CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Mixed Messages on the Iverson Deal

June 30, 2006

It is very confusing trying to figure out what is going on with Danny and trying to trade for Iverson. Depending on which paper or blog you read, The deal is close to being made or there is nothing to the rumor. If you are a Celtics fan you either salivate or cringe at the thought of bringing him in.

You need to look no further than this morning's papers to see both sides. Steve Bulpett's article in the Herald makes the case that bringing in Iverson will make the Celtics relevant again. Watching Pierce and Iverson play together would make the Celtics a must watch game.

On the other hand, Jackie MacMullin shares her opinion that AI is not the answer in Boston. He blows off practice, disrespects his coaches, and would send the complete wrong message to our core of young players. To top that off, Jackie mentions how Danny was concerned with Pierce's night life a couple of years ago and Iverson would make Pierce look like a shut in.

I agree with Jackie. I think that AI would be a complete wrong fit for our team. In spite of all the assurances that AI and Pierce could play well together, I have my doubts. Both have been the top dog for long enough that neither one would want to relinquish that spot. And we have some very hard working kids on our team and bringing in a player who has no use for hard work or for practice would send the wrong message to them. This team has built a very good chemistry and I am afraid that bringing in AI would disrupt that. You can go back to the Laker team that had 4 all stars on it... Kobe, Shaq, Malone and Payton and still couldn't win the championship because their chemistry was off... and that would be a distinct possibility if Iverson were to be brought in.

And then if we get past the debate over whether we even want him, there are the reports that the deal is next to being done and the others saying that it is no where close. This morning on Philly Sports radio the report is that the deal will be Green, Rondo and Gooden to Philly, AI to Boston and Wally to Cleveland. But at the same time, yesterday in an SI article, King was quoted as saying that there were talks at one time but that any potential deal with the Celtics is no longer alive.

Danny is saying that he is exploring a deal with Philly for Iverson but that Iverson isn't the only name on his list. On one hand he says that he won't give up our future to win a few games now but that he may have to give up some of our young players to make a deal. Will he give up Jefferson? Yesterday's paper quote's Big Al saying that he asked Danny and was told he has nothing to worry about. Will he give up Green? Who knows. Will he give up West? With all the PG's he is bringing in, that is a possibility or he may trade one of the new PGs even though he seems very excited to have both of them. Will he give up Gomes? Drafting Powe may point to that. Will he give up Tony? Nothing has been said either way about Tony so there is no way to know.

We are seeing smokescreens and mixed messages from both sides. I know many Celtics fans feel we need Iverson to get to the next level. They feel that we need another major move. Danny says that he will trade only if the price is right. But what price is too high? Is Gerald too big a price to pay? Is Big Al? Is Delonte? Is Perk? I happen to think so. I would be happy to keep our team just the way it is now. I think Danny has made some good moves and would be willing to give the kids a year to prove that they have real talent and not just potential before giving up on any of them. We don't need an All Star because we may have a few on the roster already if we just give them a chance to prove it.
source: Various

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