Dec.9 at 5:17 am

MDShuai says:
AI and PP on the same team? Would it work? I don’t think it’s possible to have two guys on one team averaging 30 pts a game, or at least close to it in P Double’s case. But the Celtics would suddenly get a lot better, at least offensively.

Dec.9 at 8:30 am

luckyluciano says:
I was thinkin along the same lines, how are they going to work things out between PP and AI? I reckon the Minnestora trade is also a bit unstable- how long is it going to take the team to play effectively, they arent spring chickens anymore AI and KG, is it worth reorganising ur whole team on ageing stars? How really cares, i’ll follow AI where ever he goes and no matter what, he’ll make any team better.

Dec.9 at 9:51 am

scott says:
Seeing how my favorite team is Boston I’m not so sure I want Iverson on the team. It depends on who Boston is giving up. I don’t want to see them give up on young prospects too quick like Gerald Greene and Al Jefferson. Already down that road see Joe Johnson and Chauncy Billups. I don’t think Pierce and Iverson would mesh very well. Iverson has never played well with another star. Stackhouse and Hughes were much better not playing with AI. Finally if Boston sucks bad enough to get the first pick this summer and land Oden they will be set for the next decade. I would rather take my chances on landing Greg Oden then trading for AI.

Dec.9 at 10:02 am

Francesco Scola says:
Gerald Green is “untouchable” says Ainge to David Aldridge last night. Then — no joke — Delonte West. Then Rondo. These are the crown jewels. Everyone else is available.

Dec.9 at 11:15 am

thesubwayconnection says:
What the f*** is up with Jim Gray? Do all black people look alike to him? HOW is that even possible? Did another guy with thirty tattoos and cornrows walk right up to him and say, “Hey. My name is Allen, and I don’t belong in Philly.”

Dec.9 at 11:31 am

Ron says:
It is a sad day in Philadelphia sports history. I really don’t care where they trade AI, just make sure you more than Jeff Hornacek, Tim Perry, and Andrew Lang. That trade of Barkley to Phoenix for those three set the franchise back 5 yrs until we got AI in the ‘96 draft, and then we had to wait another 3yrs after that. Please get some kind of value and a pick.

Dec.9 at 12:10 pm

Lang Whitaker says:
Subway, I’m sure he got on the phone and someone faked the voice. I’m kind of hoping a blogger comes out and admits it was them.

Dec.9 at 1:20 pm

Matt, your friendly Bulls Blogger says:
Sam Smith brought up a good trading partner, Memphis. If they can figure that the crowds Iverson brings offsets the salary crunch, they have Eddie Jones expiring deal, which is a far better contract to aquire than Foyle or Ratliff. Also could offer Lowry and Warrick

Dec.9 at 1:35 pm

albie1kenobi says:
why did 6ers wait to be backed all the way in the corner? it’s such a sad divorce. seeing fans put up signs like “allen please stay” breaks your heart. they should have done something in the summer instead. at least the exit is a little more graceful.
i’m hoping he’d be at minnesota, but at the same time i still can’t quite imagine him not being in a sixers uni. that’s just too weird. it’s like kobe not wearing the lakers gold.

Dec.9 at 1:35 pm

Max Airington says:
Kobe would never play with Jim’s emotions like that. And after a sound night’s sleep, I hope Billy King is dumb enough to keep AI out East.

Dec.9 at 1:43 pm

J R says:
Im i wolves fan and thats what I’ve been tryin to tell people. Unless KG was part of the deal (wich wont happen) they dont have any other monster contracts to balance the deal out. They would have to trade like three or four people just for Iverson. And I dont see why they would part with Foye. All he does is come in in the 4th quarter and win them games.

Dec.9 at 1:43 pm

Justin H says:
2 Things Allen Has To Do To Win A Title… 1. Stop Hoggin the ball tryin to get 30 pts. a game.
2. Start Being A team player and get everyone envolved, then When its time try to score thirty a game.
Now Dont get me wrong, I’m A Bid A.I. Fan, But Last night I saw that he wasnt playin with the 76ers and I also noticed how Eveyones dissin C-Webb. Webber Had 21 pts last night instead of his lowest avg in the NBA of 10 pts per game, Do You Know Why? Because Iverson Wasnt there to take his avg 30 shots a game. Not Saying That Iverson shouldnt shoot and not saying hes a ball hog, but basketball is a team sport not a sport where one man beats the other five on the other team and has his teamates watch him play.

