Worst Weak
Michael ReddThe schedule-makers must have been in a sadistic mood when they laid out the Nov. 2 slate: Knicks/Bucks and Thunder/Wolves, or arguably the two worst teams in the East in a doubleheader with arguably the two worst teams in the West … The Knicks game was again overshadowed by Stephon Marbury, after reports broke on Sunday that Steph could possibly be waived last night, and that the Nuggets and Heat would be among those in line willing to take a chance on him. Last time we checked Marbury is still a Knick, but word is that Mike D’Antoni is on-board with getting rid of probably the most talented player on his roster and is waiting for Donnie Walsh to pull the trigger … Meanwhile, the guys taking Steph’s minutes were up-and-down in the loss to Milwaukee. Chris Duhon had a quiet six points and three assists and got ripped open by Ramon Sessions (18 pts, 7 rebs, 8 asts), while Nate Robinson (14 pts, 3 stls) was one of the main reasons NY was even in the game. (Q-Rich was the other one, dropping 28 points and five triples.) Nate was obviously born to play in a fast-paced system, but D’Antoni might have just added 3-4 years to his career and a lot more money when somebody eventually overpays for Nate when his next contract comes up … Nate also impacted the game when he dove for a loose ball and rolled Michael Redd‘s ankle under him. Redd didn’t return, and afterward said he thinks it might be a high ankle sprain … Six minutes for Joe Alexander? Looks like we’ve got an early leader for which first-round rookie could get traded midseason. Running a close second is Courtney Lee, who’s losing minutes to J.J. Redick … Eddy Curry was also on the inactive list for New York, but he’s (allegedly) got a legit knee issue. Between Curry’s ordeal and Larry Brown announcing he’s benching Sean May until he gets in shape, it looks like the NBA is waging war on fat. Be alarmed, Kevin Love. You too, Boris Diaw … In OKC, the Thunder picked up their first win, getting 18 points from Kevin Durant and a double-double (10 pts, 10 rebs) from Nick Collison. The difference, though, was Russell Westbrook (14 pts), who basically did all the same things in this game that Nate Robinson did in the Knicks game: defense, energy, making big shots in the lane, and self-made fast breaks. Westbrook isn’t on the same level with Tony Parker or Deron Williams as far as finishing amongst the trees, but he gets so damn high off the ground he gives himself a chance to make ones that even TP or Deron couldn’t make. One time Westbrook almost jumped over Craig Smith while converting a layup … Al Jefferson posted 24 points and 13 boards in the loss … At least last night’s “NBA Gametime” studio host was able to freely talk about the OKC crowd giving the team an extra edge, a contrast from the other night when the host got silently punked into silence by co-host Gary Payton. This time Eric Snow was a little more cooperative … Pound-for-pound, we’d take Allen Iverson over Chauncey Billups. Most people would. But if we’re running the Pistons, we’re not trading Chauncey for Iverson. We’re thinking Joe Dumars feels the same way and that the Nuggets’ trade inquiries won’t go anywhere … We’re out like Redd …
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November 3rd, 2008 at 4:01 am
sam says:
FIRST!
for the 2nd time
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 am
the_don_mega says:
well, as GREAT as AI is… he really would not fit into DETROIT’S scheme of things… which team would he fit perfectly in??? what ya’ll say? i think the CAVS would be fine…
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:35 am
Obama 08!!!! says:
I said the same thing about the Iverson/Billups trade rumors…although I think Iverson would be okay on the Pistons (simply due to the fact that AI would be on another defensive team again, which is better for him) I don’t think it makes since for Detroit to do it..nor do I think it makes since for the Nuggets and heres why: some players fit perfect with certain teams..how many teams did Billups have to travel to before he found his home in Detroit? I think the Pistons are fine where they are and might need to make minor adjustments, but no major moves..although Billups is from Denver, I dont know how happy he would be getting traded from a contender to the Nuggets. I think he fits in so well with Detroit and if he went to the Nuggets (who have a totally different mindset)i’m not sure if he would have that same swagger. Sort of like Steve Nash, Nash was good on the MAVS but it wasn’t untill he got to the Suns and their up-tympo style system and he reached MVP status. I just think certain players belong on certain teams.
As far as AI is concerned, even though he doesn’t say it, I dont think he is happy with the Nuggets and just doesn’t want to say anything because the media will jump on him. Iverson hasn’t been perfect throughout his career, but I think people would be lying to themselves if they said that the Nuggets lived up to their promise when they made the trade for him, and I think it just makes that organization look bad. The guy deserves better. Just about everyone I know says “why are the Nuggets wasting AI’s time”? If they are going to trade him, I hope they atleast have enough class to trade him to a legit contender or else all hell is going to break lose. I think a team like Orlando or Cleveland would benifit from him and be legit contenders. He has never been teamed up with a big like Dwight and the Magic are in need of a leader, get Jameer Nelson out of there and a few other pieces for Iverson. And AI would actually work better next to Lebron then Melo. Lebrons type of play fits better with Iversons and Lebron is a lot less selfish for someone his age. I always thought that Iverson would have benefited more from playing next to veteren players (like K.G when he was a Timberwolve) or younger less selfish players like D-Wade, Lebron or Dwight Howard. Or send Iverson to NY for Steph, NY gets one of the few Box Office stars in the L and gets rid of Steph. I dont know, just do something befor Iverson gets fed up and starts splitting wigs.
