Report: Allen Iverson in 'Very Serious' Talks With Clippers

You would think that Allen Iverson's chief goal this summer would be to land on a contender, in the hopes of winning a championship. You would also think that the Los Angeles Clippers would be low on his list of choices, given that the Clipjoint aren't exactly, well, ever contenders.

But the Los Angeles Times decided to warm up the WTF Machine this evening (first via Twitter) as they heard out in Vegas that Iverson and LAC are in "very serious" talks to bring the future Hall of Famer out west.

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Talks between the Clippers and free-agent guard Allen Iverson have been characterized as "very serious," according a source close to Iverson who was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations.

It seems -- to me anyway -- like an odd marriage, especially at this stage of Iverson's career. Los Angeles has a very solid backcourt, in theory, with Baron Davis and Eric Gordon, even if the two players are on the opposite ends of their career, time-wise.

Bringing in Iverson means, one would think, that the Clippers want to make a run at the West immediately and that they plan on bringing Gordon off the bench, even though that seems somewhat bizarre given their commitment to Gordon as the shooting guard of the future.

Additionally, while I think that Iverson's "bad chemistry" factor is a touch overrated, this is a Clippers team with an already pretty interesting mix of characters between veterans Davis, Marcus Camby and the youth of Gordon and Blake Griffin.

Now, I'm not saying that bringing in a controversial character like Iverson -- at the mid-level, naturally -- would disrupt whatever chemistry the Clippers have rolling now, or that it would have a bad effect on the youngsters. But I do think that two things can/will happen: first, you undermine Gordon's development, provided he's not uber-humble and willing to take a backseat to a legend in the late stages of his career. And secondly, if the experiment fails and the Clippers don't win right away, what happens then? Because the answer probably lies somewhere between "chaos" and "anarchy."

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-13-2009 @ 11:30PM

clippers8200 said...

I'd give the Clippers more credit, if I were you.

7-14-2009 @ 2:02PM

Hugh said...

If the question is: Who is the most egotistical, selfish, lazy bum in the NBA? Then Allen Iverson really is "The Answer".

7-14-2009 @ 12:47AM

Giles said...

Dunleavy`s Clippers play NO defense. Iverson would not improve that. They are already in chaos/anarchy. Iverson would not worsen that. He was an all star last season, might be again this season. Getting him for a MLE if he stays healthy would probably be a bargain for some team. Are the Clippers going to start Randolph or Griffin at wing forward, or maybe wing guard, with Kaman and Camby at the posts? Would that provide a lot of defensive quickness on the perimeter, two centers starting with two power forwards? Yet a Davis and Iverson backcourt would likewise lack defensive size. Maybe the Clippers would do well to consider trading for one Dunleavy, at wing forward/guard, whether they retain the other or not. They need maybe both wings. Davis when healthy can play, though it is the same position as Iverson, different style of point. Camby can`t be a one man defense, though he blocks shots, he tries. And yes, Gordon can come off the bench behind an all star, Iverson, or a former all star, Davis, if he wants to win. And if he doesn`t want to win, who cares whether he is unhappy coming off the bench or not?

7-14-2009 @ 3:01AM

duicrimlawyer said...

Adding Iverson is the best thing that could be done for that team. For years the Clippers have dealt with empty seats. He will fill seats and help jump start their offense.

Baron Davis and Iverson in the back court with Camby and Griffin in the line up, incredible.

7-14-2009 @ 9:11AM

jcdyette said...

I agree with duicrimlawyer adding Iverson in the lineup would create a scoring team all over the floor with Iverson and Baron's range with either one able to dump it low to Griffin or Camby for the easy lay up or dunk. Believe it or not this could be a very good choice for the clippers.

7-14-2009 @ 10:05AM

jim forrester said...

with or without Iverson, the Clippers will have a much more exciting team to watch. Griffin, Camby and Baron are a great fit together on the floor.

7-14-2009 @ 10:04AM

arlissholmes said...

