Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony: 62 ppg

Ok. It’s finally happening. Allen Iverson is going to play alongside Carmelo Anthony. The Nuggets gave up their starting point guard in the process, and I highly doubt they will have a starting backcourt of Boykins and A.I. This means Allen is the point guard, and they have two guys that need the ball in their hands to do what they do.

Iverson has a long track record of 30 ppg seasons, and Carmelo has been basically unstoppable when not suspended or ejected this season, raising his average a full 5 ppg over last year. The last time there were two 30 ppg scorers on an NBA team was when I tried to pull that off with Latrell Sprewell and Alan Houston in NBA Live ‘98.

Melo and A.I. will each have to make concessions to their game for this to work. Either that, or the Nuggets are going to start scoring more than Phoenix, while they still have a premier shot blocker in Marcus Camby. As of this moment, they rank #1 and #2 in FG attempts with roughly 24 per game each. Allen shoots more free throws, Melo shoots a better percentage from the field. They’re not exactly an inside-outside combo like Kobe-Shaq, KJ-Barkley, or any of the great ones you can think of. They’re both volume scorers, although A.I. is a great passer when he chooses. Defensively… yeah they should just run as much they can on offense.

Carmelo has never made an All-Star game. A.I. is a lock for the Hall of Fame. Is Melo cool with taking a back seat? He’s been shooting 4 or 5 more shots per game than last season. In my opinion he was having a better season than anyone from his draft class, featuring the anointed twosome of Wade and LeBron. It was Carmelo’s time to be celebrated, as per his SLAM cover. The suspension complicates things, but he’s still been an amazing player this year. Will he be able to scale back to say 18 to 20 shots per game (which is still a crazy amount)?

Allen Iverson is ready to start winning again. But don’t think that means he will automatically defer like Shaq did in Miami. A.I. is as great as he ever was, and he has still never changed himself for anyone. He is the dominant personality on the team, even moreso than the coach. What makes this whole thing really weird is that he gets 14 games of making the team HIS, while Carmelo can only practice with him. Don’t make me say practice, we’re talking about practice?!? Ahhhh…. damn you! You made me say it, and A.I. is involved. It’s kind of like having someone watch your apartment for you while you’re on vacation, and when you come home, he’s bought all new furniture and now you are roommates. We’ll see how this works out.

I’m excited for this pairing, and I hope they can co-exist. Will they battle each other for the scoring title? Who gets the ball in crunch time? Melo has been one of the top clutch players in the league the past few years, but Iverson will have the ball in his hands and he’s pretty clutch himself. Here’s one train of thought: the last time Carmelo played with a guy known for jacking up shots whenever was with Gerry McNamara. How did that work out for them? I’d say pretty effing well. Iverson has never had a teammate like this. Webber was too far past his prime and was never the scorer that Melo is and wil be.

Allen Iverson Traded to Nuggets in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two first round draft picks

The Denver Nuggets have acquired G Allen Iverson and F Ivan McFarlin from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for G Andre Miller, F Joe Smith and two first round draft picks, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.“This is an exciting day for the Denver Nuggets,” said Warkentien. “It’s not often that you have a chance to acquire a talent like Allen Iverson. No one plays with more passion, desire and a will to win than A.I. We want to thank our owner and leader, Stan Kroenke, for once again showing his commitment to bringing an NBA championship contender to Denver. We think this move takes us one step closer to that ultimate goal. We want to thank Andre and Joe for everything they’ve done for the Nuggets. Andre is playing at an All-Star level right now and Joe is the consummate professional. It’s tough to see guys like that go.”

Iverson, 6-0, 165, has averaged 31.2 ppg in 15 games this season - second in the NBA only to new teammate Carmelo Anthony (31.6). He has averaged 28.1 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.9 rpg and 2.33 spg in 697 games during his 11-year career – all with the 76ers. He has led the NBA in scoring four times (2004-05, 2001-02, 2000-01, 1998-99), joining Michael Jordan (10), Wilt Chamberlain (seven) and George Gervin (four) as the only players in NBA history to capture four or more scoring titles.

Iverson has averaged more than 30 ppg in a season four times, including a career-best 33.0 ppg in 2005-06. His career scoring average is the third-highest in NBA history and he ranks 32nd on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 19,583 points. He has appeared in 62 career playoff games, averaging 30.6 ppg, 6.1 apg, 4.2 rpg and 2.19 spg. He helped the 76ers reach the 2001 NBA Finals, where they fell to the L.A. Lakers in five games.

