what's this now? Melo and AI on the same team??

Freelance Superhero · 12-19-2006, 04:55 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2702501

Miller, Smith go to Sixers in deal for Iverson
ESPN.com news services

After 11 days of waiting, the NBA has an answer to The Answer question.

The Denver Nuggets have acquired Philadelphia 76ers' guard Allen Iverson.

The trade, which comes almost two weeks after Iverson demanded a trade in Philly, sends Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the Sixers for Iverson and Ivan McFarlin. It was completed Tuesday and sent to the league for approval.

The deal was first reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein and ESPN Insider's Chris Sheridan.

"I talked to Allen and he's ecstatic," Nuggets vice president of player personal Rex Chapman said in a press conference on Tuesday evening. "We hope to have him here tomorrow. Allen has proven that he's a winner."

Some requirements for physicals and reporting have been waived, according to the Nuggets, in order to get Iverson in a Denver uniform as soon as possible.

The Sixers announced the deal at the same time on Tuesday.

"First of all, I'd like to thank Allen Iverson for the last 11 years," Sixers general manager Billy King said. "I think he gave us all some great excitement. I think he's one of the greatest ever to play the game."

Asked how the deal helps the Sixers, King said: "What we were trying to accomplish was to get some cap flexibility, get a player that can help us, and I think we've done that."

One of the picks the Sixers will receive comes from Denver, but the other one comes from Dallas, King said.

"I think the draft picks are very important because we want to build through the draft," King said.

The Sixers had been hoping to take back only expiring contracts in any Iverson deal, unless they were receiving a top-flight young player like Minnesota's Randy Foye or Shaun Livingston of the Los Angeles Clippers.

But with Philly and Denver struggling to find a third team to join in to make the deal more financially enticing for the Sixers, they decided to end an auction that began in earnest when Iverson's demand to be traded was confirmed by Sixers chairman Ed Snider on Dec. 8.

This deal will bring Philly a former league assist leader in Miller, Smith's expiring salary of nearly $7 million and those two first-round picks in June -- projected to be in the 20s -- to go with their own lottery pick. Miller is averaging 13 points and 9.1 assists per game -- third-best in the NBA -- while Smith, an 11-year veteran, has played little this season, averaging only 13.5 minutes and 5.1 points per game.

The Nuggets' interest in Iverson dates to last February and has only increased since the Sixers made him available to the whole league earlier this month. Their chief motivation is pairing Iverson with Anthony in coach George Karl's up-tempo attack, but acquiring Iverson now -- just a day after Anthony and J.R. Smith were suspended for 15 and 10 games, respectively, for their roles in Saturday night's fight with the New York Knicks -- gives a much-needed jolt to Denver's depleted roster.

Andre Miller
Miller

Joe Smith
Smith

Iverson won't be able to play with his former teammate from the 2004 U.S. Olympic squad until Anthony is reinstated for a Jan. 20 game at Houston.

"We think they're going to be a dynamic duo together and take this franchise to new heights," Chapman said of Iverson and Anthony.

Anthony and Iverson are currently the top two scorers in the league at 31.6 and 31.2 points per game, respectively. No two teammates have ever finished a season with both having averages over 30 points per game. Only twice have teammates finished 1-2 in the league scoring race, and the last time that happened was with the Nuggets. In the 1982-83 season, Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe were 1-2. The 1954-55 Warriors had Neil Johnston at No. 1 and Paul Arizin at 2.

Miller, who led the NBA in assists with 10.9 per game for Cleveland in 2001-02, makes $8.7 million this season and has $19.4 million left on his contract over the following two seasons.

"I think Miller is one of the best point guards in the league," King said.

It's apparent, though, that the Sixers decided it was better to absorb Miller's contract now -- along with the opportunity to have three first-round selections in what scouts are calling the deepest draft in years -- as opposed to dragging out the Iverson saga further.

Iverson has been in exile for the past 11 days, languishing on the Sixers' inactive list while still accruing his per-game earnings of $156,218.

Even though the Sixers felt they had to trade Iverson, King said, "I'm not going to disparage what Allen did for this organization."

