Is Iverson Really An Option?

by Chris Alvino on July 31st, 2009 at 10:25 am

Frank Isola keeps bringing up Iverson. I am not in his head, but it appears that Isola is having visions of Iverson lighting up the Garden with his energy, his scoring ability, and his attitude. With the Knicks set to offer Ramon Sessions a deal, is Iverson really an option?  I do not think so.

If I were to take a guess, I would say that the vast majority of Knicks fans want nothing to do with Iverson. Can I blame them? Iverson went to Detroit last year and the results were not pretty. To make matters worse, Chauncey Billups helped bring the Nuggets to the Western Conference finals, perhaps proving that Iverson’s brand of basketball does not win in the NBA. Last season was not a memorable one for Iverson. The lack of interest in the former MVP and scoring champ.

So again, is Iverson really an option? Let me play devil’s advocate for a second and present this scenario. Iverson was brought into Detroit to play the point, a position he is capable of playing, but not the position he is best at playing. He was brought to a veteran team that was well set in its ways. The incumbent roster was comfortable playing with each other. Taking out Billups and adding Iverson (two completely different players) ruined that comfort level. Iverson changed that gameplan.

The Knicks need to get Sessions in my opinion. I do not want to give him the full MLE, especially if Donnie finds himself competing against himself (LAC should not be an option for Sessions. LA would be a graveyard for his career. The only competition would be the Bucks matching at this point). Sessions is a PG… a young, talented PG. So what would Iverson bring to the table? Iverson is best suited at the SG spot. Iverson has been one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA ever since he stepped foot on the NBA hardwood. There is absolutely no denying that. On the bi-annual deal, does Iverson fit as our starting SG? Iverson wants to play for a coach that will understand his game. What exactly is his game? Quick shooting. High volume shooting. Speed. Energy. Running the fast break. Playmaking. Would D’Antoni understand how to utilize that kind of game? Iverson is not a great outside shooter, a major negative.

The Knicks need star power. The Knicks need to make the playoffs this year. We know both of those things. But is Iverson the Answer? With high volume shooters like Wilson Chandler (certain games), Al Harrington, and Larry Hughes (among others), I am not sure if Iverson fits the game plan here. Perhaps this summer has humbled Iverson. Perhaps Iverson now realizes that he cannot be the chucker that he has been for his entire career. In NY, Iverson would not be the man. He would start, but he would have to be a part of a team. If the Knicks bring back Nate Robinson, then forget about Iverson. They would play a similar role. But if we can only have either for one season, do you want Iverson or Nate? I might give Nate the edge because of his shooting ability, but my gut tells me that Iverson would help the Knicks win more games, if for nothing else than simply being a bigger presence on the floor.

Again, if I were to decide on Iverson, I am not sure what I would say. If this team was not stocked with one year mercenaries, I would say “absolutely not” to AI. But with the one year rentals, chemistry for the future is not the objective for the 2009-10 season. The Knicks right now lack a true identity. The Nuggets had Melo. The Pistons had their core. What do the Knicks have? The only big problem would be a possible negative effect on Gallo and Wilson. Iverson will take shots away from those two guys. But so will Nate.

I am up in the air on this situation. For the 1 year, bi-annual exception, would AI worth the risk? Right now, I am leaning towards NO. The reason is that Iverson does not bring this team closer to a championship, only to the playoffs. Iverson will not morph this team into an elite team in the East… I do not think at least. There is a big risk, if just for one season. But I can see the argument for why it’s worth trying. Again, I am not reading Isola’s mind, but I get the impression that he would want the guy. Others adamantly say no. As of right now, I say take care of Sessions. If Sessions does not come, then I might be more inclined to say yes to Iverson.

Your thoughts? Is Iverson really an option?

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • michaelspo

    2 reasons why AI would be a good for the knicks

    1) suppose AI does not come to the knicks and if they do not make the playoffs. Lottery pick – and if it is a top 3 – not a good look. i am dreading the knicks not making he playoffs next year and that pick being high. DREADING!

    2) AI is a proven winner, MVP and carried his team to the finals. true in his prime years ago – but even now he is better than what N8 can bring to the team. Anything to make the playoffs this year……….. + like you said – the knicks will look better to free agents in 2010.