Iverson’s list of accolades is long and distinguished. He was named 2001 NBA MVP and has been named All-NBA seven times (three First Team: 1999, 2001, 2005; three Second Team: 2000, 2002, 2003; one Third Team: 2006). He has appeared in seven All-Star Games (starting each one) and was twice named All-Star Game MVP (2001, 2005).

In addition, he holds 19 NBA Player of the Week honors and was a co-captain for Team USA at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

McFarlin, 6-8, 240, has averaged 1.4 ppg in 11 games as a rookie with the 76ers this season.
Miller signed with the Nuggets as a free agent on Aug. 1, 2003. He averaged 13.0 ppg, 9.1 apg, 4.5 rpg and 1.61 spg in 23 games for the Nuggets this season. In three-plus seasons in Denver, Miller averaged 14.0 ppg, 7.3 apg and 4.3 rpg. He has played in all 269 possible games with the Nuggets and his consecutive games played streak of 309 ranks as the second-longest active streak in the NBA. He has averaged 14.1 ppg, 7.6 apg and 4.2 rpg in 594 career games with the Nuggets, L.A. Clippers and Cavaliers.

Smith was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee on Aug. 10, 2006. He has averaged 5.1 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 11 games with the Nuggets this season. The 12-year veteran has averaged 12.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg in 762 career games with six different teams.

Allen Iverson might stick around Philadelphia a while longer.

Philadelphia 76ers team president Billy King told The Associated Press on Sunday night he would not rush to deal Iverson, the former MVP who has drawn heavy trade interest from around the league.

``We never put a timetable on this,'' King said. ``The only timetable I'll put on this is to make the best decision for this franchise for the long haul. We've got to be very methodical as we go through this and do our due diligence. This is not something we're going to rush into.''

Iverson was sent home by the Sixers and has been inactive for six straight games after he asked to be traded nearly two weeks ago. King would not say when he expected a trade for Iverson would be completed. It's a transaction that's likely to be complicated because of the nearly $60 million left on Iverson's contract, his frosty relationship with the Sixers, and the fact he's sitting at home.

King said he's received calls from all but two other teams in the league, and they're each interested in either acquiring Iverson or acting as a facilitator for a deal. King said it could take three or four teams to make a trade for Iverson and his 31.2 points per game.

``We've had some great dialogue,'' King said. ``I think the teams out there that we're talking with know exactly what it will take to get it done. We'll keep talking. This is a process where you make a lot of conversation.''

Only Memphis has a worse record than the Sixers, who have lost 11 straight games. While the Sixers weren't going to be a playoff team this season, having Iverson around might have at least helped them win a few games during their most wretched stretch since he was a rookie.
King stuck by the Sixers' decision to send Iverson home (with pay) while they actively shopped him.

``Once it was there and out that we were going to trade him, and he had asked to be traded, I felt it was best to keep him out and let the team focus on playing,'' King said. ``It gives me the chance to evaluate our team as we're talking to people. What pieces would fit best to go with the pieces that we have.''

The Sixers not only banished Iverson from the team, they took down his nameplate, cleaned out his locker and left his pregame highlight reel on the cutting room floor. King said he would not be pressured to make a trade, even as rumors and possible destinations swirl every hour.
``I'm going to do whatever I can to help this franchise for the long haul,'' King said.
Deals, he said, ``just materialize as you talk and talk.''

The Sixers can only hope one appears soon. Playing without their leading scorer and weary of the daily Iverson questions, they've lost 18 of their last 20 games and attendance is plummeting at the Wachovia Center.

``I do believe our guys are competing and playing hard,'' King said. ``I think any time you take a major player that your offense is designed around out of the team, it takes a while for them to adjust.''

King said he has not talked to Iverson since the bitter parting, dealing only with agent Leon Rose. And if King could say something to Iverson?

``I'd tell him I'm doing what I think is best for the franchise,'' King said. ``I thank you for everything you've done for us and you'll always be a friend to me.''

10 players were rejected and got fined from brawl

Carmelo Anthony's Denver has the NBA's leading scorer. Sometime Monday, the Nuggets should learn how long they have to make do without him.

And the New York Knicks were expected to be told of their penalties as well from Saturday's brawl -- including if the league thinks coach Isiah Thomas had any role in triggering it.

The NBA's policy is to announce suspensions before a team plays its next game, and both Denver and New York are in action Monday night. The Nuggets host Washington, and the Knicks are back at Madison Square Garden to face Utah.

And with the league still working to repair its image after the brawl between Pacers players and Pistons fans two years ago, it could come down hard on many of the 10 players who were ejected after the melee at the Garden.

"I'm saddened to see it happen, but it will be dealt with and there will be some severe penalties," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "It's unfortunate when things like that happen." It could be especially tough for the Nuggets, who could be facing at least five games without

Anthony and his 31.6-point scoring average. He and J.R. Smith, who combine for 48.3 per game, joined New York's Nate Robinson in taking part in the most disturbing images of the brawl.