Dec.9 at 1:43 pm

Max Airington says:
Why doesnt Chicago admit that their youth movement ultimately wont be that effective and trade for AI? Dont they still have PJ’s expiring contract? Trade him, Hinrich and Gordon for AI. You know what theyd have? An exact replica of the 2001 76ers who ran through a watered down Eastern Conference and got Chuck an MVP. They are already established as a defensive team and AI would bring in 30ppg and tons of easy buckets for the offensively inept Ben Wallace. Do it. Al I love you man, but stay the hell out of my Conference. It’s deep enough already.

Dec.9 at 1:47 pm

Max Airington says:
Oh, and the inevitable “We talkin bout headbands?” Press conference would make my year. Could Scott Skiles handle Wallace and Iverson? Im dying to see. Stay East young man!

Dec.9 at 1:52 pm

Ryu says:
It’s gonna be hard to trade AI. He is a one man army, and the poitive influence on any team is not guaranteed. I’m sure the telephone lines in Isiah’s office are burning

Dec.9 at 2:14 pm

Ryan Jones says:
JIM MOTHERF*CKING GRAY.

Dec.9 at 2:16 pm

Ryan Jones says:
Lang, I like your Golden State idea, although to make that a really dope trade they should figure out a way to get Webber there too. Chris and Don together again, Allen making peace between them, Troy Murphy showing them the good weed spot…

Dec.9 at 2:25 pm

Will Lee says:
honestly, wherever he goes, he’s not going to increase the W. Did +Webber helps? Look at his robins, stackhouse, hughes, all are solid players in the league. He can’t team up with Baron Davis, not KG, not any other stars cuz he’ll eat up their games too. I like Iverson, before he entered the NBA. But the way he plays, the attitude, the late practice nowadays, I am sure I don’t want him as my teammate even on my high school squad. Just look at him in ASG and USA team, he eats everyone. Maybe sixers trading him for 3+ solid players will make them out of the bottom. But whoever gets him, watchout, he might fuck your coach, your other star, or your GM, and yeah, he doesn’t practise

Dec.9 at 2:36 pm

Celtic Fan says:
Gstate doesn’t have what it takes to make the trade IMO.
Foyle still has 4 yrs left at 38 mil
b-davis has 3 yrs left, but do you want to ditch baron for AI? Baron runs a team better IMO.
they won’t want ot part with Monta, they did that once when they had a dude named Gilbert..
Celts could do it, but they still will be weak up front and that will doom their success in the playoffs. Better to suck this year and hope for oden.
FYI PP and AI can play together, look at what Paul did with Employee #8 Dallas is intriguing but why mess with a finals team?
Pheonix, can’t give up the big 3, but if they can deal anyone else.. go for it.
AI is most likely asking for a playoff contender.
what about young Orlando?? they have the salaries to trade and the young talent.
would be interesting to say the least.

Dec.9 at 3:06 pm

416 says:
raptors?

Dec.9 at 3:17 pm

Jake Appleman says:
Nice update. Appleson will be in Jersey tonight, calling Jim Gray 11 times an hour.

Dec.9 at 3:41 pm

Francesco Scola says:
Lang’s a good guy and works hard but he doesn’t know much about the league. Dirk is the best catch-and-shoot player in the L right now. Otherwise it’s 2-dribble drives or pull-ups. He doesn’t dominate the ball whatsoever. Which is why he’s so special. But that is a moot point. AI would never agree to go to GS, and he will ultimately decide where he goes, like Shaq, like T-Mac … Philly will send him where he wants to go, and he will NOT play in the western conference. This isn’t a 3rd rate player like Steph or Vince, who got shopped to teams that came in with the best financial offers. This is a first ballot hofamer in his prime. He will be afforded the chance to determine his fate: and he has the power to say no if it’s not acceptable. 5-6 teams in the east are 1 move away from being possibly conference finalists. This is the truth. He knows it. AI can’t crack Dallas, SA, Phoenix or Houston … even with KG or Melo. Dallas as mentioned will not go for Allen, but not the reasons of compatability with Diggler. Chi-city, Cleveland (oh yeah) and Boston are the only three teams in with a shout. By Friday Ainge may have secured both AI and Jermain O’Neal to play with PP. That would be, to quote Bobbito, “a nice yummy tasty treat …”

