Chris McCosky
The Detroit News
Category: Pistons
Posted by Chris McCosky (The Detroit News) on Wed, Dec 10, 2008 at 5:16 PMNo surrender, just yet
It's tempting to write this whole Allen Iverson project off as a failure and start finding ways to spend the $21 million or so the Pistons will have next summer to rebuild the product. Believe me, a lot of people across the country are. But that would be way too reactionary and not very smart. And frankly, I still believe this is going to get a lot better.
Now, do I think they are ever going to get good enough to beat Boston? That is hard to see right now. But I don't think the Celtics can maintain this high level all season and through the playoffs, either. I keep harkening back to Flip Saunders' first season here, the 64-win season. Didn't see anybody beating the Pistons either when they were 38-5, or whatever it was, but somebody did.
It's a long season. There are a lot of twists and turns still to come.
That said, though, here is the biggest X-factor facing the Pistons. What if Iverson's tank is empty? What if at age 33 he just can't take over and dominate games anymore? What if Rasheed Wallace's legs are gone? He's 34 and has a lot of basketball miles on him. People talk about his inconsistency and if you ask me, that is a function of his age not his temperament. His body just doesn't have the resiliency it used to have.
If those two guys can't be the players they've always been, then the Pistons will have no shot at getting back to the conference finals, let alone the NBA Finals. That's an obvious truth, right?
I talked to Michael Curry a bit about that this afternoon. Neither he nor anybody else in the organization feels Iverson and Wallace have slipped that much. Their struggles are part of the growing pains, Curry believes. Both will be a lot more productive and efficient once everything starts to come together. Once the Pistons figure out their defense, they will get more opportunities in transition and that's when Iverson will come alive. As long as the Pistons keep getting bogged down in the half-court, Iverson will remain semi-quiet. Sheed's minutes will go down now that Antonio McDyess is back, thus his efficiency should soon start going up. That's the theory.
I don't know if I buy it, entirely. I see Iverson playing 40 minutes. I see him getting a ton of open looks, both in transition and in halfcourt, and I see him being unable to finish. I don't see the same burst or the same lift at the basket I am used to seeing from him.
It's the same with Wallace. When he's been great, the Pistons have been great. But his spurts of greatness have been fewer and fewer. How much can you rejuvenate 34-year-old legs? It's like a battery that's been re-charged too often. Sooner or later, it just doesn't re-charge.
Here's something else I keep thinking about. Team USA, 12 uniquely talented, ego-maniacal all-stars, came together in about three weeks and won a gold medal. Should it really be taking this long for the Pistons to find a rhythm with Iverson?
The only way for these fears to be allayed is for the Pistons to put together a string of well-played games. I want to say the schedule is favorable, but after losses to Minnesota, New York and Washington, what does that even mean anymore?
Comments
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A I
EVERYONE in denver knew that AI has serious leg problems.
go back and read the archives of articles in the denver post and rocky mountain news over the last 7 months or so.
there are numerous mentions of the fact that he's been injured and that his legs are not healthy.
frankly, i've been surprised that this basic fact has received almost no mention in detroit media.
he drags one of his legs around on the court. he cannot push off on it. people who imagine that he is still capable of 40 point nights on a regular basis are delusional.
they have not been watching AI play.
now, as someone else noted, against another team's bench, he'd probably still break a few ankles. which is another reason to make him a 6th man.
A I
Thanks for reminding me of AI knee problems. When they stated the Doc's were draining his knees not because of an inury The only thing that could mean is arthritic conditions have set in and that means loss of strength and flexibility.
No wonder he has trouble beating folks and breaking the rim.
How much is a point guard worth that can apply for a handicap sticker?
A I
papaman...good point. It is clear that Iverson has lost much of his explosiveness...probably because of his knees. He can no longer get to the rim like he once could, and his defense is subpar, which means that even guys like Chris Duhan are having career games against the Pistons.
However, I still think Iverson is quick enough to excel coming off the bench, against the opposing teams 2nd string PG. AI needs to come off the bench for improved offense and defense.
A I
This article is right on, Iverson can no longer get by his man anymore so he dribbles, jukes and then has to shoot a jumper, which he is not very good at, also he has lost some spring in his legs which is why he has trouble finishing at the rim, if you noticed, Bynum was making it all the way to the rim against Washington like AI used to do; Bynum on the 2nd umit with Dice will be a deadly pick and roll combonation, his minutes should go up and Iverson's down; also no way Max nor Amir should both be getting DNPs no matter what the matchup, one of them should be getting at least 12 min per game
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