Anthony, who dropped Mardy Collins with a punch, said Sunday he was sorry his emotions got the best of him.

"Last night's altercation with the Knicks escalated further than it should have. I take full responsibility for my actions in the matter," Anthony said in a statement. He apologized to fans, the Nuggets, the NBA, his own family -- and to Collins and his family.

"My actions were inexcusable, and I am sorry for making this an even more embarrassing situation," Anthony said.

Thomas said he told Anthony that he and Marcus Camby shouldn't have been in the game after it was decided. A source in the league, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation into the brawl, said that Thomas also advised Anthony not to go near the basket shortly before the hard foul occurred.

It the league believes that, it sets up another embarrassment for the Knicks, who already came off looking childish by blaming the Nuggets for still having their starters in with a 19-point lead and only 1:15 to play.

What caused the meltdown? It seems to come down to this: The Knicks felt dissed.
"The score, period, and the guys that they had in," Robinson said after the game.
The Knicks (9-17) didn't practice Sunday and weren't commenting further. Another starter, Andre Miller, was also on the floor when Collins prevented Smith from an easy basket by grabbing him by the neck and taking him to the floor.

Smith rose and immediately started jawing with Collins, and Robinson jumped in to pull Smith away. Anthony shoved Robinson away, and Robinson and Smith then tumbled into the front row while fighting.

Just as things appeared to be calming down, Anthony threw a hard punch that floored Collins, and New York's Jared Jeffries sprinted from the baseline toward halfcourt in an effort to get at Anthony, but was tackled by a Denver player.

By the time security had finally contained Smith, they were nearly at the opposite end of the court from where the altercation started, making it the NBA's scariest scene since the brawl at Auburn Hills, Mich.

"Without being there, I can tell you the power of emotions can be an underrated thing in our game," Carlisle said.

Nuggets coach George Karl had just dispatched three players to the scorer's table to check in while the Knicks brought the ball up the floor. But before play stopped so they could check in, New York turned it over, starting Smith's fast break.

Three minutes earlier, Smith had thrown down a reverse dunk on the break, as both he and Anthony seemed to be trying to impress their group of fans. Smith is from New Jersey, and Anthony, who scored 23 points in the second half, is a New York native.

The Knicks weren't enjoying the show.

Robinson said the Knicks were "just trying to fight, come back from the deficit and they got their star players still in. It's a slap in the face to us as a franchise."

One of many this year.

It's been a miserable season for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where they have been routinely booed while compiling a 4-10 record. And they were in the midst of their second straight beating -- Collins, in fact, committed a flagrant foul at the tail end of a 112-96 loss at Indiana on Friday night. The final score on Saturday was 123-100, Nuggets.

But while there is no excuse for their actions Saturday, nor is there any reason why Anthony should have had such a prominent role. Before the game, Karl was talking about his maturation as a player and a person, and Anthony was one of the captains of the U.S. team in the world championships.

The NBA has taken numerous steps to clean up its image after the fiasco in Detroit, implementing a dress code and its community relations initiative NBA Cares last season, and trying to eliminate excessive complaints to officials this season.

With Anthony appearing in marketing campaigns to promote the NBA, the league can't have him participating in an incident that's sure to trigger more discussions about all that is still wrong with its players.

"I'm sure there's going to be some pretty stiff suspensions," said Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, suspended for his role in the Detroit brawl.

"That's the negative, too, because they're going to start comparing it ... to our fight, so you'll hear about our brawl a little bit more. But it's bad. I hope they suspend all the guys."

Nuggets, Knicks await penalties from brawl

The NBA could wait until Monday before ruling on penalties resulting from the brawl between the Nuggets and Knicks.

All 10 players on the court, including league scoring leader Carmelo Anthony, were ejected after the melee Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. The mayhem began when New York's

Mardy Collins flagrantly fouled the Nuggets' J.R. Smith with 1:15 left in Denver's 123-100 victory. Anthony faces an automatic suspension for throwing a punch, and Smith and New York's Nate Robinson will be penalized for their fight that spilled into the stands.
With so much footage to review and players, coaches and officials to interview, the league probably will need time to make its ruling.

"We don't have timetable for when the decision will be reached," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said Sunday.

Still, it might well come Monday since both teams play that night. The league's policy has been to rule on any suspensions before the teams involved play their next game.
The Knicks host Utah on Monday; the Nuggets are home against Washington.

Anthony could receive one of the harshest penalties. He twice escalated actions, shoving Robinson in the neck and throwing a hard punch that dropped Collins just when things seemed to be calming down.