Dec.9 at 4:06 pm

Patrick says:
i feel like isiah is sitting in his office at the garden salivating right now. the team has a crowded rotation, maybe they could trim some of the fat for AI (Marbury)

Dec.9 at 4:14 pm

Chris O'Leary says:
The Jim Gray thing: completely hilarious. How do you let that happen? If Iverson goes to Minny, Denver, Phoenix, whoever, he’s gonna have to change his game and I don’t think he’s willing or capable. I really like the idea of him going to Chicago. If AI’s gonna play with a superstar, it has to be someone like Ben Wallace, who will be willing to just rebound all the shots Iverson’s going to take. Also, if you’re Sixers’ management and you’re thinking about dealing Iverson to a team that you’ll see four times a season, you’re a fool.

Dec.9 at 4:18 pm

Lang Whitaker says:
First of all, it’s Jermaine, not “Jermain.” Besides, I didn’t say Dirk “dominates the ball,” I said he needs the ball in his hands to be successful, meaning his main value to Dallas is as a scorer, not as a rebounder or creator. Thinking more about the situation, the real wild card in all of this is Billy King. He’s made enough terrible moves that it’s really hard to put any logic around where they’ll send him. I’m also willing to bet that AI doesn’t get a say in where they trade him. Don’t think there’s any way Cleveland is involved — they don’t have a first round pick this year (thanks to Jiri Welsch), Drew Gooden is a Base Year guy (which makes him difficult to move) and Big Zzz… has a trade kicker in his deal. Unless Philly wants Larry Hughes back… And if Fingers Ainge adds “Jermain” O’Neal and AI by Friday, I’ll give you your own column, Francesco.

Dec.9 at 5:59 pm

Cheez says:
anyone seen a clip of Jim Gray’s “apology” online yet? I saw it live and was hoping to share it with people via youtube or something, but was shocked to see it wasn’t posted yet.

Dec.9 at 7:05 pm

Tamer says:
What about Iverson to NJ, for Vince or for Jefferson? Kidd/AI duo… I like!

Dec.9 at 7:20 pm

AI 4eva says:
AI should not be traded! He is my fav playa and it just wouldn’t be right seeing him sumwhere utha than Philly!

Dec.9 at 8:19 pm

luckyluciano says:
Imagen if he got an NFL contract and fuked off the NBA- i bet he would do it too..