Iverson, 31, has a career 28.1 ppg scoring average in 11 NBA seasons, all in Philadelphia. He led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, but the team has seen little playoff success since.

After being selected No. 1 by the Sixers in 1996, Iverson was Rookie of the year in 1997 and MVP in 2001. He has led the NBA in scoring four times, most recently in 2005, finishing in the league's top three every year since 1999, and twice led the league in steals.

Only Minnesota's Kevin Garnett has been with one team longer than Iverson among active players.

For as much as he thrilled the 76ers on the court, he gave them nearly as many headaches off it.

With his rants about practice, his run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, his arrests and failed rap career, Iverson was often a magnet for trouble away from the court.

Iverson and Brown were a volcanic combination during the six seasons they spent together in Philly. Brown criticized Iverson for taking too many shots and accused him of being selfish at times.

Iverson often arrived late for practice or missed practices for various reasons. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season he repeated "talking about practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue. He now pokes fun at the memorable meltdown.

Brown and Iverson eventually reconciled and Brown named his former guard co-captain of the 2004 Olympic men's basketball team.

While some have predicted his all-out style means he'll wear out sooner rather than later, Iverson still ricochets around the court like a pinball and slamming to the court after seemingly every basket. He had 15 40-plus point games in 2005-06, including his 10th-career 50-point game.

As a team, the 76ers have fallen on hard times. They are riding an 11-game losing streak this year after not making the playoffs the last three seasons.
-----------

wow. i knew he wanted to leave, but i didn't think it was gonna happen that soon! i wonder how well AI and carmelo will gel with each other...

Showtime · 12-19-2006, 05:30 PM

this should be fun.

MikeD · 12-19-2006, 05:47 PM

I don't think this is the piece that gets Denver over the top. And there had to be places AI would rather be playing. Oh well...

On the other hand, Philly can finally look to rebuild. Getting two first rounders never hurts. If they only had never made the Webber deal, things might be looking really good.

DarkFury · 12-20-2006, 08:02 AM

Heh... "Ball Hoggin'" is gonna reach new levels in Denver.

(I wonder which one is gonna accept the "supporting role" in this position...)

Good luck guys..

Sirrich3 · 12-20-2006, 08:04 AM

Gotta wait and see....

GraingerGuy · 12-20-2006, 09:30 AM

No one is going to be in the "supporting role". They are actually going to play with 3 balls. 2 for Iverson 1 for Melo.

zenbooty · 12-20-2006, 09:47 AM

Maybe Iverson can teach 'Melo how to hit like a man.

CornMonkey · 12-20-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenbooty

Maybe Iverson can teach 'Melo how to hit like a man.

for reals... melo is immortalized now as a "slap n run" sissy. perhaps he can take some boxing lessons during his 15-game suspension.

bachviet · 12-20-2006, 10:44 AM

Even Steve Nash is not impressed with Melo's sucka punch.

He said that it's a typical NBA punch. He also said that in the NHL, his own teammates would have beat him up for throwing punch like that.

MikeD · 12-20-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenbooty

Maybe Iverson can teach 'Melo how to hit like a man.

Brings whole new meaning to the term "hit and run"...

Showtime · 12-20-2006, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bachviet

Even Steve Nash is not impressed with Melo's sucka punch.

He said that it's a typical NBA punch. He also said that in the NHL, his own teammates would have beat him up for throwing punch like that.

Nash is one to talk, he's a big whiner (Kobe sickest dunk on him) and I can't wait to see Denver play phoenix. Guaranteed 300+ games.

yippiekiyeh · 12-20-2006, 03:23 PM

Well it just sounds like AI traded one 'hood for another, we'll see how this plays out.

