The Perpetual NBA Thread

**empy** · December 15th, 2006 03:48 AM

dito ka na lang Allen...we'll shower you with the love you deserve

the number 3 is taken, but there are plenty more to choose from

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

Heat coach and president Pat Riley said Wednesday night that he has a "level of interest" in Iverson, a four-time NBA scoring champion whom the 76ers are trying to trade, although it's unknown if Miami is actually involved in any serious talks with Philadelphia about making a deal.

"I would be delinquent in my responsibilities if I wasn't interested in Allen Iverson," Riley said. "That's all I'm going to say. I'm not going to comment any more. It's like when Shaquille [O'Neal] came out there. I was frothing at the mouth. So my level of interest can be gauged on that comment."

The Iverson watch has dragged on all week and the 76ers haven't responded well to the distraction on the court. The Sixers lost their ninth straight game on Thursday, falling 101-81 to the Celtics in Philadelphia. Many teams are rumored to be telling 76ers GM Billy King they have what he needs. Riley hasn't been shy about dealing in the past.

Riley pulled off a blockbuster deal in the summer of 2004, when he obtained O'Neal from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and Brian Grant, plus a draft pick.

If this trade somehow worked out, it would classify as another huge move for the Heat -- who won the NBA title last season, but are off to a 9-12 start this year after losing 99-89 to Phoenix on Wednesday. And there's some in the Miami locker room paying close attention to all the Iverson trade talk.

"He's that guy in the NBA," said Heat forward James Posey -- who could be included in any deal that sends Iverson to South Florida. "He's that All-Star who can fill up arenas and things like that. Everybody pays attention to that, and until it ends, everybody's going to stay tuned because everybody wants to know where he's going, what team's going to make that move."

Several deals have been rumored, but apparently nothing has worked to satisfy either Iverson -- who requested a trade last week -- or the 76ers.

"They're playing the field," Riley said. "That's what they should do."

**tsupermario** · December 15th, 2006 07:48 AM

Pierce on AI:

One question keeps coming up with every mention of Iverson possibly landing in Boston: Can Iverson and Paul Pierce coexist?

"I think it would work out with the two of us," said Pierce. "I played with the biggest jacker in league history in Antoine Walker, didn't I? He was just jacking up shots. At least Iverson might go hit them at a higher clip and get to the free throw line."

:bwahaha:

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketb...to_wear_green/

**wren** · December 15th, 2006 09:05 AM

:bwahaha:

it's only funny 'cause it's true. walker was the biggest jacker in the league's history when he played for the celts.

**mazdamazda** · December 15th, 2006 09:06 AM

Gasol will be back in action against the Heat tomorrow! :jump:

**BlueBimmer** · December 15th, 2006 10:14 AM

hahaha walker sucks!

**jasprit** · December 15th, 2006 03:45 PM

I dont totally agree that walker "SUCKS" we should also remember the things he did rigth he's an all-star player Honestly walker was preety good in celt's uniform. I think????

**BlueBimmer** · December 15th, 2006 03:51 PM

i should rephrase that...walker sucks currently :bwahaha:

**Altis6453** · December 15th, 2006 03:56 PM

His coming off the bench is also a factor. Walker's been a starter for most of his basketball career and I don't think he's adjusted to his bench role well. Also, another thing to consider is that the ball doesn't go through him as much in the Heat's offense since they have D Wade and Shaq. He's too slow to guard opposing three's and is too small to out-muscle the bigger four's of the league. He looks like he's trying to hard to find his shot that's why he mostly takes ill-advised 3-pointers. If he can't find any improvement, Miami should seriously consider trading him.

**Eismann** · December 15th, 2006 04:02 PM

He was pretty good in Celtics uniform....he's pretty good at jacking up shots.
He's an awful player. Though I give it to him when he toned down and gave way for Wade and JWill in Miami last season.

**jasprit** · December 15th, 2006 04:06 PM

Once I was sitting midcourt at the Fleet Center when Iverson was whistled for a technical, yelped in disbelief, then followed the referee toward the scorer's table and screamed, "[Bleep] you!" at the top of his lungs. The official whirled around and pulled his whistle toward his mouth for a second technical.

And I swear on my daughter's life, the following moment happened: As the official started to blow the whistle, Iverson's eyes widened and he moved angrily toward the official, almost like someone getting written up for a parking ticket who decides it would just be easier to punch out the meter maid. For a split-second, there was real violence in the air. Of course, the rattled official lowered his whistle and never called the second T. By sheer force of personality, Iverson kept himself in the game.

Look, I'm not condoning what happened. It was a frightening moment. At the same time, I haven't seen a player bully a referee like that before or since. And that goes back to the "seeing him in person" thing. Iverson plays with a compelling, hostile, bloodthirsty energy that the other players just don't have. He's relentless in every sense of the word. He's a warrior. He's an alpha dog. He's a tornado. He's so fast and coordinated that it genuinely defies description. He's just crazy enough that officials actually cower in his presence. And none of this makes total sense unless you've seen him.

Hindi ko alam to ah????