Dec.9 at 9:09 pm

AI to Dallas says:
Interesting take on the AI trading spree. A few inconsistencies, however. Whit, you claimed Boston seems like the most viable option, then in your closing argumentation, you claim that YOU wouldn’t trade Iverson to any Eastern Conference team (adding “especially to the Celtics” would suffice). King would be an idiot to trade Iverson to the Celtics. Yeah, Pierce and Iverson, together, versus the Sixers for at least the next two seasons? Not going to happen. The Twolves cannot afford to deal all their young talent. They will gut their team, which, even after acquiring Allen, will not help they contend for a championship. Sure, they make the playoffs, but they will be stuck with a first or second round exit for the next two seasons, AND having a killer payroll. KG may want Iverson on the team, but there’s no way Minny can justify the cost when they KNOW that AI and KG are not enough to win in the Western Conference. Also, you claim Dirk and AI would be a poor duo, citing “needing the ball” as measure of effectiveness for both players. And…KG wouldn’t? The same theory would apply to KG, really. KG gets maybe 2-4 points off offensive rebounds? Dirk and AI would mesh fine. Dallas would finally see the return to an effective pick and roll, pick and pop situation - something that neither Terry nor Harris can grasp. Dirk is so efficient that he doesn’t need THAT many shots. He’s usually in the range of 15-20 field goal attempts a game, about 7-8 free throw attempts. Iverson would have plenty of shots, and Dirk would get his. In fact, like Terry and Howard, AI would benefit from playing next to Dirk. And, obviously, Dirk would benefit from AI’s presence and keen penetration ability. Dallas has the financial pieces and young talent to offer the Sixers. We might even see Dalembert’s contract moved to Dallas, which would finalize the deal–Dallas absorbing one of the Sixer’s bad contracts, making their Stack and Croshere expiring contracts that much more attractive. Plus, they’d net Harris and Ager and Diop — all young talent at a cheap price. No team is going to offer another all-star for Iverson. Why should they? The Sixers have their back against the wall. This will be a similar situation to Rasheed Wallace’s departure from Portland. The teams bidding for Iverson are making the rules, not the other way around. Iverson will only be sought after to join a team that already has an all-star player, not substract one to, then, add the new one.
Portland is an intriguing possibility, but with all the problems they’ve had, they might be hesitant to pull the trigger on this deal. They finally cleansed the franchise of problem players, and now…they are going to take a chance on another one? No, especially when it means gutting their youthful roster for a 2 year player. In those two years can Randolph, Jack, and AI get a trophy (Aldridge and Roy and Magloire gone in the trade)? No. So, basically, Portland trades away the future for the playoffs, but no real contention. Same issue for Minny. Dallas is the best deal out there. And Cuban might land Iverson rather cheap, considering Iverson is an MVP player. Harris, Ager, Stack (expiring contract), and Croshere (expiring contract) should get the deal done.

Dec.9 at 11:55 pm

Kdubb says:
hahaha. Hey Max, “We’re talkin’ bout headbands man…I mean, we’re talkin’ bout headbands. We’re talkin’ bout headbands…We’re talkin’ bout headbands…”
Also, I know Cleveland wouldn’t happen but they say the only piece missing in Cleveland is a pg. Although it would be interesting to see the compatability of AI and Lebron.
As for Dallas, I would just feel bad for Jet Terry if he was traded. He’s blown up in Dallas, it would be sad to see him leave.
As for Phoenix, “maaaaan, you’re f*cking up the rotation”. That would be a disaster.

Dec.10 at 12:36 am

luckyluciano says:
nearly every team in the league has a superstar on it, inevitably AI is going to have to learn how to work with one when he moves- i’ve already began trialing him on different teams on NBA 07, he does great things for Boston and Min, but most effectively with Dallas.

Dec.10 at 2:00 am

albie1kenobi says:
i’m with Max here. i actually tested out the theory at nba 2k7. iverson for hinrich, gordon, pj brown’s contract. bulls have a good balance depth but no superstar. bringing 3 near all star players for 1 superstar isn’t too far a step backward. bulls’ bench is deep enough to absorb the decrease of rotation. sixers will get more talents at the guard position. an another reason why it should work is bulls is known for good defense, so adding an offensive juggernaut on a team makes sense. it’s like having a great shield, and now acquiring a sharp sword. everyone now just plays off AI. whether it’s easy shots or offensive rebounds, they can help out scoring that way. hinrich and gordon are good fits in philly too. they will finally have a good distributing point guard in captain kirk, and retain that quick go-to small guard in gordon to close out games. webber will get to play high post, creating easy shots for all the cuts from guards. bulls should go for a title now. ben wallace is only gonna get older, so is AI. 6ers in turn becomes a near playoff team. it works out well for both teams. now just throw in players to make the salary work. (i admit i was all for AI to be with KG. but that move will decimate the already weak roster. there’s no way they can do much in the west with just them two. even if they are quality hustle defensive players. they won’t have enough talent to do big damage in playoff. MN is screwed.)

Dec.10 at 2:22 am

KG+AI says:
=CHAMPIONS! i dont care if their is no bench those 2 got a lot of heart and will to win!

