too hard to get richard hamiliton and him adn jordan were close in washington. but id take AI if i had to we need pts we cant keep scoring so low.

Ghost Kat

11-04-2009, 12:21 AM

We didnt break 100 points in a double overtime game.

yes.

Quote of the year candidate

Fred Williamson

11-04-2009, 01:29 AM

Even with AI on our team, we wouldn't score more than 80 points per game. In case some of you guys didn't know, if you want to score, you gotta make shots. And I doubt that a 34year old, undersized low fg% shooting guard would provide this.

Oh,and some of you guys were complaining about our defense against pick & roll plays. Now imagine Felton und Iverson in the same backcourt :facepalm:

davcbow

11-04-2009, 01:38 AM

If we had AI on our team, people would be wanting to trade him for a J-Rich type shooter....:cool:

Chef

11-04-2009, 10:44 AM

here's what we should do

Kevin Martin$9,680,170 19.3
SG 4 Years

S. Rodriguez$1,576,696 12.5
PG 1 Year
Acquiring 2 Players
$11,256,866
Hollinger's Analysis: +17 Wins

With this trade you have increased this team's projected wins by 17.

Sacramento Kings
Payroll
$98,489,489
Cap Room
-$40,789,489
PlayerSalary PER

N. Mohammed$6,466,600 7.7
C 2 Years

Raja Bell$5,250,000 10.7
SG 1 Year

Acquiring 2 Players
$11,716,600
Hollinger's Analysis: -17 Wins
With this trade you have decreased this team's projected wins by 17.

plus our first round draft pick this year or next depending on the denver thing

GoBobs

11-04-2009, 11:36 AM

We need someone who can create an easy shot for themself or someone else. We need someone to get a basket halfway through the quater when we only have 5 pts. AI is better than anyone we have now. He makes us better than flip does. He wants to win a championship while everyone else on our team would be satisfied if we get swept in the first round. Get a deal done.

BRNC

11-04-2009, 11:46 AM

Chef...you can't trade consecutive first round picks....as for the AI thing...I've never wanted him on our team and still don't want him...as for trades this year...I think the crap trades that brought Diop and Vlad have killed any ability we would have had to make a solid move...if a trade is made this year (don't kid yourself) we'll have to trade a good player (not just expiring Raja) to get any quality back...and I seriously doubt anyone in the league wants Vlad or Diop at the moment...just my opinion...

Chef

11-04-2009, 01:12 PM

well, crap. we have no leverage to trade, unless it is boris. we can't trade ray because we stupidly did not sign him or trade him last year. we can't trade crash, he is the heart of the team (unless we were starting over which larry won't do), we can't trade tyson. we could trade dj, but i don't think we should.

docend24

11-05-2009, 05:17 PM

The name of the game is to out score your opponent no matter the score...:cool:

1-0 from technical foul shot for the win! ;)

docend24

11-05-2009, 05:20 PM

Now imagine Felton und Iverson in the same backcourt :facepalm:

Nein to Iverson;)

davcbow

11-05-2009, 07:04 PM

1-0 from technical foul shot for the win! ;)

Now that would be 1 heck of a defensive battle...:biggrin:

davcbow

11-05-2009, 07:07 PM

teej

11-05-2009, 10:16 PM

Id rather trade "Mr Turn Over"....

We can't without his permission.

docend24

11-06-2009, 01:43 PM

Now that would be 1 heck of a defensive battle...:biggrin:
With replacement refs and throwers like Ganas and Shaqs on court (with possible improvement - hack a shaq strategy)... well maybe not.

davcbow

11-06-2009, 05:37 PM

With replacement refs and throwers like Ganas and Shaqs on court (with possible improvement - hack a shaq strategy)... well maybe not.

Final score 2-1....:biggrin:

amour217

11-08-2009, 12:00 PM

Memphis' Midget Malcontent? No thanks!

Keetch

11-08-2009, 08:11 PM

Of course, of course. We were smart to not 'just' sign him before the season. Now we have an opportunity to trade Diop or Radman for him. LB is a Genious.

GOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL LLL!!!!!!!!! :biggrin:

WarioVsMooChicken

11-09-2009, 02:12 AM

Diop for Iverson as opposed to just getting Iverson is a better deal for us...

jdsingar

11-09-2009, 09:09 AM

Would anybody actually take Diop of Rad's contract? I'm guessing the Grizzlies would be better off cutting Iverson than taking on either of those guys.

Ampsportsduo

11-09-2009, 10:17 AM

I really think it wouldnt be too hard to get richard hamiliton and him adn jordan were close in washington. but id take AI if i had to we need pts we cant keep scoring so low.

Jordan traded Rip... to make room for himself.

As for AI, this confirms what a lot of us thought, he's still selfish, regardless of his tweets. As for Flip being a poor man's AI, people are right, the difference is at this point AI is a poor old man's AI.

rsxnova

11-09-2009, 05:41 PM

I would still take a gamble on AI if he goes on the market.

