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Ailene Voisin: Allen Iverson landed in the perfect place, with a talented team and a coach suited to his style.
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 12:20 am PST Friday, December 22, 2006
Allen Iverson went to the right place. The right place, the right team, the right time. And although you can count me among all those other daring types who were tantalized by a potential pairing of Iverson and Ron Artest, one can't be too disappointed (sigh); the diminutive former 76ers guard was traded to the Western Conference, ensuring frequent visits to Arco Arena and a more favorable situation for one of the game's most electrifying, if polarizing performers.
The Denver Nuggets are his golden parachute, the recent trade his late-life landing.
Believe this about Iverson.
He'll get there eventually.
And if he doesn't adapt and adjust and the franchise implodes, as many predict? The Nuggets can say they were bold and no longer boring, and eminently capable in the future of swapping parts and personalities that don't fit. There is always a market for prolific scorers and/or expiring contracts.
The only real question is whether Iverson's presence elevates the Nuggets into the status of conference contenders, thereby softening ownership's hefty luxury tax hit. Maybe. Maybe not. The Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and perhaps the Utah Jazz, certainly appear a cut above.
Nuggets executive Rex Chapman, however, wields the gavel for the minority. He loved to startle opponents with quick, improbable three-point heaves, never was much for the patient approach. And in this instance, the former Kentucky star and NBA journeyman went for an immediate caffeine boost at the Pepsi Center, projecting a few wildly entertaining, successful seasons with the 31-year-old Iverson, to be followed by another decade anchored by the younger Carmelo Anthony.
And while this requires a serious leap of faith, this is why this trade works: The right people are involved and the right system has been implemented. The past will evaporate like so much thin air.
Give it a chance. This could be fun. This certainly will be fast.
In George Karl's frenetic offense, the players and the ball move so quickly, there will be neither the time nor opportunity for Iverson to monopolize the ball as he has in the past. The pace should ensure enough shot attempts to keep Anthony, Iverson and young J.R. Smith satisfied, with the complementary players Marcus Camby, Eddie Najera and Reggie Evans doing the grunt work, at least while they remain healthy (always an issue in Denver).
Team dynamics are equally intriguing, specifically, how willingly Iverson shares the attention (and ball) with his talented young wing man. Iverson can't complain about the absence of a quality running mate, nor use a lack of surrounding talent to justify selfish play or an inordinate number of shots. His point-guard skills will need to be polished off and reintroduced.
"If I'm not getting older and more mature at 31," a somber Iverson told TNT's John Thompson Thursday, "then something's wrong."
Longtime NBA observers also will note that, with few exceptions, it takes two scorers to win a title. Shaq had Wade. Shaq had Kobe. Jordan had Pippen. Duncan had Parker and Ginobili. Magic had Kareem. Bird had McHale. Stockton had Malone ... and the Jazz still came up a few field goals shy.
Yet if this Iverson-Anthony pairing proves to be oil-and-Iverson? If the two stars clash and the Nuggets turn to dust?
Karl is the perfect man for the job. He coaches best amid chaos. A forward-thinking traditionalist, the Dean Smith disciple is also among the league's quirkiest and most forthright personalities. Opinionated and candid to a fault, his up-front approach enabled him to forge an enduring relationship with Gary Payton, a difficult player to coach by all accounts.
Karl and Iverson share similar traits, which is another reason this should be an effective union. Both are emotional, intensely competitive and potentially combative. Both seem to crave the occasional outburst and are known for their impassioned mea culpas.
Karl also has been around long enough to recognize when players need a break from practice -- and given his slight physique and physical playing style, Iverson should be given hall passes as a matter of routine -- and willing to compromise when necessary.
Then there is the motivational factor. Karl is still bothered by the 2002 U.S. World Championship team's sixth-place finish in Indianapolis, along with reports that he feuded with several players, and later, with oft-injured Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. Anthony has been touched by off-court troubles and the sucker punch he threw last Saturday in Madison Square Garden. Iverson ... who better than the oft-maligned Iverson at accepting big challenges?
AI is ready for this, the Nuggets ready for him.
