From Sam Smith of Bulls.com:
He’s in the final season of his contract making $20.8 million. I think he could be another Latrell Sprewell, who just walks away though he could play because he doesn’t want to deal with the major pay reduction, or change in role or limited playing opportunity.
The Pistons said when Iverson comes back he’ll be a bench player for the first time in his career. And he can be an effective one on some level. Come in and score. Once he cools off, take him out. Curry did concede Iverson wasn’t thrilled with the news he’ll return without a starting job.
But if you are running another team, can you risk adding someone like Iverson to your mix, someone no longer able to put up the 25 to 30-point games, which could often offset his individual play and scattered defense?
Clearly, the Nuggets are better without him, and that’s with a less talented Nuggets team without Marcus Camby. The Pistons seem better without him. The 76ers felt they were better without him. Can this all be coincidence?
I love the Latrell Sprewell comparison and I agree with Smith, this could be the last hurrah for Allen Iverson. He’s never going to change his game. He’s a high-volume, low-efficiency scorer who’s never understood the dynamics of team basketball.
As I glance at the standings, I can’t think of one team that should sign Iverson. He’s proven that he’s not the missing piece to a championship contender. And his box office appeal — not to mention “street cred” — will surely take a hit after losing his starting spot to Rip Hamilton.
So which team will sign him? He’ll never play for a small market team like Memphis, Minnesota, Charlotte or Oklahoma City. And at 34 years of age, he’s too long in the tooth to commit to a rebuilding process. That leaves almost contenders like Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Portland, Utah, Orlando and Phoenix. I don’t think Pat Riley or Daryl Morey will bite. Dallas is reportedly interested in extending J. Kidd. Utah has Deron Williams … and Jerry Sloan. Phoenix has Steve Nash. Orlando’s banking on Jameer Nelson’s return. Do you really want Iverson around Brandon Roy and Greg Oden? Mike Bibby runs the show and Joe Johnson has become an All-Star in the ATL.
It’s going to be an interesting summer for The Answer.
