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Not the Answer for Miami
Today Allen Iverson tweeted on Twitter that he would be joining the Memphis Grizzlies; at that moment many Miami Heat fans faces grew sour. However I am a Heat fan that could not be happier about this. As my friend said “Why, he was perfect…he was the answer.” But was he really, or are Miami fans so desperate for a big name, they will do anything to get it. The truth is Iverson would have been a horrible fit for Miami. Many people are going to jump on me for this but let me explain why.
- Miami’s go to Man is Wade, whether he likes it or not. We all saw what happens when Iverson is not the man (Detroit)
- Iverson wants a starting role; Pat had already stated Chalmers was the starter.
- Pat believes in practice, and well we all know what happened on November 26th 2006
- Iverson has brought teams down with his ego; notice what Denver did without him, and bringing in a unselfish guy like Chauncey Billups
I am not saying Iverson is a bad player. He still can do things that will make many people surprised; all I am saying is that he was not the answer and in reality he should not have even been questioned. There are many possible players Miami can still go after, such as Rashad McCants, or even bring back a familiar face in Jason Williams. They could possibly be big helps and could come with the MLE. There are many options for the Heat to go with, and thankfully Iverson was eliminated.
Allen Iverson Still a Possibility for Miami?
It would seem that Allen Iverson’s image overhaul will rely on only a few potential suitors. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers are both basically out:
So, Miami remains a realistic possibility? Considering that the Heat may be adding Lamar Odom to the roster, that is if the Lakers deal proves to be too snobby for Odom, this may not be a bad idea. After all, Jamaal Tinsley is available, but reports are that there is great concern about his physical shape – let’s face it, he was always on the flabby side. But he has long been a favorite of Pat Riley’s. Andre Miller, however, is not a possibility and has signed a deal with the Portland Trailblazers – which may also affect the Heat’s chances of signing Odom as well.
AI’s camp rejected a one year deal from Memphis which would have paid him $5M but would also require him to come off the bench. If Miami made the same stipulation, perhaps in the wake of signing Lamar Odom, it may stick. Then again, the Heat would not be able to offer as much money, but instead rely on the veteran minimum figure and perhaps would have to raise the years from one to two to land Iverson.
Add Lamar Odom and Allen Iverson? Why Not?
Bill Plaschke seems to be worried about the state of basketball in LA. There is one problem, even though the Lakers are on the clock now for defending the title, LA is not the center of the NBA universe.
I know what you are thinking – they won the title! That makes them center mass in all of this mess.
Really?
Excuse me if I think that contention for a title is not that far away here in Miami – just a few upgrades and the Heat could be in the thick of it. That is the advantage of having a player like Dwyane Wade and one of the reasons why Pat Riley was so quick to add Shaq a few years back. A player of that magnitude can make your team a seasonal contender – depending on who you round out the roster with. There are several teams right now that could make the jump as well.
The Lakers already have their roster practically fixed. They just added Ron Artest, which is a great addition (Artest finally gets to be Rodman, whom was also coached by Phil Jackson). Lamar Odom, however, wants a bigger piece of the pie and feels he deserves to be a larger cog in the system. He was never content with sitting on the bench and coming off the bench – and now the Lakers have added Artest.
Plaschke is right to push the Lakers’ collective attention towards re-signing Odom – he was the difference maker in this run and the reason why the Lakers won the title. Sure, they had Kobe and Pau and a great supporting cast, but Odom quietly was the glue, the final piece of the puzzle that realized the championship in LA. But the Lakers may not see it that way – which is why the door is open for Miami to make that move.
If Lamar really wants to get paid, have fun, and play ball he will take the chance on coming to Miami. He will make relatively the same amount of money here, but will have the added bonus of playing with Dwyane Wade and recapturing that magic they had in 2003-2004. Remember, Riley wasn’t coaching that team so it isn’t as if Odom would demand Riley take over like Shaq did while he was here.
What is more, the Heat should not heed Plaschke’s advice and go after Allen Iverson – if the deal is sensible. Give him a one year deal with a player option. It would be a momentum move if the Heat could land Odom, as AI would sniff a possible power shift in Miami. Iverson is looking to prove himself and would add more firepower to the Heat.
Let’s not even factor in a possible trade for Boozer – which seems to be shaping up more and more with parting with Michael Beasley.
All and all, addition for the Heat, to its base of Wade, means the Heat have a tremendous shot at contention. Some in the media would have you believe that LA is the only real option for Odom, but Miami offers a strong alternative as well.
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.
Disgruntled Marbury More Than a Rumor?
The Nuggets and Pistons pulled off what seems to be a shocking trade in exchanging Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess. But could this be the beginning of some major trades?
The New York Post is reporting that GM Donnie Walsh is weighing his options with Stephon Marbury. The basic options left are a buyout vs. waiving him outright. If the Knicks are looking to save some money, they will waive Marbury – and both the Nuggets and Heat are listed as potential targets. Is the Iverson trade an indication of where things stand in NYC? Or is it the Nuggets saying ‘we’re out’ and moving on – leaving the Heat as the only team left with interest.
In either case, stay tuned. If the Heat add Marbury, they would have to waive someone of their own and still find a way to squeeze Marbury onto their payroll. Then there is figuring out where would Marbury play…would he start or come off the bench?
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