Fact or fiction of players missing in action
Some teams really are better off without their star player; others are not
Duane Burleson / APAllen Iverson, who has traded to the Pistons earlier this season, is now out with an injury, and it may be best for both he and the team that he doesn't return writes NBCSports.com contributor Ira Winderman.
Q: If Allen Iverson doesn't stay with the Detroit Pistons past this season, which team do you think is most likely to pick him up? And if it's a championship contender, like the Cleveland Cavaliers, do you think he’ll be willing to come off the bench?
— Ralynda House, Philadelphia
A: First of all, it is difficult to envision anything close to a championship contender making a move for Allen in free agency.
Foremost, if a team is a title threat, it already has its designated off-the-dribble perimeter scorer, be it Cleveland (LeBron James), Boston (Paul Pierce), San Antonio (Tony Parker), New Orleans (Chris Paul), the Lakers (Kobe Bryant) or the Nuggets (been there, didn't do that).
There are some exceptions to that list. One has to wonder if the Rockets don't re-sign Ron Artest and unload Tracy McGrady, whether the need for scoring might make Allen tempting. Heck, after Artest, it might prove to be a relief.
Then there is the Magic, which could lose Hedo Turkoglu to free agency and already lacks a true off-the-dribble scorer. But coach Stan Van Gundy and A.I. together? Uh, perhaps not.
The more likely scenario would be a move to a franchise with few playoff hopes but plenty of tickets still to sell. And while common sense would say not to allow Iverson to get in the way of the continued emergence of Eric Gordon, the Clippers every summer seemingly find a way to gum up the works.
But in no circumstance should a team add Iverson and not expect him to expect to start.
We've already seen what such thinking has done to the Pistons and it would be a mistake for any team with a quality backcourt to think three can go into two.
Q: The Chicago Bulls have a pretty good guard in Derrick Rose. Who do you think is the quickest player, offensively and defensively, in the league right now?
— James Wood, Urbana, Ill.
A: Offensively, I certainly would put Rose in the discussion. Opponents marvel at his explosion to the paint.
The quickest player, who only recently has been unleashed with the trade of Rafer Alston to the Magic, just might be the Rockets' Aaron Brooks.
Among more-established players, Devin Harris would have to be at the top of any list, with the Nets completely making over their offense this season in the mode of John Calipari's Memphis Tigers, in order to accentuate Harris' dribble-drive abilities.
When healthy, Monta Ellis offers that same uniqueness.
Others who make significant use of their quickness on offense are Rajon Rondo, D.J. Augustin, J.J. Barea, Mike Conley, Nate Robinson and Jameer Nelson.
Defensively, based on his ability to get steals and quickly turn the ball the other way, Chris Paul would have to be at the top of any list, with Leandro Barbosa right there, too.
Q: With the NCAA tournament starting this week, is there any college player you can’t wait to see in the NBA?
— Anonymous
A: There are two prospects who stand among the most intriguing when it comes to this year's draft, but neither will be playing in the tournament, by their choice: Brandon Jennings and Ricky Rubio.
| NBA mock draftOpinion: Too many lottery teams need a pure point guard. Sporting News |
|
Unlike anyone you will see in the NCAAs, the two will arrive via Europe.
Jennings is the prep-school guard who bypassed college to spend the season in Italy.
While Jennings hasn't overwhelmed in his overseas adventure, the approach could be one that changes the entire draft dynamic, especially if the NBA, as anticipated, raises the draft age requirement even further in the next collective-bargaining agreement.
Then there is Rubio, the Maravich-like stylist who spent last summer with Spain's Olympic team and now has a huge buyout to get out of his European contract.
As for the tournament itself, there honestly aren't that many unknowns. Based on the competition in the Big 12, we certainly know all there is to know about Oklahoma's Blake Griffin. Ditto for the Big East exposure of Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet.
The unexpected bid gained by Arizona well could help the quick rise of power forward Jordan Hill. That Arizona bid also should bring Chase Budinger back into the conversation, after we last saw him getting his face stepped on.
Also, keep an eye on Arizona State guard James Harden, who is moving to the top of the lottery, as the draft best domestic perimeter prospect.
Then there's Tyler Hansbrough, who is all over the place on NBA draft boards. Middle first round? Late first round? Second round? Big performances in truly big games could yet sway opinion.
Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
![]()
advertisement
More newsIssac Baldizon / Getty Images Contributor Wade also stars as Miami rolls in Game 5, moves within one game of Eastern Conference finals.
Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Check out some of the best images from the 2012 NBA playoffs.
