Allen Iverson = Denver Nugget

[onpoint]

The Nugs get rid of Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two #1s for AI.

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

My (decidedly un-expert) opinion on the deal: Never was a big fan of Miller, who while a good point guard at getting others involved and driving the lane, couldn't make a 3 pointer to save his life. Joe Smith was a non-factor so far this year. It is a little weird to see the Nuggets taking this turn with their character, especially after the lean years when we first got 'Melo and pretty much had to restructure the team. Who's next to sign here? Zach Randolph? Stephen Jackson?

Will be exciting to see AI and Boykins on the floor - if they are ever out there at the same time. AI gives us a chance to win nearly every game and a bona fide outside threat to go with JR Smith. Can he and 'Melo co-exist? That's going to be the biggest question. Here is a potential starting lineup, even before K-Mart gets healthy:

PG - Iverson
SG - JR Smith
SF - Carmelo Anthony
PF - Nene/Eduardo Najera
C - Marcus Camby

Then you have either Nene or Najera coming off the bench with Boykins, Klaiza (who has been playing well) and possibly one more guy that we can get to play the outside. All things considered, this is a good trade for the Nuggets on paper. We will see how it pans out.

[Beta]

That's a hot line up. And they can beat up most teams in a bar fight too!

[Rob Graff]

1. Lux tax hell = Denv. Nuggets.

2. 1 Ball - Lots of shooters..... Lots of problems - And who gets the ball to Melo/Smith - AI?????

3. I thought Nene was hurt - am i incorrect?

4. Denver will score a hell of a lot of points.

5. Philly made out ok on the deal, but the final assessment will depend upon where the 2 picks are in the draft. If both are in the 10-15 range, I"m guessing Philly rapidly improves if they draft well.

6. Anyone want to bet that Larry Brown coaches the sixers next year - Miller is his type of PG.

[Dulax31]

This is the worst trade (or lack there of) in timberwolves history

[ZagGrad]

That's a hot line up. And they can beat up most teams in a bar fight too!

If by "beat up" you mean "slap, then run away" I will agree with you.

[Dan Wishengrad]

Any chance that AI is just a "rent-a-player" for Denver to provide scoring punch while Melo and his four Nugget buddies serve their suspensions? 15 games could be potentially 15 losses when you lose a third of your offense for more than a sixth of the season

It's possible that Denver turns around and trades AI yet AGAIN during or after the '06-'07 season -- depending on how things go and whether Iverson and Karl are making all lovey-dovey. It's only a matter of time until those two clash BIG TIME...

Just my two cents of course...

[Rob Graff]

Chris - you presume that the Wolves had a chance.

Rob

[KnoxVegas]

If this goes through, all Nuggets fans should thank the former governor of Virginia and current may of Richmond, Virginia, L. Douglas Wilder.

[Rob Graff]

Dan:

I think there are limitations on when you can trade players after you acquire them.

I know there are limitations on when you can trade a free agent after you sign him.

If I recall, you have 72 hours after the trade (maybe less) to re-trade, and then there is some type of morotorium.
Rob

[bste_lax]

This trade makes Denver better but I don't think it will allow them to top San Antonio/Phoenix/Dallas. They might be able to "upset" one of those three in playoffs but I doubt they could do 2 or 3 of those teams.

Their frontcourt is alright, when healthy, but who do they have that can guard Duncan, Dirk, or Amare (not that many teams can).

[onpoint]

Nene is fine, just out for one game suspension from the brawl. I'd take 'Melo in a fight against Marty Collins any day of the week. He knew he messed up and wanted out of the situation. I think Boykins continues to get good minutes as a distributer and the Nuggets perhaps go small with Boykins, AI and 'Melo all on the floor at once. I also don't think they did this to "replace" 'Melo so much as they did to deflect bad pub from the fight and to perhaps save the season.

[scooter]

This trade upsets me a ton, especially since I have Andre Miller on most of my fantasy teams......

[CATLAX MAN]

I'd take 'Melo in a fight against Marty Collins any day of the week. He knew he messed up and wanted out of the situation.

Actually, it is more accurately described as throwing a sucker punch and running away like a little bi-a-tch.

[StrykerFSU]

I think it is a great trade for the Nuggets. AI isn't nearly the bad character that he's been portrayed as in the media. Yes, Wilder pardoned him back in the day but he was a high schooler involved in a brawl and might have been targeted for prosecution because he was already quite a celeb in the Tidewater area. And we've all heard the "Practice? We talkin' 'bout practice." rant a hundred times but he's going to bring toughness and leadership to a Nuggets team that is sorely in need of some guidance on how to win.

Don't worry about 'Melo adjusting. I have no doubt that the two will coexist just fine because of AI's stature in the league. I would venture to guess that 'Melo had posters of AI's on his wall while he was growing up in B'more and will be very happy to have him out there on the floor. As for Boykins, AI is better as a 2-guard anyway so I think Little Earl's job is safe.

AI is one of the toughest players this side of Jordan and he's a blessing to any team that can get him. Remember when he took the Sixers to the Finals nearly singlehandedly? Name one other star player from that team, and don't give me the tree trunk formerly named Mutombo. AI is one of the top 10 players in the league right now (and 'Melo is another) and the Nuggets stole him from Billy King (gaining ground on Isiah for #1 on the people who would lose to my dog in Scrabble list) and the Sixers.

[KnoxVegas]

Mardy Collins Profile
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/mardy_collins/index.html?nav=page