12-19-2006, 04:55 PM	#1
Freelance Superhero Optimus Prime Join Date: May 2002 Location: in bed Posts: 4,116	what's this now? Melo and AI on the same team?? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2702501 Miller, Smith go to Sixers in deal for Iverson ESPN.com news services After 11 days of waiting, the NBA has an answer to The Answer question. The Denver Nuggets have acquired Philadelphia 76ers' guard Allen Iverson. The trade, which comes almost two weeks after Iverson demanded a trade in Philly, sends Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the Sixers for Iverson and Ivan McFarlin. It was completed Tuesday and sent to the league for approval. The deal was first reported by ESPN.com's Marc Stein and ESPN Insider's Chris Sheridan. "I talked to Allen and he's ecstatic," Nuggets vice president of player personal Rex Chapman said in a press conference on Tuesday evening. "We hope to have him here tomorrow. Allen has proven that he's a winner." Some requirements for physicals and reporting have been waived, according to the Nuggets, in order to get Iverson in a Denver uniform as soon as possible. The Sixers announced the deal at the same time on Tuesday. "First of all, I'd like to thank Allen Iverson for the last 11 years," Sixers general manager Billy King said. "I think he gave us all some great excitement. I think he's one of the greatest ever to play the game." Asked how the deal helps the Sixers, King said: "What we were trying to accomplish was to get some cap flexibility, get a player that can help us, and I think we've done that." One of the picks the Sixers will receive comes from Denver, but the other one comes from Dallas, King said. "I think the draft picks are very important because we want to build through the draft," King said. The Sixers had been hoping to take back only expiring contracts in any Iverson deal, unless they were receiving a top-flight young player like Minnesota's Randy Foye or Shaun Livingston of the Los Angeles Clippers. But with Philly and Denver struggling to find a third team to join in to make the deal more financially enticing for the Sixers, they decided to end an auction that began in earnest when Iverson's demand to be traded was confirmed by Sixers chairman Ed Snider on Dec. 8. This deal will bring Philly a former league assist leader in Miller, Smith's expiring salary of nearly $7 million and those two first-round picks in June -- projected to be in the 20s -- to go with their own lottery pick. Miller is averaging 13 points and 9.1 assists per game -- third-best in the NBA -- while Smith, an 11-year veteran, has played little this season, averaging only 13.5 minutes and 5.1 points per game. The Nuggets' interest in Iverson dates to last February and has only increased since the Sixers made him available to the whole league earlier this month. Their chief motivation is pairing Iverson with Anthony in coach George Karl's up-tempo attack, but acquiring Iverson now -- just a day after Anthony and J.R. Smith were suspended for 15 and 10 games, respectively, for their roles in Saturday night's fight with the New York Knicks -- gives a much-needed jolt to Denver's depleted roster. Andre Miller Miller Joe Smith Smith Iverson won't be able to play with his former teammate from the 2004 U.S. Olympic squad until Anthony is reinstated for a Jan. 20 game at Houston. "We think they're going to be a dynamic duo together and take this franchise to new heights," Chapman said of Iverson and Anthony. Anthony and Iverson are currently the top two scorers in the league at 31.6 and 31.2 points per game, respectively. No two teammates have ever finished a season with both having averages over 30 points per game. Only twice have teammates finished 1-2 in the league scoring race, and the last time that happened was with the Nuggets. In the 1982-83 season, Alex English and Kiki Vandeweghe were 1-2. The 1954-55 Warriors had Neil Johnston at No. 1 and Paul Arizin at 2. Miller, who led the NBA in assists with 10.9 per game for Cleveland in 2001-02, makes $8.7 million this season and has $19.4 million left on his contract over the following two seasons. "I think Miller is one of the best point guards in the league," King said. It's apparent, though, that the Sixers decided it was better to absorb Miller's contract now -- along with the opportunity to have three first-round selections in what scouts are calling the deepest draft in years -- as opposed to dragging out the Iverson saga further. Iverson has been in exile for the past 11 days, languishing on the Sixers' inactive list while still accruing his per-game earnings of $156,218. Even though the Sixers felt they had to trade Iverson, King said, "I'm not going to disparage what Allen did for this organization." Iverson, 31, has a career 28.1 ppg scoring average in 11 NBA seasons, all in Philadelphia. He led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, but the team has seen little playoff success since. After being selected No. 1 by the Sixers in 1996, Iverson was Rookie of the year in 1997 and MVP in 2001. He has led the NBA in scoring four times, most recently in 2005, finishing in the league's top three every year since 1999, and twice led the league in steals. Only Minnesota's Kevin Garnett has been with one team longer than Iverson among active players. For as much as he thrilled the 76ers on the court, he gave them nearly as many headaches off it. With his rants about practice, his run-ins with former coach Larry Brown, his arrests and failed rap career, Iverson was often a magnet for trouble away from the court. Iverson and Brown were a volcanic combination during the six seasons they spent together in Philly. Brown criticized Iverson for taking too many shots and accused him of being selfish at times. Iverson often arrived late for practice or missed practices for various reasons. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season he repeated "talking about practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue. He now pokes fun at the memorable meltdown. Brown and Iverson eventually reconciled and Brown named his former guard co-captain of the 2004 Olympic men's basketball team. While some have predicted his all-out style means he'll wear out sooner rather than later, Iverson still ricochets around the court like a pinball and slamming to the court after seemingly every basket. He had 15 40-plus point games in 2005-06, including his 10th-career 50-point game. As a team, the 76ers have fallen on hard times. They are riding an 11-game losing streak this year after not making the playoffs the last three seasons. ----------- wow. i knew he wanted to leave, but i didn't think it was gonna happen that soon! i wonder how well AI and carmelo will gel with each other... __________________ "I can't believe you can eat that; it looks like abortion." - Augusta, of the Tard-Blog

