Isola: Signs Pointing to Iverson Acquisition
by Seth on Nov 19, 2009 9:10 AM EST
in News
33 comments
Allen Iverson will become a free agent this evening, and Frank Isola of the Daily News is under the impression that he could be a Knick very soon thereafter.
"Until something's done it's not done," Walsh said. "That's the way I've always been. If he's not signed it's not done."
It's worth remembering that Walsh used similar language days before Mike D'Antoni was hired as coach. Walsh has spent the past few days calling his inner circle of NBA friends about Iverson. One of those calls was to Larry Brown, the former Knicks coach, who was with Iverson in Philadelphia when the Sixers went to the NBA Finals.
I wouldn't call that a sure thing at all, but there certainly seems to be more interest on Walsh's part than I initially expected. I guess that, given the objects of Walsh's advances this summer, it shouldn't surprise us that he covets a 34 year-old. Isola also mentions that the Knicks won't be Iverson's only suitor; Miami is interested, and there will likely be other teams in play. In any event, my thoughts on the possibility remain the same. An Iverson signing seems like a lateral, temporary move that is unseemly and somewhat counter-productive, though not nearly as devastating as, say, signing Jason Kidd for three years would have been. To me, the continued blossoming of Toney Douglas, Danilo Gallinari, and Jordan Hill (which, mind you, requires that they all get minutes) would sell more tickets than a '90s relic eating the youngsters' minutes. I have always loved Iverson as a player, but the one-year rental of a veteran doesn't sit well with me. If Walsh feels the need to make signings, why not reach into the D-League and mine for a diamond in the rough--another piece with which to rebuild? What's Joe Crawford up to?
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I still don't see
why Iverson HIMSELF in his right mind would sign with the Knicks.
WHY?
Does his delusion that he’s a starter really outweigh how much he’d rather play for a team that actually can make the playoffs?
"It ain't over till its over"---
haha so true!
im gonna rec u. the knicks organzation and this post here seem to suggest that the knicks have the upper hand as if they are the hot date that every wants to be apart of. in my mind they would be lucky to get iverson.
they are just struggling with the problem of blowing up the team to rebuild but then not having any draft picks to reep the benefits of losing record. thats a lose lose situation. enter: iverson.
This is exactly what we need; some fresh legs!
Oh wait…
"I'll probably go get lifted right now with Greg. Hey, and come back tomorrow and try to get another win."
-Renaldo
It's hard to believe that Miami is really interested in him.
They didn’t want him over the summer – only the Grizzlies did. So why would that change now? That makes NO sense.
I also heard something about the Magic wanting him. Maybe… with Nelson hurt, that at least makes a little sense.
But at this point, it’s hard to imagine any contending team risking picking him up. And among the non-contending teams, only the Knicks have a backcourt in such disarray that it would seem to make some sense.
I think it could work, I mean, I think Iverson brings more to the table than Joe Crawford. If it was done, I’d prefer that Duhon be dropped or shipped elsewhere. It could get logjammy in there, and I’m not sure that I like Toney losing minutes.
But I don’t like Toney playing the 2 next to Duhon anyway. He should be starting at PG, but if not, he should be backing up Duhon at PG. Thinking of Iverson, I’d actually prefer him at point guard on this team as well.
I don’t know. I really just want to see Toney develop. But it’s interesting that the players all seem to be onboard with this. I think the team is in a strange situation where they need a ball hog that’s not named Al Harrington.
A large part of me likes this move, but I think I only like it if Duhon leaves the rotation entirely, or better yet leaves the team entirely. I hate logjams, especially if they prevent DWTDD.
good point
It’s a risk.. But I don’t think that Toney’s going to all of a sudden turn into a practice skipping diva just from 3/4 of a season with Iverson. Gallo, maybe. ; )
i think its a good move
if it means no more minutes for duhon
I totally agree
Chris Duhon is shooting like 28% from the field…he’s terrible! It’s not like the Knicks are going to resign him anyways after the season is over.
With Iverson and Douglas starting we give ourselves two players who can defend well. A rotation btw Douglas, A.I. and Hughes would be solid for both scoring and DEFENSE.
Eddy Curry is still kind of out of shape too but I was really impressed with his effort last night. He started getting in the face of a Pacers player when he got pushed. This guy is hungry and is giving the Knicks an enforcer in the middle. Give this guy minutes!
hmm...
as much as i’m for it, i don’t see the “toney, gallo, and hill blossoming” thing really selling tickets. this is new york city, and frankly, iverson’s name still rings bells. picture a big-time lawyer or a gordon gekko trying to woo some clients with courtside tickets to see “this guy jordan hill really developing.”
the ticket money is in iverson, the publicity is in iverson, the hype is in iverson, and i think that’s just the way it is. how many undeserving all-star bids have guys like him, vince carter, and shaq garnered? from a business standpoint, i think the knicks realize they need a “star” (emphasis on the quotation marks) asap.
of course, we pick brandon jennings, none of this has to happen. okay i’ll stop.
There is no reason that they cannot blossom with Iverson...
