When Lou Williams went down I immediately thought of the recent Iverson situation. He wants to start and now there is a team that needs something.
But is it a good idea? Some would argue the obvious. The team is in desperate need of energy and a ball handler. Andre Iguodala is a very good, borderline All -Star player who plays his best around the rim and as a receiver. He is not a dribbler. Rookie Jrue Holiday may improve but do you want a shooting guard running your offense?
I think we have seen enough of Willie Green to know he is not an everyday starter. Not too mention Green is a shooter not a handler. Royal Ivey hasn't done anything in this league to say he is a starter either.
Bringing Iverson would not be a bad idea overall. He can play point guard good enough and he certainly can handle the ball. And he can still score some.
Having Iverson also could help Holiday get some looks. It would also likely move Iguodala to play the 3 where he is best suited. Iguodala and Thaddeus Young should be the forwards. Elton Brand? He could play center and alternate him and Dalembert. You could move Brand around when people sit also. Frankly Brand should come off the bench at this point.
Or if you could trade Brand that would be nice. I was cautiously excited to get him but he is not healthy. He is Derrick Coleman at this point. Almost reminds me of the Jeff Ruland debacle.
When Williams comes back you can move Iverson to the 2 and have Holiday come off the bench. Or Williams could come off the bench at first. Plus you can play Iverson at reduced minutes. 30 minutes would do the trick as long as he starts.
Okay the million dollar questions:
Will he pass the ball? Face it he is a ball hog. That said he has averaged in the 6 assist range. Which is more than your getting from anyone on your roster including Lou Williams your PG!
Will he practice? Probably no more than he ever has. But do you care at this point? And who knows maybe at first he would practice enough to get to know the squad.
The Eddie Jordan Princeton model? Not sure Iverson is the guy for that. Actually I am positive he is not! So Eddie would have to improvise a bit.
REALITY CHECK:
This team is going no where and Iverson is not going to put them over the top. But he will give them some juice. On and off the court. The Wachovia Center is empty now and Iverson will bring a few thousand more easy. That adds up. Plus jerseys and the like. Added publicity and promotional value also.
Iverson may be a good cub scout also because he wants to show teams he can still play for a contract next year.
On one hand if you lose the draft picks get higher. On the other hand most of the garbage coming out of college isn't worth it. SO losing for a pick is not a no brainer. And honestly even with Iverson, the wins are not going to pile up. But I think he gives you stability for the younger players. Ultimately you want to see them play for something. Do to that they need something to believe.
As a fan? I would do it!
