Unique Opportunity for the Suns

by da suns on Nov 21, 2009 3:00 PM MST

At this point in the season there is a rare opportunity to pick up a former MVP and league scoring champ. It is a risky proposition but Allen Iverson is sitting at home waiting for a call. Could an organization like the Suns handle AI well enough so that he would not be a distraction? Is AI now willing to be the back up point, 6TH man, instant offense guy that the Suns need? Surely he and his agent have gotten the message that he will have to adjust his expectations if he would like to catch on with an NBA team. This man is very much in need of a friend and an organization like the Suns.

I think the Suns organization is strong enough and Alvin Gentry is patient enough to handle Allen and turn him into a wonderful asset for the team. He can probably be added for about a million dollar salary.

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Do you think that Gentry could keep him from disrupting the good chemistry? The guy doesn’t seem to wanna play unless he’s starting and being the main man.

It’s an interesting idea but I’d have doubts if the Suns did sign him.

by DukeNukeco on Nov 21, 2009 3:05 PM MST reply actions

I love AI

But I don’t see a place on this Suns team barring injury. He’d have to come off the bench, and there’s no place for him in the rotation. You can certainly make the argument that he’d be a better back-up for Nash than Goran Dragic, but I don’t see the organization wanting to disrupt what has been good chemistry and balance this year.

Also, I think his salary would essentially be doubled by the luxury tax and that’s not something the Suns would want to take on. I think they’re better served keeping Jarron Collins on the roster and paying that expense in order for Robin Lopez to have a serviceable sparring partner in practice than to take the chance of signing Iverson.

Now if Leandro Barbosa or Dragic were to suffer a season-ending injury, that’s another story…

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 21, 2009 3:27 PM MST reply actions

+1

And AI will never want to come off the bench anyways, which is what got him into this whole mess

Steve Nash, the league's MVP, is a longhaired Canadian who spoke out against the war in Iraq and reads The Communist Manifesto. Quentin Richardson declared after a game-winning shot that it "was like Hamlet. It was a suspense thriller, and I killed them at the end." Amare Stoudemire, when asked to comment on a 22-point third quarter against the Kings, said, "I've got a tendency to jump over some guys' heads and throw it down."

by rsavaj on Nov 22, 2009 9:30 AM MST up reply actions

True

But I also think there’s a big difference between coming off the bench behind Steve Nash or coming off the bench behind Mike Conley.

That said, I think an AI signing is only viable in the case of an injury to one of the Suns’ bench guards. Despite his tendency to dominate the ball, I could see him thriving with the Suns second line offense which is far less reliant on the PG creating looks.

But yeah, not gonna happen. That said, I do hope he lands somewhere he can thrive.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 22, 2009 12:19 PM MST up reply actions

The last thing that the Suns need right now is the Canswer.

by Chucko on Nov 21, 2009 3:37 PM MST reply actions

Iverson does much of what Barbosa does, but is a jerk

Isn’t the founder of this blog right in saying there’s no room for Iverson? He doesn’t even give the Suns what they don’t already have. I mean, in that he scores a lot but doesn’t pass the ball and isn’t a great defender, he’s almost like an evil mirror-universe version of Leandro Barbosa (but without the three-point shooting).

by species8473 on Nov 21, 2009 11:59 PM MST reply actions

He won't thrive in the system of unselfish basketball that the suns are promoting

sorry, AI no fit for the 7SOL suns he will have longer time holding the ball (coz up to now he wanted to be the go-to-guy) and nash’s production in points and assist department will eventually dip. somehow, he will only mess the chemistry that is starting to thrive with the suns.

another stupid decision if kerr pulls this out. another disaster waiting after the shaq trade and porter hiring. can’t forgive him if he does this.

by marlon alexander l on Nov 22, 2009 5:11 AM MST reply actions

+1

“He won’t thrive in the system of unselfish basketball that the suns are promoting”

by eagleheart on Nov 22, 2009 7:58 AM MST reply actions

+1

gotta love AI cuz of his history at georgetown, but the dude is killing any chance he has at playing ball again with his selfish attitude (or at least perceivably selfish)

by yanyanman2 on Nov 22, 2009 9:27 AM MST up reply actions

Unselfish

AI has never been unselfish, he’s always been a shot-jacker aka “volume shooter” or “black hole” along the lines of Antoine Walker. He’s also a low percantage shooter to boot .43ish for his career.

by eagleheart on Nov 22, 2009 1:40 PM MST up reply actions

Boo.

This would be horrible. Unless Grant Hill can somehow place some sort of veteran’s mantra over him, there is no way he would fit with our chemistry and ball sharing ways.

by bangbang240 on Nov 22, 2009 11:00 AM MST reply actions

IF AI could play like he did in his only full season w/ Denver(around 24 and 8 I think on 45% shooting), then he's worth a look

But the baggage that comes with him coming off the bench…no thanks.

by rsavaj on Nov 22, 2009 12:09 PM MST reply actions

Never in a million yeaes

A move like this would be like poking a stick in Amare’s eye.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Nov 22, 2009 5:34 PM MST reply actions

Really?

The SOLE REASON why AI left the Grizzlies was because he wasn’t the starter.

by thetsaiguy on Nov 22, 2009 9:37 PM MST reply actions

Sorry,

But if I were Allen Iverson, I’d have issues backing up Mike Conley too. I really have no idea how this wasn’t discussed prior to signing him.

Contributor: Bright Side of the Sun Twitter: @MikeLisboa

by Mike Lisboa on Nov 23, 2009 12:53 AM MST up reply actions

That's not the point

If he had issues, why’d he sign there?

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on Nov 23, 2009 10:02 AM MST up reply actions

Interesting scenario

If the Suns were to sign AI, and then trade Barbosa to the Jazz for Hollins and Ellington I think the team is actually a lot better. AI, as someone noted earlier, will have a much easier time coming of the bench for an 11-3 suns team, behind Nash and J-Rich. He would be an improvement over Barbs and thus would make Babs more expendable (if we want to follow today’s blog suggestion).
Personally, I like it—this year may be the Suns last shot, and quite frankly we are still a ways away from being able to compete with LA. Could this move put us over the edge? Honestly, with added depth, skill, and tempo I see great potential

by Tucker Max on Nov 23, 2009 12:45 PM MST reply actions

-1

AI at this point is NOT an improvement over Barbosa by any stretch of stats. Maybe he’s a better jersey seller, he is not a better player.

I checked stats from last year (2008-2009) from Basketball Reference.com.
Barbosa is better is every important statisical category than AI.

Per 36 minutes stats:
AI: ppg 17.1 fg%.417 3pt% .243 ft .781 total rebounds 3.0 stl 1.5
Barb: ppg 21 fg% .482 3pt% .375 ft .881 total rebounds 3.1 stl 1.7

by eagleheart on Nov 24, 2009 5:33 AM MST up reply actions