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Does the Heat Need Allen Iverson?
Should the Heat sign Allen Iverson?
- Yes - would help the team and make Wade happy (94%, 350 Votes)
- No - would not help the team (6%, 24 Votes)
Total Voters: 374
Loading ...Picture this – it’s 2010 and the Heat are coming off a season in which they repeated their entrance to the playoffs, but failed to get out of the 2nd round. Wade, somewhat frustrated by the team not getting better around him, gets an offer from a team in contention. Wade takes the money, and the chance for a title, and leaves.
You can see the tumbleweed rolling through downtown Miami.
If Wade leaves, most fear, so will the Heat’s legitimate chances at another title. Right now, Pat Riley is trying to get Wade to commit to a deal before the 2010 free agent offseason from Hell, so that he can avoid that scenario. Riley knows great players, and he knows how hard it is to get them on his team. But he also knows great players and how to take care of them.
That is what is so intriguing about the Allen Iverson situation right now. He’s a free agent and he’s readily available. He seems hungry and wants to play – how much, at 34, is not known. But he doesn’t seem satisfied with a tarnished reputation that watched him leave Denver to land in Detroit and be squeezed out with little noise of support. Then there is this possible scenario of Wade leaving Miami after next season – that is, if he isn’t satisfied with the direction of the Heat. Right now, Dwyane Wade is a little antsy about the quiet offseason the Heat are having, and considering that every major Eastern Conference powerhouse has made upgrades (Shaq to Cleveland, Vince Carter to Orlando, Rasheed Wallace to Boston) there is little to hang one’s hat on. So, why not bring in Allen Iverson?
“With AI, you look at a guy who is one of the best to ever put on an NBA jersey,” Wade said. “A guy who can still score in the right offense, in the right flow. So you can never turn your nose up at a guy like Allen Iverson.”
You can never turn your nose up? Is that to suggest that Riley is turning his nose up at AI? Understandably so – he’s a volume scorer that relies on lots of shots to get his numbers. He is an undersized 2 guard with questionable point guard skills. On paper, or in one’s mind, it doesn’t feel like a great partnership for Wade’s game. Then again, if it would make Wade happy, perhaps it would be an incentive for him to re-sign.
If the experiment fails, however, you are left with AI on possibly a two year contract and with Wade saying, “see ya”. Then what? Riley has worked around tougher contracts before – see Antoine Walker, Shaquille O’neal.
The real risk is, if Wade really wants AI in town, do you want to stand pat and do nothing? Adding Iverson would give the Heat another guard that can score and get into the painted area. Iverson may have had a down year last year, but in Miami he would be hungry and playing with Dwyane Wade who can make things much easier for him. Let’s face it, Detroit was not as good as advertised and no one in the league as a talent like Wade at that position. Things could change very quickly for Iverson – he could revert back to his MVP-status. The only question really is, could he accept coming off the bench if Erik Spoelstra told him to?
It is an interesting situation because Miami wants to keep Wade, but they have to make this season as smooth and fun for Wade as they possibly can. They have to be able to contend and compete, and Wade can’t feel like it is all on him. Instead, the Heat have to have a cast in place that will help prop Wade up and allow him to shine when they do get into the spotlight of the playoffs. Allen Iverson may be able to help do just that – and possibly, may intrigue Wade enough to stick around.
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Lets go a.I, greatest lil’ man to play the game. Pat make this happen. D wade and a.I is as good as it gets, forget what these dumb critics say. A.I average 18 points in detroit and only took 14 shots a game. But rip hamilton took about 20-25 shots, and im so glad michael curry got fired. They should’ve been did that, but they stick with him and he puts stuckey in over a.I. Im so glad a.I said what he said about coming off the bench because rip comes off the bench and plays 30 to 35 minutes and they rush a.I back from a back injury and only have him play 19 minutes once he was heathly. Are u kidding me. Get it together. A.I and d wade..lets get it
You might be on to something. We should take a look at AI’s efficiency with his shot attempts. This is a guy who is historically a high volume scorer shooting 42% while putting up 22 FGAs per game. In Denver in 07-08, he shot 45% on 19 FGAs. He could be more efficient – the question is, can he do it in Miami?
Hell Yeah he can!! Miami needs AI and AI needs Miami. POINT BLANK! AI is too good to be used as ticket sales. I dont think he will sign with the clippers. Plus, they dont deserve him. Yeah, He had a bad season, but i believe he can show that all that was, was a bad trade. F**K that!! AI+Miami= Championship for the HEAT, and keeping WADE at home!
Bring on allen iverson pat he will still give you 30 points a night nobody can stop the answer hey guy you was right michael curry is an asshole to even think of starting rodney stuckey or rip hamilton over Ai joe dumars is an ass hole to.The only way Ai is going to miami is if he starts i dont blame him thats Ai not no bench player he will still bus koby ass any night start that man with d wade.