  • http://www.jeffzachowski.com Jeff Zachowski

    oh boy, here we go again alvino

  • edhan

    I don’t get how people still don’t know that we don’t have our pick next year.

  • Chris Alvino

    Jeff- I said no to him.

    I guess I probably should have put that near the top instead of at the bottom. Haha.

  • michaelspo

    i know we do not own the pick – that is why i am dreading it being a lottery pick. if utah snagged a top 3 – i would be real upset about it. that is why i am begging the team make the playoffs.

  • Chris Alvino

    Well no unless Sessions doesn’t come here, then i would consider it more heavily.

    I simply wrote the argument for him. Not saying that I want him here.

  • MrFurious

    I don’t really see how AI is a significant upgrade over N8. AI from a 3 or 4 years ago…sure!…but now? He’s damaged goods. If we had roster stability you might bring him in and if he was knucklehead you could just bench him. But this is a fragile team, still trying to develop some younger players and allowing them to find their identity…I think the risk that AI would suffocate that development is too great. I live in michigan, he bitched a lot about not getting PT…it was an ugly distraction…haven’t we had enough of entitled ex ALL-STAR players? Better to roll with N8…he’s the devil you know.

  • gbaked

    if nate was gone… signed in europe or with another team…

    then I would say AI would be a good stopgap

    but not with nate here

  • MUGSY

    if sessions doesnt work i would take a 1 year run at AI and also sign nate if ai shows maturity then he will work great if he doesnt he should be traded or released in our position we should take advantage of the face that we are one of the few teams with money

  • MUGSY

    fact* not face

  • bmathews77

    The only thing A.I would be good for is to draw fans to the Garden. He will not get this team into the playoffs and he will not be a team player. He’s been playing his way his whole life and it’s not going to change now.

  • smoke

    Nate is better than AI at this point I’m sorry to say… he just has that youthful pop to him and a much better outside jump shot (except for that huge slump he had this year). AI has all but lost that big time energy and athleticism that he relied on earlier in his career to be the great player that he was, which is a big reason why he was so ineffective for the pistons last year. I would rather take the up and coming 25 year old little player who has his body and can shoot at a decent percentage than the 34 year old about to retire little player who can’t shoot as well as nate nor penetrate as well at this point, and has 13 years of high volume nba experience tolling his body.

  • KBT1615

    AI was playing the 2 mostly with Detroit and he messed up the Chemistry the Pistons already established.
    In Denver AI played point with JR being his two guard meaning both couldn’t guard their man that good with that going along with AI taking Possessions from Carmelo.
    The key in everything is AI had something to mess up with Detroit and Denver Star Players, Already established Chemistry.
    What does he have to mess up here?

  • JASONHAYES

    I just would like to say, everyone is worried about a team concept and the development of ill will, and gallo, but whose to say they will ever be great players. How will they ever improve if this team does not make the playoffs, and find out what its like to play at a higher level.
    Now for those worried about a “Team Concept”, what do you think is gonna happen when Lebron gets here? The offense will run through him like it always has. So whats wrong with Allen Iverson coming here and helping us achieve the playoffs, and get a lil more attention to the knicks this season? Hey, you never know, he might even excel here. He is no “MARBURY”, he’s more battle tested, he’s achieved more than steph ever could.
    But i want to see what happens with Sessions first, but Iverson should be a serious consideration, STOP PUTTING THIS MAN DOWN!

  • JASONHAYES

    Oh and one more thing, regardless of how anyone feels about him, this man is still a FUTURE HALL OF FAMER!!!!!

  • BiggieSmalls

    NO TO AI .. Not what we need here.. AND he is washed up.

  • KBT1615

    Iverson can still score and is less of a ON COURT headcase.

  • Chris Alvino

    I am not sure he is washed up quite yet. You’re right. He might not be what we need here, but I do not think that he is totally washed up yet.

