Well, Joe Dumars and the Pistons have made sure we'll have something to talk about while waiting in line to vote today...
Here's a selection of quick hits from: Pistons get Iverson for Billups, McDyess, Samb and Pistons are bringing in Iverson to generate excitement (Freep), Pistons acquire Iverson, send Billups and McDyess to Denver (ESPN, also has a video with Steven A. Smith), It’s official: Allen Iverson is a Piston (best summary & most interesting considerations award to Detroit Bad Boys), Pistons vs. Bobcats takes a backseat to Billups and Iverson (Need4Sheed) and Joe D swings for the fences (Pistons blog):
"We are pleased to welcome Allen Iverson to the Pistons organization. Allen has proven he is one of the elite players in the league, and we like what he adds to our roster at the guard position. We appreciate everything that Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb brought to the organization during their time here in Detroit, and we certainly wish them all the best." - Joe Dumars
...Joe D looks for three things in players: talent, obviously; strong desire to win; and good character. Iverson is off the charts in the first two categories. Some would argue the third, but Iverson’s issues have been almost exclusively personality clashes with strong-willed coaches.
...Power forward Rasheed Wallace said he was just hearing about the trade this morning and didn't have much to add. He did think aloud about the possibility of adding a former NBA scoring champion in Iverson. "Another scorer back there with Rip (Hamilton) ... we'll see how it plays out," Wallace said. "I can't comment too much. That's not a Guaransheed right there, so I can't comment too much."
...Iverson gives the Pistons one of the most irrepressible scorers in the NBA. In the lonely moments of the playoffs, when offenses inevitably bog down, players who can create their own shots – no matter what play is called, no matter what defense is deployed – are invaluable.
...Dumars loves to gamble on players who are reputed to possess as many minuses as pluses, as seen with the trade-deadline acquisition of Rasheed Wallace in 2004 which spurred Detroit to its first championship since Dumars was playing in 1990. If this gamble doesn't work, swapping Billups for Iverson would give Detroit financial flexibility to pursue a more aggressive makeover next summer, with the highly regarded Rodney Stuckey staying put as the long-term cornerstone of the Pistons' backcourt.
...Iverson gives Dumars much-needed salary flexibility. The Pistons could have as much as $35 million of spending money next summer if you include Wallace's $14 million, which also comes off the books.
...Sure, some of our hearts may not be in it, but wishing Chauncey all the best as he goes back and plays for his home town team and a thank you for what he has done is all we can do as fans. Is Iverson truly The Answer? We will get that question answered come June. Just think, the future is so bright we have to wear shades.
The move also gives the Pistons a core of Philly natives with Sheed, Rip & AI. Detroit Bad Boys adds that the Pistons didn't waste any time signing Rip to a contract extension.
OK, here's Piston coach Michael Curry talking about A.I. (Via HoopSoup, via DBB reader Ziggity via Detroit Bad Boys):
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The Allen Iverson file
Source: freep.com
Larry Brown: Allen Iverson is answer if fans want excitement
Continue reading: freep.com
If you want your head to spin like a carnival ride, check out Pistons get Iverson now, LeBron later?:
Matt Watson of DBB has Finally formed an opinion on the Iverson trade:
Chauncey Billups talks candidly about trade, Flip
Continue reading: Freep.com
That's a very good read, and kind of sad. I know that these guys make millions and get to play basketball for a living*, but you still hate to read articles that show the calculation with which a pro team operates.
*kidding there - if you've ever known a pro athlete you know that the play part is dwarfed by the tireless work part.
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