A long shot

[Hemingway]

Here is an idea I'm just gonna through out there and expect to get flamed for: Lets offer AI the vet min for a year.

We could give him at least 20 minutes a game on the bench where he could be the first option when the starters are out. For the last 2 years our bench has been most consistent in giving up leads. We could tell Iverson that if he can keep or expand the lead he can stay in. Imagine a typical game against a .400 team: The starters play the first 9-10 minutes and build up a 10 point lead. AI comes in with Sheed and the bench rotates in over the next 5 minutes. Instead of the lead going back down 0, it stays at 10 or say goes up to 10. Now AI can stay in and some of the starters can come back. We could end up playing AI 30+ minutes in these games and giving Ray and Paul a break.

I know this is a long shot but it might be worth the effort. If Danny Doc and the big 3 came to him and said, "look how the league is treating you, this is your chance to prove you are still a top player and win a ring with us" he just might go for it. Long term, giving Ray and Paul and extra 10 minutes of rest for half of the regular season would help us both now in the playoffs and for the next few seasons as they would get less mileage.

flame away. Some suggestions: "AI would never do that", "He would destroy the chemistry", "He will not come off the bench", "he will not play for the Min"

[SonicYouth34]

AI won't be happy with that role and a unhappy AI=bad chemistry.

[threrf23]

AI won't be happy with that role and a unhappy AI=bad chemistry.

If unhappy AI=bad chemistry on a team which would be really good without him, then your coaching staff sucks or your players are all mentally weak.

[Hemingway]

We could also tell AI that we would be open to trading him mid season to a team where he wants to go. This could be a good option if a good teams starting guard goes down for the season. A package of AI, Tony and Scal might fetch us something.

AI off the bench would be great for the first half of the season because of the rest he would give Ray and if Ray, PP or Rondo got hurt he could start. The problems could arise as the playoffs approach and we tighten up the rotation.

[hairybyrd]

Hemingway, I would be interested to know if you could name a few examples of this working in the past...leading me to my next question: Why would it work for Boston? Don't get me wrong, it would be great, but stuff like this doesn't happen in reality. Iverson could care less about helping Boston win more games. He's thinking about 2 things in no particular order - shots and money.

[EJay33]

I'd say this is about your 15th different Iverson thread of the offseason to go along with the approximate 35 unique Marbury threads that you've made. Why do you keep doing this? Can you just keep them all in one place?

We get it, you think Marbury is a great backup PG and you think it'd be cool if Iverson accepted the vet min. I agree about Iverson, but how much can we possibly discuss this? Either he'd come here for the min or he wouldn't, it doesn't require numerous unique threads to discuss this.

[Hemingway]

Hmmm, maybe we are in a very slow time and only have 1 roster spot open, most likely for a guard. I guess I'm wrong but I thought this was a site and message board for among other things, playing GM. The great what would you do if you ran the team. I mean the site is called real gm.

You know what Godmoney, I guess I am just bored during the offseason. I guess you are too if you have nothing better to do than to reply to threads you feel are unnecessary and attack me.

[bc legends]

Hemingway, I would be interested to know if you could name a few examples of this working in the past...leading me to my next question: Why would it work for Boston?

look at marbury for an example

[joneb]

There's a capital I in Iverson, and there's no 'I' in team.

If he were able to accept a lesser role on the team, I'd be fine with it. I just don't see AI accepting that role. The ego thinks that the ability is better than it is at this point. For a precedent of such a situation see Walker, Antoine.

[BIRDMAN BIRDMAN]

A.I fan here.

I wanna see him in Boston badly, but unfortunately, his attitude is what it's preventing from happening, he wants a role, a starting role, HECK, MEMPHIS CAN'T EVEN GIVE HIM A STARTING JOB.

So I don't know what the heck is wrong with him..he said it aint bout money, so if that's the case, why didn't he sign with MIA, CHA or some contender by now?

[chas0x01]

I will be surprised if AI signs with Memphis. Coming off the bench on a lottery team, c'mon, now. AI acted like a dick and now no one wants him. But just think, we *could* have both AI and Jax coming off the bench if we pushed.

Rondo, AI, House
RA, Daniels, Walker
PP, Jax, Walker
KG, Baby, Williams
Perks, Sheed, ?Mihm

That would be a ridiculous 14 man roster. But of course you would have 4 pissed off players in AI, Daniels, House, and Jax who would all want more PT.

[Jammer]

Iverson will sign with Memphis for $3.5 million guaranteed plus incentives.

Memphis will discover that the 34 year old Iverson is a remnant of the player he was 2 seasons ago.

Iverson will eventually be third in rotation minutes behind OJ Mayo and Mike Conley, Jr.;
at which point A.I. will fake an injury and say either buy me out or I'll sit out the rest of
the season.

If bought out, Iverson signs with the Celtics or Lakers, he has his pick.

The Celtics need to clear a roster spot if they end up adding Lester Hudson, which I think they will do.

So, look for maybe BIlly Walker to get moved to a team with an injury before the trade deadline for a 2nd round pick. The Celtics can't do that now because barring injury to a major rotation player, I doubt that there is a team that would give up a 2nd round pick for Walker right now. But in two months, when some ACL's and meniscuses and hamstrings start blowing out, opportunity may come knocking.

[Jammer]

Hemingway,

it's been said on this board numerous times that the Celtics are probably one of 20+ teams to have offered Iverson a vet minimum contract. A.I. is looking for minutes, SHOTS, and self effacing glory thru personal statistics. He won't get that backing up Rondo, and A.I. is too immature and too insecure to accept a diminished role. Unfortunately, I see Memphis as bursting the A.I. bubble, as defenses will be able to focus on the runt since he'll have less support than he had in Detroit. Oh well, Memphis and A.I. is a disaster for both parties. Too bad Heisley thinks he's gonna sell a lot of A.I. Jersey's in Memphis. He will actually, until they see what's left of Iverson on a BB court.