  • omar

    the belief that iverson is “washed up” and “damaged goods” makes no sense to me. 2 years ago he averaged 27 points and essentially his entire career he has always tallied up at least 7 assists a game. the situation in detroit was a disaster thanks to detroit salivating at the thought of rodney stuckey running the point there (glad to see that worked out for them…) and the fact that iverson moved one of the teams most important and most tenured player in rip hamilton to the bench before AI himself was moved to the bench. and then the convenient back injury that allowed him to sit out the rest of the year? iverson is a premier scorer and can distribute the ball to a degree, and to tell me that allen iverson isnt better than NATE ROBINSON and LARRY HUGHES? that has to be a joke. this is iversons last chance, he knows it, and he absolutely has something to prove. a one year cheap rental on a surefire hall of fame player who would seemingly fit great into d’antoni’s system has to be considered in my opinion

  • Sergio

    Allen Iverson would be a terrible idea. I didn’t even like him in his prime in Philly. I always thought Iverson was very overrated. Yeah, he played hard. I’ll give him that. But there is too much baggage. He’s a 6 foot SG who takes 25 shots to average 30 ppg on 40% shooting. This is not what we need. And not to mention, we’re trying to rebuild the culture here after what Cancerbury and Isiah Thomas did. Iverson is cut from the same mold as those two. PASS!!

  • karrbinator

    I think AI is only a good option if Nate and Sessions fall through. The bottom line is, in just 2007-2008 season, he averaged 26 and 7 a night while playing in all 82 games…maybe this was just an off year for AI. But I definitely prefer the youth of Nate and Sessions…we all know AI wouldn’t be here long term.

  • KBT1615

    Don’t you think you are a little biased if you never liked him..

  • Chris Alvino

    That’s fair. That in a nutshell is the argument against Iverson.

  • MrFurious

    Fair enough. He’s not Marbury. He has consistently brought his teams into the playoffs and even got the 76ers to a championship series. But he whines A LOT. if you follow the Pistons, which I do cause I live in Michigan he was a little bitch last year. He has ALWAYS clashed with coaches in his career which, when you are stud, you are forgiven…but his All-Star days are far behind and what you have left is a diminishing skill set with an over sized ego. We can do better. We don’t need him.

  • BiggieSmalls

    He’ll give that whole crap story that if he aint starting he cant play and then.. we talkin about PRACTICE?

    forget it.. let him make videos with Marbury.

  • Bruno

    Sessions or bust.

  • KBT1615

    Rip didn’t like that Pistons coach from last year either..Not saying AI isn’t one though..

  • MrFurious

    Iverson averaged 27 points 2 years ago! Wooohooo! The guy is 34 and on the downside of his career. he plays no D, and people that tell you different haven’t watched him recently. He may still be better than Nate (and Hughes) scoring wise but Nate is on our team, has way more upside at this point of his career and you pretty much know what your getting. Signing AI is something Thomas would do…big splash…gets people talking and likely destroys our season and chemistry because he’ll bitch to the press about PT or set fire to his home accidentally.

  • j

    http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/bucks.html

    bucks have signed warrick.

    sessions might become a knick after all.

  • mshmu
  • Mucha

    ???????????

    Realgm got their information from Isola (see the New York Daily News link).

  • Mucha

    “Told Knix-Iverson has “no chance”…Sessions is the target. Next week”

    Alan Hahn – http://twitter.com/Alanhahn

  • DKA

    I think that Isola threw out the Iverson rumor to bother Hahn on his vacation :) Iverson for the Knicks is/was an awful idea. I don’t want AI anywhere near this team. We have to mature as a team and build toward something; AI accomplishes neither and is likely to retard our core’s development. I don’t possibly get how you could consider him with this team. AI and Curry, great combo; not quite.

  • DKA

    Let alone AI and Harrington. Yikes.

  • bmathews77

    If Iverson came to NY i’m sure the media will be all over him especially if he misses PRACTICE! =)

  • paulempson

    How is NY going to have $ next summer by spending mle money on a back up 1 ?

    They should go after 1 year deals that are upgrades from last summer and stick to the plan

    Pray Curry is relevant this year

  • paulempson

    See….thats a big mistake to even think that way. You think , after last year and the fact that NO ONE has made him an offer that he wont practice? Puh-leez. AI will be hungry

    And AI and Marbury cannot be spoken about in the same sentence

  • paulempson

    Bust is right ! Bust as in next summer !!

  • http://www.bagsandbackpacksgirl.com/roxy-bags/where-can-i-buy-really-kl-vans-or-roxy-bags-2/ Where Can I Buy Really Kl Vans Or Roxy Bags? | Roxy Bags, Roxy Backpacks and More

    [...] The K&#110ick&#115 Blo&#103 » I&#115 Iver&#115o&#110 R&#101ally An Opt&#105on? [...]