If the Nuggets trade Iverson, they don’t make the playoffs this season (with all due respect to Melo, AI was the main reason the Nuggets even made it to the playoffs last season). Speaking of Melo, im starting to become dissappointed and if he doesn’t show up this season as some type of leader the Nuggets might face a real possibility of trading him in the next few seasons and starting all over. I like Melo, he strikes me as a cool dude off the court..but on the court his ego is much bigger then his game right now, dude walks around like his name is ‘Lebron’ or ‘AI’. Melo has a lot of growing up to do..its already his sixth season, so its now or never. And this Iverson situation is messing up Melos reputation as well, I read some things on the internet and there are people that cant stand Melo now because they think he let AI down.
I think the breakup from Philly was necessary (and both AI and the Sixers can share blame) because Iverson had to learn he had to sacrifice parts of his game for the benefit of his team..in Denver he’s learned..I honastly see a different Iverson there and I think if he does get traded whatever team that gets him will benefit from him learning those lessons. I don’t think people have given him enough credit for the fact that has tried to fit in, hasn’t popped off at the mouth with Karl (and we all know how many Coaching mistakes Karl made last season), and while he wasn’t perfect he cut back a lot on his game to fit in with that team..but it just seems like he lost the fire he once had in Philly..it has nothing to do with his game, he’s playing at incredible levels..but theres something missing. As a b-ball fan I want the ‘angry’ AI back. LOL!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:51 am
Magnifico says:
Trade A.I. to Cavs for Mo + Wally (I don’t know if this works salary-wise though haha).
This gives lebron a legit star beside him. They’ll be sick at least in the video gameplay.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:00 am
QQ says:
@post 4:
That trade is thinking in a NBA Live level, not in a business mindset.
If you’re the Nuggets, How would you sell to people a trade that involves giving away Iverson and getting Sczerbiak?
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 am
KBY says:
Most important, Billups makes HALF of AI’s contract so straight up doesn’t even work
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 am
Mo says:
Durant 4 MVP!
http://www.squidoo.com/KevinDurantDunk
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:51 am
schoops says:
@post 3… way to make a a post longer than the actual smack.
NY didn’t look too hot last night. The Bucks completely shut down any attempt at a fast break, and duhon can’t create one by himself the way nash could. Lil nate did look good though, he was all over the court and letting his outside shots come naturally.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:20 am
QuEsT??? says:
1st!!!!!!!….na just playing.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
analord says:
i think Marbury should do fine with the heat, spurs, or denver. As much as I was happy about Steph being a knick many years ago, now it’s time for him to go elsewhere…
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
John says:
Keep Marbury alway from the Heat, we have Super Mario !!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
loganlight says:
Holy cow… is “Obama 08″ on the Dime payroll?
Next time a reader writes that much it should be under the ‘Pass the Mic’ premise… sheesh. But thanks for the ‘We Reminise’ article on AI’s career… the gist of it? The AI trade won’t happen.
On another note, I agree with John: No Starbury in Miami. When has he ever been ok coming off the bench?
LL
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:38 am
control says:
Hopefully Marbury exports his ass overseas, or even pulls a Sprewell and just disappears. He is the type of cancer the nba doesn’t need.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
the_don_mega says:
@ John – super mario??? LOL!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:19 am
karizmatic says:
@ Obama 08 my sentiments exactly. Free Iverson!!!! I wish there was a scenario in which he could end up on the Cavs with LBJ and the nuggets only get like Szerbiak in return. Maybe Szerbiak and Mo Williams? Szerbiak, Mo Williams and Gibson. Lol. That is thinking on a Live level though. But Free Iverson!!!!
@ John I like the Super Mario nickname, now Chalmers just has to average 10pts a game to at least be halfway deserving of it.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
Vince Carter says:
Dear Greg Popovich,
Please get Marbury, make him drink the Kool-Aid and let him play the shit out of the 2 guard position on your team.
Help me Obi-Wan – you’re my only hope.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 am
doc says:
AI and Bron could work but who would they give back to Denver.Everybody always say give AI some help.The truth is he had one of the most talented teams in the league last year and they aint do shit.Call a spade a spade and stop sugarcoating shit for that man.I dont know if its the size or the street image but he got dudes heads fucked up like he cant do no wrong.Maybe he never bitched at Karl becausw Karl never made his ass go to practice.People said he aint have shit on the Sixers,now he aint got shit with Melo.Melo same dude that put Denver on the map making playoffs in the West before Bron got to one out East.As soon as AI leave watch Melo get in his pre AI bag and blossom into the superstar he can be,addition by subtraction.It worked in Philly the same way.I think even AI cant stop the Bron train if they link up but if he did all them jokers would say Bron aint playing with the same fire as AI or some BS like that.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Buffalo Brave says:
@ Obama 08
Great commentary on Iverson.
I would to see him get away from melo and karl. Billups would be good in denver cause he’s more of a set up guy than iverson is and that’s good for Melo and JR Smith shot efficiency. But Iverson definately deserves to be elsewhere. If he’s gonna lose why not in NY? Can you IMAGINE him balling in The Stache system?
BUCKETS!!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
BxBaller says:
I’m glad the Knicks lost last night. Who are they going to blame when Steph is gone? I don’t think that anybody on that roster has the mental toughness to put up with the negativity and nonsense that Steph could handle. It’s a matter of time before Ike D’Aphoney loses his cool and runs his punk ass out of time.
@ John, you really would rather start a rookie over Marbury? Chalmers had one good game and that was against us. I mean they did give the Bobcats their first win this season.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Max says:
I was probably one of two viewers outside of OKC and Minnesota who watched the Wolves-Thunder game (had it on in the background while working on a project), but it was surprisingly entertaining (at least the second half). Westbrook looked really good and you could do much worse than watch KD do his thing…like watch the Knicks.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Sho-Nuff says:
The Knicks stink. Flat out. Instead of waiving Marbury they need to find a way to trade him. $21 mill off the salary cap has to appeal to some team.
Done deal, Iverson to the Piston.
True Tigers Never Lion.
-Nuff