Scottley Crue

11-09-2009, 09:01 PM

Jordan traded Rip... to make room for himself.

As for AI, this confirms what a lot of us thought, he's still selfish, regardless of his tweets. As for Flip being a poor man's AI, people are right, the difference is at this point AI is a poor old man's AI.
I had wanted him here on the cheap, but wow...I didn't expect someting like this. It's only been what, two/three weeks since the season started? This is just insane. Even if LB would start him, he was talking about not being in for rebuilding and being in it for a championship...he's not getting a ring here or Memphis this year. I knew he could be hard-headed, but never fully understood how thick his dome was until now.

Demon DeaCat

11-09-2009, 09:20 PM

Call me crazy, but I still think AI could be a great addition IF it was the right situation. Memphis wasn't that situation, so it's no real surprise it isn't working out there. It was obvious after what happened in Detroit that coming off the bench and playing limited minutes wasn't going to fly with AI. But a team that needed offensive fire power and didn't have a future all-star shooting guard could have been the perfect fit. Sound like anyone we know?

I'm not saying I don't like what we have, but Raja is not OJ Mayo. I know the euphoria of the ATL game is still fresh on our minds, but the truth is Raja is probably going to have more games like he had against Chi than like ATL. A motivated AI is an offensive upgrade IMO. We'll never know, and it's an even tougher sell in light of recent events, but I still think it could have worked.

Even though that didn't happen though, I will say that signing Flip for dirt cheap was a great move by the FO. Flip definitely makes me feel a little better about us passing on AI, but we still aren't a great offensive team.

teej

11-09-2009, 09:22 PM

I would trade Gana for AI just to get rid of Gana...

rsxnova

11-09-2009, 11:53 PM

I would trade Gana for AI just to get rid of Gana...

I would trade any of our bad contracts for him and go home happy.

BRNC

11-09-2009, 11:58 PM

I have to say (IMO) that L. Hollins is one of the coaches that talks straight with players...and has had a few "problem" players to deal with in his career...

http://blogs.commercialappeal.com/the_memphis_edge/2009/11/the-allen-iverson-saga-just-asking.html

...and I would take his word in a heart beat before I would take AIs word...I do not believe for a minute that Hollins was not clear with AI...and I for one would not want him on our team for any reason...even to get rid of Diop...

rsxnova

11-10-2009, 12:08 AM

BRNC

11-10-2009, 12:13 AM

well yes...but that assumes Memphis will not just cut him and come out ahead...

SWedd523

11-10-2009, 12:14 AM

We could trade for AI, cut him and come out ahead.
This. We could basically eat his contract and still save 15-20 million

Dcarnys

11-10-2009, 07:48 AM

I'm just tired of this right now. Ill just leave this here
http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2009/11/10/129023304967041414.jpg

BobCatsFanInTx

11-10-2009, 11:59 PM

Many Memphis Grizzlies fans on that link were siding with AI. They said AI is a veteran and is better than any young guard they got starting so why should he not start? If not start then give him decent minutes.

AI is a cry baby ego maniac but at the same time I can understand AI feeling disrespected by not getting quality minutes on the floor. There are guys who come off the bench who get close to starters minutes. Why should AI not at the least be more involved to start the season as opposed to getting scrub minutes?

If AI is supposed to earn the right to start than why has Hollins not communicated that with AI? Was AI aware that he was going to ride the pine on a bad Memphis Grizzlies team where he would be given no real opportunity as a competitor to help the team win?

Even though AI can be a bit of a whiner he has a point. I think the main issue for AI is that Hollins never took the time to communicate what AI's role on the team was going to be to start.

If AI believes that his role on the Grizzlies is to come off the bench the whole season with no hope of earning a chance to start I can see him being mad.

People tend to forget that AI was not a bad player in Denver. I am a fan of the Nuggets as well and I don't think AI got used to playing second and sometimes the third scoring option. Yes that goes to ego. Of coarse it is AI's ego that drove him to be the player he was. He could have given his ego a rest when it warranted but to eliminate that would be foolish.

The great thing about AI is that he can take over a game and get his teammates to play better as a result. He can still put a dagger in an opponents heart. On a good team with the likes of Carmelo Anthony he should have played as the second option and worked within the system. However AI was used to being the man for a long time. He took the 76ers to the Finals by being the top dog on that team. He wants to be surrounded by talent but that talent should work to compliment him rather than he complimenting the other players around him.

On a talented team needing a scoring threat that can carry a team through bad stretches AI would be the perfect fit. I always felt that AI would have been well suited to Charlotte because Larry Brown knows AI and would utilize AI in a way that AI would be the consistent scorer the Bobcats needed. The Bobcats lack a few important pieces to be a real threat to make the playoffs. 1. A strong PF with a low post presence, solid rebounding and a defensive threat 2. A consistent offensive scoring threat that can keep the team in games when it is not shooting well or producing offence as a team. AI is a guy who scores enough ppg even at this stage in his career that he can ease a teams struggles during rough stretches. He is consistent enough to do that.