On the court…
We are talking (hopefully) about a loaner for a season. Toney and Iverson in the same back court is much better than Toney and Duhon in the back court. Iverson is a SG that can play PG, and the Knicks seem to want Toney as a PG that can play SG. In other words, it can work either way.
Iverson, for all his shots taken, is still a good passer and has played well as a team-player in Denver. Gallo would still be able to get his open shots and Hill can still be active underneath.
The only person that this might hurt is Wil Chandler, but I don’t expect him to make such a huge difference in the upcoming years for the Knicks, especially if NY goes after a marquee free agent or two. In fact, I would not be surprised to see him traded at some point in February or before the draft.
Off the court…
Its just good business sense to bring in a guy that can sell you tickets and get you excited for what has a chance to come. NY does need a star, even if its a 35 year old washed up, selfish one. So long he isn’t Marbury, I can’t imagine this going nearly as bad for the remainder of the season.
Iverson vs. Marbury
There are some similarities there, and neither may have the ideal personality for a point guard/floor leader, but I think Iverson has had more success because, though he’s emotionally volatile and unstable, he’s upfront and expressive. He will definitely say what’s on his mind at any time. Marbury was/is kind of inarticulate, and would just brood and stew.
At the very least
Iverson will make them interesting. I like the “Iverson’s last stand” angle. I’m not a big fan of Iverson, but I think this scenario might be a good thing for the Knicks. It’s like it just might be crazy enough to work. Though I reserve the right to change my mind in five minutes.
Forget Joe Crawford
I want Mo Nuts!
Pause.
"Dishin' and swishin' in transition"
by Serious Garbage Time on Nov 19, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions
joe crawford
is playing for the la defenders.
for those of you who say that ai isnt a starter anymore, the word “stupid” comes to mind.
Tri state info
Allen Iverson to become Knick Friday morning.
by Minorthreatinc. on Nov 19, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply actions
Heh, since I'm going to the Celtics/Knicks game on Sun 11/22
(Yes, I’m that Celtics fan, if you saw my fanpost)
If AI could be on the team by Sunday, that could make the game more worthwhile than it would would’ve been. : )
Get it done, Walsh!
no one saw your fanpost
no one cares about the celtics
by nba refs: man up on Nov 19, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
Why are you getting defensive?
The fanpost was on your (this) blog and it was about whether I could “steal” seats later in the Warriors game at MSG that I went to last Friday. And yeah..two people did reply to it.
I'm sorry Tai
but it caught me off guard and I laughed.
It was so direct and dismissive, and well, I am a sucker anytime NY goes up against the state of Massachusetts. But it was not pleasant, I agree. lol
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 19, 2009 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
that was my only intent
everyone calm down and enjoy the humor in it
by nba refs: man up on Nov 20, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
ladies and gentlemen, your 2009-2010 New York Knicks!
make sure that your 2010 free agent of choice gets this description post haste!
on the iverson thing, i’m ambivalent – don’t care either way. i’m not opposed to the idea though. could he really be worse than duhon?
by latrell chokewell on Nov 19, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
iverson
is a low-risk, high-reward play. Plus i think he’s going to get the young ones more involved than a sulky duhon is currently doing (note gallo’s shot opportunities last night. jesus). Also we dont have to pray that harrington is going to be on his A-game every night a decision is close.
With that, a guard is going to have to go, or at the very least be dropped from the significant rotation. Signs point to a benched/traded duhon or maybe a move with cryptoNate. Hughes is playing too well, plus he gets along with A.I. (played the 1 and 2 in philly together), to be brushed aside. And you know the knicks are gonna DWTDD.
Hope springs…. .500 by christmas. boosh.
i dont think nate can be traded yet
also – I love gallo (pause) but I think the dude has to learn to move better without the ball.
It could be he has grown despondent because nobody ever passes to him… but eiter way, he needs to get open more.
gallo just doesn’t know his role on the team. We shouldn’t bother with the 2010 free agency. wait one more year and trading curry and jefferies wont be a problem, plus durant and chris paul will b FA’s. myabe we can spend the year after this one with gallo as our go-to guy, see how that works. I can tell you it will be better than having harrington as the go-to guy.
by thePharcyde on Nov 19, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
see...
There is just no way that Oklahoma City will let Kevin Durant walk. They are building their team around him. Its not like they expected to do it before his rookie contract is up. Chris Paul is slightly different, but I have a feeling New Orleans wouldn’t let him walk. They would absolutely trade him if it came to it.
Bottom line is if LeBron or Dwyane become longshots to join NY, I think there is even LESS chance of Durant or Paul coming to town the next year.
by Chris Child's Fist on Nov 20, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
it is basically impossible
for them to come next year.
they have a few years left…
the important thing is to run a fiscally responsible team. This way, when great FA’s do come around, you are in a position to get them.
I think
he signed in Greece or something already.
But I’m supportive, if it could be worked out.
"Dishin' and swishin' in transition"
by Serious Garbage Time on Nov 20, 2009 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Moot
ESPN.com is reporting that Iverson to the Knicks is D-E-D, dead.
"Dishin' and swishin' in transition"
by Serious Garbage Time on Nov 20, 2009 11:14 AM EST reply actions
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4674184
twitter.com/aighttho
http://howmuchyouthink.tumblr.com/
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