Dec.10 at 3:17 am

dj says:
max:
you’re a genius. AI to chicago works perfectly on basketball terms. I just can’t see it happening with the management on both sides. But …we can dream

Dec.10 at 4:29 am

Fire_Isiah says:
How is this Miami trade injury prone Shaq for scoring wizard AI send J Will or ‘Toine or both to anyone for any reasonable centre. Imagine that Flash and AI in the backcourt. People will need to tape games and put them on slow to see them clearly. Another Chip to the heat and no aging shaq to fill their cap. Then again AI is a point gaurd so don’t rule out Isiah trading Eddie Curry and Q for AI.

Dec.10 at 4:37 am

Phila says:
how about AI to the nuggets? for andre miller and jr smith

Dec.10 at 11:55 am

Herbert says:
I just hope that AI wins a championship for his hall of fame career.

Dec.10 at 5:00 pm

Tamer says:
Check this: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=539~549~617~2027~255~509~2782~1002~366~11~351~825&teams=18~18~20~20~10~13~20~10~18~20~13~20 It’s all good, except that Lakers get screwed !

Dec.10 at 5:18 pm

There's no AI in Mavericks says:
okay, maybe there is. Still… Iverson in Dallas’ offense? No way. Who really came up with this idea? Having hit a new all time low with the Knicks, it sounds like Zeke is sending anonymous emails to try to sabotage other teams.
Don’t confuse me for a fan of anything related to Beantown, ever, but there is a poetic justice in The Answer and The Truth joining forces in the same backcourt. Besides, if Pierce can make Chubby Chucker (Walker) look like an all star, imagine what he’d do for AI! That’s the answer and the truth.

Dec.10 at 6:10 pm

There's no AI in Mavericks says:
okay, maybe there is. Still… Iverson in Dallas’ offense? No way. Who really came up with this idea? Having hit a new all time low with the Knicks, it sounds like Zeke is sending anonymous emails to try to sabotage other teams. Don’t confuse me for a fan of anything related to Beantown, ever, but there is a poetic justice in The Answer and The Truth joining forces in the same backcourt. Besides, if Pierce can make Chubby Chucker (Walker) look like an all star, imagine what he’d do for AI! That’s the answer and the truth. “Vince a 3rd rate player…” Francesco Scola needs to be black balled from making posts.

Dec.10 at 6:41 pm

kingstuffs says:
yo justin H
the only reason iverson has to score 30 a game
is cus everyone else rareley steps up n helps him. after a while u u jus giv up on your team

Dec.10 at 9:04 pm

samm says:
iverson is my favourite player i would like to see lebron and iverson combo (my two favourite players) or a d wade shaq iverson combo or even chris bosh tj ford and ai combo or even melo ai camby and kmart combo tmac yao ai combo artest ai or maybe kobe odom ai or morrison ai somthing like that

Dec.10 at 11:42 pm

BubbaChucks to MN says:
Randy Foye (Villanova product), Eddie Griffin (hometown Philly), Ricky Davis and Troy Hudson for A.I. sounds like a good trade to me.

Dec.11 at 12:26 am

Robert Topp says:
What abouit a kobe for AI swap? i dont thinkt he lakers are dumb enough to do it but Kobe going back to his hometown philly?? that would be sick

Dec.11 at 5:16 am

jmanPats says:
I’m kinda thinking phx. 1. the draft picks, they have 3 1st rounders with atls being very high - don’t think a rookie will be crackin phxs rotation anytime soon, whereas 1st rounders are big to philly. 2. barbosa, banks, diaw (tho I wouldn’t trade him) can all get value in a trade. 3. phx & AI are both searching for a title. 4. AI loves scoring and he’d do plenty of that in phx. 5. both AI and Nash can score with the ball or play off the ball, best fit would be AI playin the 2. 6. AI would have to act right all the time becuase he wouldn’t be THE Man in phx, he would be a star but it wouldn’t be his team. why it wont happen: 1. defense is what phx needs ( although it would be cool to see a team score its way to a title)

Dec.11 at 1:21 pm

Joe says:
I can’t see the Warriors giving up Ellis even if it included dropping Foyles contract

Dec.11 at 1:31 pm

data187 says:
how about AI to NJ for Lex Luther and Fatty McInnis?