If AI lacks anything at this stage I would say it is more his decision making than his skill set. He is also about two steps slower. Still he is good enough to make the right team better. I always felt our Bobcats with coach Brown was the perfect fit.

We shall see how the drama plays out in Memphis. AI deserves to retire with some respect and decency given him by whoever he plays for. He is on a team that sucks and sitting on the bench has to be hard for him. He is better than those he sits behind. If Memphis wants to grow it's young players it is not fair for AI to take a back seat for that.

Detroit did much the same thing to AI. Treated him like a fossil and made him play behind weaker young players. He deserves to be where some fresh faced kid is not going to get a ton of minutes while he rides the pine.

teej

11-11-2009, 12:02 AM

^This.

Only problem is, he'd be in only a marginally better situation here in regards to PT...

BobCatsFanInTx

11-11-2009, 12:11 AM

^This.

Only problem is, he'd be in only a marginally better situation here in regards to PT...Actually I think he would get every chance to start in Charlotte with the Bobcats. For one thing the Bobcats are not a team just making the excuse that they are going to suck so they can "grow their younger players"!! The Bobcats want to win now and they believe they can make a playoff run. AI fits a need for the Bobcats and if the team finds it needs offense "which at this point is seems to", AI fills that need. AI has said that coach Brown is the best coach he ever played for. That is some serious respect coming from AI. Sure he and Larry had their issues but what successful coach and star player don't?

AI is not the answer in Charlotte but he sure could be a significant piece to the puzzle.

It won't happen but if it did I think Charlotte would be the perfect fit for AI.

davcbow

11-11-2009, 01:45 AM

Actually I think he would get every chance to start in Charlotte with the Bobcats. For one thing the Bobcats are not a team just making the excuse that they are going to suck so they can "grow their younger players"!! The Bobcats want to win now and they believe they can make a playoff run. AI fits a need for the Bobcats and if the team finds it needs offense "which at this point is seems to", AI fills that need. AI has said that coach Brown is the best coach he ever played for. That is some serious respect coming from AI. Sure he and Larry had their issues but what successful coach and star player don't?

AI is not the answer in Charlotte but he sure could be a significant piece to the puzzle.

It won't happen but if it did I think Charlotte would be the perfect fit for AI.

The funny thing about all this AI talk is I don't see him or heard anyone offering him to anyone (yet)...:cool:

BobCatsFanInTx

11-11-2009, 02:43 PM

Fairly or unfairly, AI has been blacklisted. I think part of it is on AI but not as much as has been made out by the stupid press. The press is as responsible for AI's tarnished image as anything. They see an opportunity for a good story and they run with it whether they are factual or fair does not matter.

We have all heard a great deal about the Pistons and the Grizzlies so called side of the story but little has been played up by the press on AI's side of the story.

With both the Pistons and the Grizzlies AI found himself in losing situations with teams that felt they needed to grow. AI was set to be the bench warming good guy who would help younger players grow for the betterment of his teams. For a guy that has been a winner all his life and has been a focal point of every team he has played for that is a tough pill to swallow.

So while I think AI should be resigned to come off the bench he should not be forced to do so in a losing situation. He found himself with a Detroit team that had a coach who had no clue as the team took a major step backwards from Flip Saunders and Larry Brown. He sure as hell was not a key contributor there while the team was going in reverse quickly. The Pistons squeaked their way into a low seed last season but let's face it they were lucky to do that.

Now AI see's the writing on the wall. He realizes he is in a similar situation is Memphis but only worse. This time he is on a team with no hopes of making the playoffs and he can't even try to give some good fortune to the team and teach the youngsters while playing solid minutes on the floor. AI deserves better than that and because of the way he was treated in Detroit he is seen as a cancer.

AI was not the main man in Denver but he played within the system to the best of his ability and did not rock the boat. He was traded because Denver knew that it was not an ideal situation for he and Carmelo Anthony. It was not as if AI sucked in Denver he just did not fit a need. Billups worked out.

AI could have had a good stay in Detroit but the Pistons had a Fine Ham Biscuit type head coach last year and as it turned out not long after AI was made scape goat the Pistons fired their truly in over his head head coach.

So yes AI has been a bit of a Prima Dona but what is happening to him now is not all on him. I would venture to say that a man who has given as much as AI has to the league deserves a bit of respect and at least a fair shake when it comes to what he can or can't do on a basketball court. If he gets the opportunity and blows it then he surely should give up being a starter and should lose some playing time. With his pedigree and what he has done he does deserve some special treatment. He should be starting for whoever he plays for. If he can't cut the mustard then he surely should lose favored status but not when he first comes on a team.

AI has never been a practice player but he did not and does not need to be. He made and makes up for that with his game play. So if some practice mad coach can not see that AI should not play for said coach.

BobCatsFanInTx

11-23-2009, 04:06 PM

I AM THE THREAD KILLER!!!! Muahahaha