12-19-2006, 05:30 PM	#2
Showtime Lakers fanatic Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: L.A. ->SoCal<- O.C. Posts: 7,338	this should be fun. __________________ NBA REPORT 10-11/ The 3-Peat! 1948 1949 1950 1952 1953 1954 1972 1980 1982 1985 1987 1988 2000 2001 2002 2009 2010 Reigning NBA CHAMPS!

12-19-2006, 05:47 PM	#3
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	I don't think this is the piece that gets Denver over the top. And there had to be places AI would rather be playing. Oh well... On the other hand, Philly can finally look to rebuild. Getting two first rounders never hurts. If they only had never made the Webber deal, things might be looking really good. __________________

12-20-2006, 08:02 AM	#4
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	Heh... "Ball Hoggin'" is gonna reach new levels in Denver. (I wonder which one is gonna accept the "supporting role" in this position...) Good luck guys.. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

12-20-2006, 08:04 AM	#5
Sirrich3 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In Sunny Southern California Posts: 3,950	Gotta wait and see.... __________________

12-20-2006, 09:30 AM	#6
GraingerGuy Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Working....and working...and working some more Posts: 3,573	No one is going to be in the "supporting role". They are actually going to play with 3 balls. 2 for Iverson 1 for Melo. __________________ potato gun + marshmallow gun = FLAMING MARSHMALLOWS OF DOOM!!!!! -Welfareloser 4/13/05 Time to switch to AMD now I guess... (just kidding... ) -Darkfury 5/23/05 I don't think this'll stop anything though - the better you idiot-proof a system, the more impressive the idiot becomes. -ShawnLee 5/30/08

12-20-2006, 09:47 AM	#7
zenbooty Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Prime Material Plane Posts: 7,486	Maybe Iverson can teach 'Melo how to hit like a man. __________________ Common sense is what tells you the Earth is flat.

12-20-2006, 10:44 AM	#9
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	Even Steve Nash is not impressed with Melo's sucka punch. He said that it's a typical NBA punch. He also said that in the NHL, his own teammates would have beat him up for throwing punch like that. __________________ Dell Dimension 9200 \| Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4GHz) \| 4x1GB DDR2 \| 256MB nVidia GeForce 8800GT Dell Studio 17 \| Intel Core i7-720QM (1.6GHz) \| 2x2GB DDR3 1066MHz \| 1GHz ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 Intel P4-C 3.0GHz \| ECS 865PE-A \| 3x512MB PC3200 \| 128MB PNY GeForce 6600GT

12-20-2006, 03:23 PM	#12
yippiekiyeh A Friend of a Friend Join Date: May 2001 Location: WESTSIDE! Posts: 1,673	Well it just sounds like AI traded one 'hood for another, we'll see how this plays out. __________________ Distributed.Net I'm Trying this blogger thang...

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