Dec.11 at 1:38 pm

albie1kenobi says:
Tamer, that is the craziest trade ever. but what is the whole point of that? AI going to the knicks? no other team is benefitting from that trade at all. lakers won’t trade away odom or walton in order to get stephon, and neither will rockets want francis back.
i’m still with the AI to bulls theory. bulls will become a legit contender and 6ers can become a playoff team. AI and big ben may unite to mutiny against skiles (rebels vs. control freak), but roster wise it makes sense. plus it’s easier to digest the change of team since AI would still be wearing mostly red and white.

Dec.11 at 1:40 pm

albie1kenobi says:
tagging on to that, AI and big ben should play with their fro out every game. talk about defensive intimidation. AI playing the passing lanes with wreckless abundance knowing Big Ben will have his back.

Dec.11 at 2:05 pm

sush carter says:
foyle+troy murphy+monta ellis+draft pick=ivey with a side of go dumb

Dec.11 at 3:09 pm

Jose Ramon says:
A.I. and K.G. that will be great for these two players, boston i don¿t think so, mavs could be the answer for the chip.but with K.G. will be better

Dec.11 at 3:24 pm

Khalid Salaam says:
Either way this whole situation sucks if you’re a Sixers fan. The way King and Snider are destroying the franchise is despicable.

Dec.11 at 3:43 pm

allenp says:
Hughes got traded as either a rookie or second year player cause Larry Brown didn’t like his defense. Stackhouse left in AI’s second year cause he was complaining about touches cause he felt he was a franchise player, and the never became that anywhere. Iverson carried the 2001 team to the Finals after taking a team with no other true scorer to the playoffs every year since 98. His second scorers, besides the flawed ones mentioned, have been Matt Harping, Keith Van Horn, old Glen Robinson and gimpy Chris Webber. That list sucks.
Oh yeah. Last year Webber averaged 19, on 42 percent shooting with Iverson the ballhop, who managed the average 7.5 assists. Cats need to actually know what they are writing about before the start posting. Webber wasn’t scoring cause Cheeks wasn’t playing him.

Dec.11 at 7:32 pm

One Angry Knick Fan says:
If The Answer ends up going to Beantown, can somebody write a column titled, “From Rags to Bitches”?
Pretty Please

Dec.11 at 9:58 pm

6ers dude says:
One thing I think will no doubt come out of this is the fact that Andre Iguodala and Kyle Korver will truly step up. AI2 is the next big raw talent and KK is the most dangerous shooter in the league if he has a true point guard like Steve Nash. Keep an eye on them.

Dec.12 at 2:20 am

OJ king says:
A.I. should i’ver stay @ phili
or go to T-Wolves because A.I. would not suit any other team ,I am Australian but I still know about Bball and the NBA and with Garnett and A.I. Together they would absololutly dominate the whole NBA and the playoffs.It would be Sick.

Dec.12 at 11:12 am

Sesa says:
I think trading AI is a bad move from bussines point-of-view. AI have been the face of the franchise for like, 11 years. This trade will drive fans away. No disrespect to C-Webb and the other guys, but they weren’t on the roster as long as AI. Plus, with this trade; they won’t be an instant playoff contender. Them guys needed to learn the new offensive playbooks NOT involving AI. Unless some magic happens and they become a playoff contender. Highly unlikely, though

Dec.14 at 4:52 pm

» The Links: Eddy Curry, the Knicks and Hawks…and Iverson - SLAM Online says:
[…] Blah blah blah Iverson. I mentioned Golden State being a possible destination in my initial AI trade post, and then yesterday I started thinking about Nellie and AI, but moreso about Nellie and trades. Remember how when he was the coach of the Mavs, Dallas used to make about two or three big trades each season? And since Nellie left, things in Dallas have calmed down considerably? People used to chalk up all those moves to Mark Cuban being a maverick and being willing to spend the cash, etcetera, but what if it was Nellie that was driving all that stuff? So wouldn’t he be willing to shake things up with the Warriors? […]