What a gtreat deal for the Clips. This would be all that is needed for them to continue as the worst franchise in professional sports. Iverson did alot for the Pistons, didn't he? He is an overrated, washed-up, selfish, one-dimensional midget who has been a disgrace to the game of basketball.

7-14-2009 @ 10:09AM

nickcherryl said...

That this is one slime dog that I thought would be in the grave by now, this guy has had more brushes with the law than any normal person, but this ass hole is no normal person, a pure thug just like Vick, but staying out of the cell.

7-14-2009 @ 10:14AM

Mike said...

Just proves that no other teams want Iverson. On the Clips or not, it, in the long run, means nothing but a paycheck to Iverson.

7-14-2009 @ 10:36AM

bevi1001 said...

Here come trouble.

7-14-2009 @ 12:09PM

sjmarkets said...

He should be in prison instead.

7-14-2009 @ 12:22PM

koloasrf4u said...

AI is the world's biggest a--h-l-. He comes to Vegas and is a cheap arrogant SOB. He is prejudice and a total jerk to the waitreses and the pit bosses. He should be sitting home playing video games next season cause he is a toxic waste dump for every team he is on.

7-14-2009 @ 2:32PM

Louis K. said...

clips suck, baron and camby gonna get hurt as they do every year. griffin will shine alone.

7-14-2009 @ 4:31PM

dwss7 said...

DAMN AND I THOUGHT SHAQ WAS GETTING PUT DOWN GOING TO CLEVLAND GO BIG SHAQ KOBE SUCKS AND IS ALSO A BIG AZZHOLE

7-14-2009 @ 5:03PM

spikeritz said...

Hey AI.... You ARE welcome back here in Denver. I don't care what anyone says he was a gentlemen here and a true team player. As a Nugget fan I would welcome him back with open arms knowing he would make a great contribution here.... Hey Nuggets Management, bring him back and keep who we have.... We are on the verge!

7-14-2009 @ 5:26PM

Throwing cow chips at public figures while safely hidden in the bushes has always been a popular pass time. Whether it is Allen Iverson, Madonna, Ron Artest, or whomeever. Iverson missed practice ONCE, because of injury, not dogging practice because he was lazy, but the press tried to make it seem so. He has played, and practiced, a higher percentage of the time than most. He is an easy target, a prissy little guy who misses an enormous number of shots. But he takes the ball to the hoop with authority, and was an all star again last year, though may not be any more. And Shaq is a former has been. An all star again last season, thanks to Bill Cartwright`s assistant coaching in Phoenix. Unless Iverson sells tickets in an economic depression, I don`t think he is the right fit for the Clippers, but he would arguably be their best guard, which isn`t bad. I think they need defense, speed, defense, size, defense, on the wings, and Iverson can`t provide that, and neither can anyone currently on their roster.

7-14-2009 @ 7:32PM

jma91122 said...

keep talking poeple,all i have to say is i wish i lived by the clippers to get to watch this team with Allen Iverson and ,all he wants to do is play and play at a high level,something the piston quit doing half way thruw the year,dont blame Iverson for that,helped turn denver around ,wait he has something to prove to everyone,,thats going to be an exciteing team to watch and every real nba fan see,s it comeing,

7-14-2009 @ 7:34PM

ThE HuMaN ToRcH said...

all you AI haters can suck balls

7-14-2009 @ 9:53PM

CHYNADOLL said...

I been a AI fan for 10 years , but I can't understand for the life of me , why teams want him to come off the bench ? The bench is for unskilled players , AI has unlimited capabilities when he got the ball his hand ..His image shouldn't have anything to do with whether he should start or not ...Come on now ..

7-14-2009 @ 7:59PM

portsideone said...

remember when basketball was a team sport not a one player sport.now days a player may get a season or two from a team.players are bounced around so fast they can't settle in on a team and the fans can't see for looking.today its all about keeping the seats filled so don't hate the player just come to the game

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