The Pistons have been awful on Sundays this season, 0-5 before this week's match at Atlanta with losses to such omnipotent foes as the 4-22 Minnesota Timberwolves and the 11-15 New York Knicks. And as nobly as Detroit competed this time around, the team still fell to the Hawks 85-78.Perhaps worse news is that Michael Curry benched Allen Iverson with four minutes left and the Pistons down six. Sitting A.I. made a bit of sense: The Answer had an awful shooting game (4-for-11) and fellow starter Rodney Stuckey had played well on the offensive end (20 points on 12 shots). Curry needed to keep sixth man Antonio McDyess in the game for rebounding help, and wanted Stuckey in there. Out came A.I. with the second-year guard heading back in.
Iverson didn't seem to take it well.
Those suspicions were verified once Rip Hamilton was ejected in a weird sequence with a minute and change left. Hamilton hit the floor on the offensive end after an apparent inadvertent elbow to the masked face by Mike Bibby. Steve Javie hit Rip with a rare flagrant tech, which is an ejection.
As such, Curry needed Iverson back on the floor for the last minute. Iverson looked extremely irritated by the call. On the team's last possession, the ball swung to A.I. behind the arc with the team (down five) needing a quick score to have a chance. He passed it off immediately, despite being pretty open. Once Tayshaun Prince's three rimmed out and the Hawks captured the rebound, A.I. made no attempt to chase and foul the rebounder. (Honestly, no Piston but Stuckey went for the foul quickly.)
Iverson's had more run-ins with Curry in six weeks than he did in almost two years under George Karl. I'm not sure what that says ... but I think it says something.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Now there's a trade that Detroit wishes it had never made.
Nobody should have fouled after Prince missed that shot. 11 seconds left and down five points, it's over.
Stuckey fouling down five points with 5 seconds left doesn't indicate anything good.
Was Iverson really seething?
Hey everyone i think i have come up with a real good trade. Let me know what you think - good or bad - about it. I think the Cavs should offer Big Z, D. West, and A. Varejao and possibly a pick or 2 to Detroit for Iverson. The salaries match up....
AI is a great talent, but he's 33. Giving up three decent young players and a draft pick would really hurt their depth...especially if LBJ decides to leave in 2010. They'd be stuck with a 35yr old AI and no one behind him, unless they could make some more moves. Also, the East is all about defense these days and AI doesn't really provide much in that aspect of the game.
But yes, Cleveland definitely needs help from somewhere. I just can't see them beating my Celtics with their current lineup.
are you serious? why the hell would we do that. i read a lot of message boards and that ranks up there with the dumbest trade suggestions i have ever heard. i wouldnt give up Delonte and Varajao for Iverson let alone throw in Z and a pick or two. you are insane! 3 players and 2 picks for Iverson when the Cavs are 23-4? wow. i honestly cannot believe you would even suggest that.
Dumar's job should be on the line with this Billups for Iverson blunder. An obviously lousy trade that has upset the entire team.
Well that's not the brightest comment I've read. Dumars job should be on the line? The guy made the deal for cap space and cap space only. Iverson will not be a Piston next year, he's a rent-a-guard. So if it works, great, but if it doesn't, so what? The Pistons will have enough money to attract a marquee free agent like Chris Bosh coupled with a nucleus of young stars like Stuckey, Afflalo, Bynum, Sharpe, Prince and Johnson.
THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT BILLUPS 4 IVERSON IS JUST ANOTHER BILLUPS ONLY BAD AND THUG THEY NEED TO REVALUTE THE TEAM BUT NOT WHEN THEY LOSE HAMMOND ARE THEY ABLE TO NOW
DAVIDSON YOU HITCHED YOUR BOAT TO DUMARS AND NOW HES TAKIN YOU DOWN
Bosh to Cle after 2010. What a powerhouse for years!