What's the Impact of the Billups/Iverson Trade?

Matt Watson: The Pistons finally shook up their core and the Nuggets cashed in on Allen Iverson's expiring contract. We know this deal will give Detroit uber-cap-flexibility the next two summers, but does how does it change their status this year? Can they get back to the Conference Finals, let alone the NBA Finals, with AI replacing Chauncey Billups? Did they make up any ground on the Celtics?

Matt Moore: Give me a list of elite scorers in this league. How far does it take to get to Iverson? You're inserting an elite scorer, albeit aging, into a sound defensive squad that's made of committed, professional veterans. When Billups started to falter, the team lacked a guy who could hit the big shots down the stretch. I think Hamilton is or could be that guy, but it never hurts to have more. Is there really any question that Iverson will do whatever is asked of him to get to a championship?

I'm one of the few that saw a noticeable downturn in Billups game last season (insert Watson rant). It doesn't mean he's not terrific. He is. But I still consider this an upgrade. It's like everyone's completely forgotten about all the good things Iverson brings to a team because of a badly conceived, badly managed, badly constructed, badly coached, Denver team.

Do I think they're better than the Celtics? No. Am I willing to put money on it? No.

Matt Watson: You're not alone in thinking Billups is over the hill -- I never listen to talk radio, but I was in the car for a bit after this trade was announced on Monday and was shocked to hear the host and many of the callers rag on him much worse than you were.

Personally, I think people are putting too much stock in how he finished the year -- hobbling on an ailing groin thanks to Jameer Nelson's sly leg hook. And let's face it, he doesn't put up amazing numbers on the surface considering the Pistons play the slowest pace in the league and the fact that the Pistons try to keep their veterans under 32-34 minutes since they know they're going to be playing deep into the year.

That said, from where I'm sitting, the dude posted the best season of his career last year. He posted a career-high 23.6 PER, had a True Shooting Percentage of 61.9% and hardly ever turns the ball over. No, he's not flashy, but he's damn efficient, and given the Pistons' system, he was a perfect fit.

On the flip side, what the Pistons had wasn't working, and taking a calculated gamble that also features such a huge payoff in the future in terms of cap relief was a no-brainer. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pistons win another 59 games, just like they did last year. There's no way AI plays 40+ minutes, but he'll give everything he has for the 32-34 he's on the court, and that can only rub off on everyone.

Am I crazy? And is putting AI and Rasheed Wallace on the same roster a recipe for disaster?

Matt Moore: I just think that Billups give you something you can always rely on but can no longer give you any "wow" moments. Iverson has a few of those left in him.

My first reaction? Amir Johnson is getting buckets. Iverson's steals and slashing is going to open up some lanes for big plays from Johnson and Jason Maxiell. It makes them lethal fast in small doses. Additionally, you notice what Joe Johnson did to the Celtics in a seven game series? Imagine if he had had competent rebounders and defenders. I'm not comparing the two players, but the Celtics have severe problems with elite scoring players, even Kobe Bryant, you just don't notice because Kobe's Kobe.

When was the last time Sheed was a problem in the locker room? He's a professional. I don't think it'll be an issue.

Brett Edwards: Billups was efficient as hell in that system, but something needed to be done to shake the complacency from a team that went to the Conference Finals six straight seasons. By trading for Iverson, the team adds one of the league's pre-eminent scorers, and by doing so gives them a chance to get past the Celtics or Cavs in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

You need players like Iverson (or LeBron James or Paul Pierce) that can score in the halfcourt set when your opponent's team defense locks you up in the post-season. Someone that can create and score on his own is something the Pistons haven't had recently, and they get that immediately by bringing in Iverson. And hey, if it doesn't work, then they're clear of approximately $20 million in cap space to try and make some moves for next season. I hate to see Billups go, but the risk/reward factor was too great for Detroit not to make this deal.

Matt Watson: I agree about Rasheed not being a problem anymore. And I guess, truth be told, the same can be said for AI. Their reputations precede them, even if it's no longer based on anything.

So has the gap between Boston and Detroit closed? It's dumb to predict things this far in the future, but right now, who gets out of the East? I'm going out on a limb and saying the Pistons.

What about the Nuggets? The last time we talked about them I don't think anyone thought of them as a playoff team. Is Billups (and Antonio McDyess, assuming he reports) enough to get them the eight seed?

Personally, I think it will. With Billups at the helm, I'm guessing Carmelo Anthony leads the league in scoring (big limb, huh?). He'll protect the ball, and he'll help improve their defense a lot. With AI in Denver, the Nuggets' offense seemed haphazard, as if everybody was always fighting for their shots. With Billups there, it should run more smoothly.

Brett Edwards: If I'm the Nuggets, I wouldn't exactly be excited to get the eight seed, considering the team has an eight game losing streak against the likely one seed, the Lakers. Still, Carmelo going on a scoring tear is a good prediction, and if George Karl (and to some degree, Billups) can get this team to play just a little bit of defense, they could do a little better than the eighth spot. Denver has talent, they're just lacking grit ... which is something Billups may very well be able to provide.

Matt Moore: Detroit still hasn't close the gap, simply because the young 'uns for Detroit haven't shown they can step up and be difference makers in the ECF yet. It's a narrow gap, but it's still there. We'll have to keep an eye on how Boston develops, though. Anyone who wanted to doubt the Pistons core, though, take a look at trouncing a team with backups tonight. Bobcats or no, they're brutally efficient.

The Nuggets? Ho-hum. Melo shoots. Linas Kleiza doesn't get enough opportunities because he's a three. J.R. Smith gets more opportunities. Defense suffers. Nene regresses back to the median. Nuggets fail to make the playoffs.