This should be fascinating.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
Ailene Voisin: Allen Iverson landed in the perfect place, with a talented team and a coach suited to his style.
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Sports Columnist
Last Updated 12:20 am PST Friday, December 22, 2006
Allen Iverson went to the right place. The right place, the right team, the right time. And although you can count me among all those other daring types who were tantalized by a potential pairing of Iverson and Ron Artest, one can't be too disappointed (sigh); the diminutive former 76ers guard was traded to the Western Conference, ensuring frequent visits to Arco Arena and a more favorable situation for one of the game's most electrifying, if polarizing performers.
The Denver Nuggets are his golden parachute, the recent trade his late-life landing.
Believe this about Iverson.
He'll get there eventually.
And if he doesn't adapt and adjust and the franchise implodes, as many predict? The Nuggets can say they were bold and no longer boring, and eminently capable in the future of swapping parts and personalities that don't fit. There is always a market for prolific scorers and/or expiring contracts.
The only real question is whether Iverson's presence elevates the Nuggets into the status of conference contenders, thereby softening ownership's hefty luxury tax hit. Maybe. Maybe not. The Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, and perhaps the Utah Jazz, certainly appear a cut above.
Nuggets executive Rex Chapman, however, wields the gavel for the minority. He loved to startle opponents with quick, improbable three-point heaves, never was much for the patient approach. And in this instance, the former Kentucky star and NBA journeyman went for an immediate caffeine boost at the Pepsi Center, projecting a few wildly entertaining, successful seasons with the 31-year-old Iverson, to be followed by another decade anchored by the younger Carmelo Anthony.
And while this requires a serious leap of faith, this is why this trade works: The right people are involved and the right system has been implemented. The past will evaporate like so much thin air.
Give it a chance. This could be fun. This certainly will be fast.
In George Karl's frenetic offense, the players and the ball move so quickly, there will be neither the time nor opportunity for Iverson to monopolize the ball as he has in the past. The pace should ensure enough shot attempts to keep Anthony, Iverson and young J.R. Smith satisfied, with the complementary players Marcus Camby, Eddie Najera and Reggie Evans doing the grunt work, at least while they remain healthy (always an issue in Denver).
Team dynamics are equally intriguing, specifically, how willingly Iverson shares the attention (and ball) with his talented young wing man. Iverson can't complain about the absence of a quality running mate, nor use a lack of surrounding talent to justify selfish play or an inordinate number of shots. His point-guard skills will need to be polished off and reintroduced.
"If I'm not getting older and more mature at 31," a somber Iverson told TNT's John Thompson Thursday, "then something's wrong."
Longtime NBA observers also will note that, with few exceptions, it takes two scorers to win a title. Shaq had Wade. Shaq had Kobe. Jordan had Pippen. Duncan had Parker and Ginobili. Magic had Kareem. Bird had McHale. Stockton had Malone ... and the Jazz still came up a few field goals shy.
Yet if this Iverson-Anthony pairing proves to be oil-and-Iverson? If the two stars clash and the Nuggets turn to dust?
Karl is the perfect man for the job. He coaches best amid chaos. A forward-thinking traditionalist, the Dean Smith disciple is also among the league's quirkiest and most forthright personalities. Opinionated and candid to a fault, his up-front approach enabled him to forge an enduring relationship with Gary Payton, a difficult player to coach by all accounts.
Karl and Iverson share similar traits, which is another reason this should be an effective union. Both are emotional, intensely competitive and potentially combative. Both seem to crave the occasional outburst and are known for their impassioned mea culpas.
Karl also has been around long enough to recognize when players need a break from practice -- and given his slight physique and physical playing style, Iverson should be given hall passes as a matter of routine -- and willing to compromise when necessary.
Then there is the motivational factor. Karl is still bothered by the 2002 U.S. World Championship team's sixth-place finish in Indianapolis, along with reports that he feuded with several players, and later, with oft-injured Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. Anthony has been touched by off-court troubles and the sucker punch he threw last Saturday in Madison Square Garden. Iverson ... who better than the oft-maligned Iverson at accepting big challenges?
AI is ready for this, the Nuggets ready for him.
This should be fascinating.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
