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Ailene Voisin: Think of the possibilities with Iverson
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
With the significant Kings players generating Web hits by the thousands -- the feeding frenzy that befalls lousy/mediocre teams having already begun in earnest, starting with the Allen Iverson-for-Mike Bibby discussion -- Geoff Petrie and his bosses are confronting a franchise-size decision.
They can move in one of two directions, can plan short term or long term.
The combination of early-season struggles and looming offseason salary cap considerations (including Bibby's option of excising the final two years of his contract) is pressing Kings officials toward a determination. Iverson's sudden availability only accelerates the timetable, inspiring a healthy, inevitable conversation about everything from style of play to the individual market value and continued commingling of mainstays Bibby, Brad Miller and Ron Artest.
Change might occur sooner than later.
Answers -- and "The Answer" -- might be forthcoming, maybe within the next 48 hours.
"We're in the mix," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said Monday, referring to talks with the 76ers, "but I don't want to say anything else. Every time I say something these days, I get into trouble. We don't need to panic. We don't like losing, but we have time. It isn't like our schedule has been a cakewalk. Let's just see. A lot of other teams are losing."
A lot of other losing teams also are engaged in the chats for Iverson, which means the Kings have plenty of competition and might not have enough to offer a 76ers team seeking expiring contracts and an infusion of youth. Boston. Portland. Golden State. Seattle. Minnesota. Indiana. The more time passes, the more organizations are contacted and, presumably, the better the offers.
Despite Iverson's well-chronicled rants about practice, his feuds with his coaches, his absence from season-ticket functions and habit of alienating teammates with his ball-dominating style, he retains a coterie of admirers among fans and NBA front-office types alike. He is both difficult to defend (on and off the court) and impossible to ignore. Everything about him is fast and furious.
Though barely 6 feet tall and 165 pounds, and swathed in bandages and protective layering for virtually every outing, the 11th-year pro annually ranks among the league leaders in points, steals and assists.
Pursuing Iverson makes no sense if Petrie a.) envisions a superior deal by the February trade deadline or b.) concludes that the Kings are doomed and opts for a midseason fire sale to create cap room and allow for an offseason makeover. However, he obviously is tempted enough to speak at length with 76ers GM Billy King, the obvious risk notwithstanding.
Make that risk, plural. The pairing of Iverson and Artest would be so volatile that smoking would be banned within the vicinity of Arco Arena. Underage fans would be asked to sign a disclaimer regarding personal safety. Media outlets would remain on 24-hour news alert. Additionally, the Kings' locker room would anchor the ESPN highlight show.
It would be absolutely fascinating, wouldn't it?
Imagine the speedy Iverson zipping down the court, weaving between defenders, and dribbling past Kings who otherwise are going nowhere fast. Imagine the sight of someone in purple eagerly and relentlessly attacking the basket. Imagine Artest sticking out one of his massive hands, deflecting the ball to Iverson for a two-on-one with the streaky Kevin Martin.
The presence of one of the game's great shotmakers also would invigorate the crowd at Arco, where the once-rabid faithful are living off reputation. Fan apathy contributed mightily to last season's trade for Artest, and he, in turn, triggered the playoff push.
Yet here it is, the season barely six weeks old, and the Kings are back in their funk. They lack an identity. They seldom run. They rarely rebound and defend like they did during the promising opening weeks. And who doesn't expect Bibby to be more than a little unsettled (actually, he was seething after practice Monday) by his prominence in the trade talks?
No, Petrie needs to issue a statement, needs to divulge a plan, reveal a direction. Either the Kings remain legitimate playoff contenders -- and act accordingly -- or they begin prepping for an overhaul. There is no middle ground. That was last year and the year before that. This is now.
Ailene Voisin: Think of the possibilities with Iverson
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Published 12:00 am PST Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
With the significant Kings players generating Web hits by the thousands -- the feeding frenzy that befalls lousy/mediocre teams having already begun in earnest, starting with the Allen Iverson-for-Mike Bibby discussion -- Geoff Petrie and his bosses are confronting a franchise-size decision.
They can move in one of two directions, can plan short term or long term.
The combination of early-season struggles and looming offseason salary cap considerations (including Bibby's option of excising the final two years of his contract) is pressing Kings officials toward a determination. Iverson's sudden availability only accelerates the timetable, inspiring a healthy, inevitable conversation about everything from style of play to the individual market value and continued commingling of mainstays Bibby, Brad Miller and Ron Artest.
Change might occur sooner than later.
Answers -- and "The Answer" -- might be forthcoming, maybe within the next 48 hours.
"We're in the mix," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said Monday, referring to talks with the 76ers, "but I don't want to say anything else. Every time I say something these days, I get into trouble. We don't need to panic. We don't like losing, but we have time. It isn't like our schedule has been a cakewalk. Let's just see. A lot of other teams are losing."
A lot of other losing teams also are engaged in the chats for Iverson, which means the Kings have plenty of competition and might not have enough to offer a 76ers team seeking expiring contracts and an infusion of youth. Boston. Portland. Golden State. Seattle. Minnesota. Indiana. The more time passes, the more organizations are contacted and, presumably, the better the offers.
Despite Iverson's well-chronicled rants about practice, his feuds with his coaches, his absence from season-ticket functions and habit of alienating teammates with his ball-dominating style, he retains a coterie of admirers among fans and NBA front-office types alike. He is both difficult to defend (on and off the court) and impossible to ignore. Everything about him is fast and furious.
Though barely 6 feet tall and 165 pounds, and swathed in bandages and protective layering for virtually every outing, the 11th-year pro annually ranks among the league leaders in points, steals and assists.
Pursuing Iverson makes no sense if Petrie a.) envisions a superior deal by the February trade deadline or b.) concludes that the Kings are doomed and opts for a midseason fire sale to create cap room and allow for an offseason makeover. However, he obviously is tempted enough to speak at length with 76ers GM Billy King, the obvious risk notwithstanding.
Make that risk, plural. The pairing of Iverson and Artest would be so volatile that smoking would be banned within the vicinity of Arco Arena. Underage fans would be asked to sign a disclaimer regarding personal safety. Media outlets would remain on 24-hour news alert. Additionally, the Kings' locker room would anchor the ESPN highlight show.
It would be absolutely fascinating, wouldn't it?
Imagine the speedy Iverson zipping down the court, weaving between defenders, and dribbling past Kings who otherwise are going nowhere fast. Imagine the sight of someone in purple eagerly and relentlessly attacking the basket. Imagine Artest sticking out one of his massive hands, deflecting the ball to Iverson for a two-on-one with the streaky Kevin Martin.
The presence of one of the game's great shotmakers also would invigorate the crowd at Arco, where the once-rabid faithful are living off reputation. Fan apathy contributed mightily to last season's trade for Artest, and he, in turn, triggered the playoff push.
Yet here it is, the season barely six weeks old, and the Kings are back in their funk. They lack an identity. They seldom run. They rarely rebound and defend like they did during the promising opening weeks. And who doesn't expect Bibby to be more than a little unsettled (actually, he was seething after practice Monday) by his prominence in the trade talks?
No, Petrie needs to issue a statement, needs to divulge a plan, reveal a direction. Either the Kings remain legitimate playoff contenders -- and act accordingly -- or they begin prepping for an overhaul. There is no middle ground. That was last year and the year before that. This is now.
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