Last season, Orlando's Keyon Dooling was suspended five games without pay and Seattle's Ray Allen three for their fight, which also spilled into the crowd. Dooling threw a punch that did not connect.

Exiling Iverson before trading him is unfathomable

In the hierarchy of professional sports franchises, perhaps the only thing more beautiful than being absolutely correct all the time is giving the impression that you are, well, correct all the time.

You can point the finger at a mercurial talent like Allen Iverson, blame his penchant for turmoil as the sole reason for the 76ers' demise, then have the team chairman, Ed Snider, hold an impromptu news conference in the hallway of a sparsely crowded arena, swearing that "we're going to trade him" and leaving us with this incredible notion:

That somehow, some way, the Sixers are showing everyone they're moving in the right direction.

Please.

Wake up, Mr. Snider. The same for you, Billy King. And while we're at it, throw coach Maurice Cheeks and the players on this roster into the equation.

There's too much intelligence in this town for anyone to get hoodwinked by this Iverson's-the-problem-and-nothing-else chorus at the Wachovia Center.

Go ahead and say Iverson's departure is a good thing. One question, though:

Will what the Sixers receive in return match up to Iverson himself?

Thank goodness history doesn't necessarily provide all the answers.

If it did, it would not be any kinder to the Sixers than they have been to Iverson thus far. Truth be told, what has transpired with Iverson has been nothing short of shameful over the last few days.

"Everybody knows Allen has had his issues, his troubles," former Sixers president Pat Croce said yesterday. "He's Allen. Certain things come with the territory. But you know what this kid is like when he's in uniform, when he's on that court, in front of that crowd, for those 48 minutes a night. For him not to be in uniform, having his locker cleaned out, exiled from the team without a trade yet, is unfathomable. It's unbelievable."

Especially considering the circumstances from Iverson's point of view.

According to those close to Iverson, most of the problems surrounding this latest fiasco involved the player approaching Cheeks and King in a quest to get the coach to change his offense. Purportedly, he did not like the offense, feeling it hindered his capabilities and those of his teammates. That's just one of the things that led to Iverson's having a falling out with his coach.

Although he wanted to be traded, he never asked for a trade - which King confirmed days ago. But Iverson did feel that he should be listened to. Once he felt that wasn't happening, he took it as the proverbial handwriting being on the wall.

Expect for Iverson to say a lot more than that once he's traded. For now, he's not saying another word.

He is leaving the Sixers alone, allowing them the luxury of resuscitating a once-respectable reputation, and we'll see how that works out.

In the past, right here, it has been said the Sixers don't need Iverson to miss the playoffs again. If you're watching the entire postseason from home for two of the last three seasons, if you're playing for a team that's struggling just to remain relevant, why bother having a franchise player making $17 million this year and more than $39 million over the next two seasons?

It makes no sense and just serves to build the level of hostility already aimed in the Sixers' direction.

So making the choice to move Iverson is not only plausible but understandable. Especially if you've determined his style of play is not conducive to uplifting a franchise rife with young talent in desperate need of development.

Still, that doesn't justify several things the Sixers have done.

It doesn't justify telling Iverson not to show up for a shoot-around. Or telling him to stay home and not show up at the arena. Or embarrassing him by telling the world he couldn't travel with the team - and certainly not by acting like he's done something lately that was so different, so much more catastrophic, than anything that has transpired with him for years.

It served no purpose.

All it did was diminish Iverson's value, provide an abundance of question marks, only serving to provoke shabby offers from opposing team executives looking to commit highway robbery.

"If Iverson is such a problem, why on earth should I give up anything significant for him?" said one Eastern Conference GM, speaking about the approach other executives undoubtedly have when they call Billy King. "Sure, trade the kid. But let him average his 30 points until you do."

Obviously, the Sixers didn't think about that. And that's the problem.

After all these seasons, all the ups and downs, they've allowed it to come down to this.

That brings up one final question: Who's more juvenile in all of this?

Nuggets trying to secure the deal of Iverson

As the front-runner to acquire Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers, the Nuggets are pushing hard to complete a trade for the 31-year-old point guard as early as today.

According to league sources, the Nuggets are leading the race for Iverson by working aggressively to meet the demands of Philadelphia, which seeks the salary-cap flexibility provided by expiring contracts of veteran players and the draft picks required to rebuild its roster.

With two first-round picks in the 2007 draft, the Nuggets have positioned themselves in "the driver's seat" and are "leading the pack" against league rivals also looking to acquire Iverson, according to a source familiar with negotiations.

It's a complicated trade, however, that would involve at least five players, three teams and two draft choices, plus the approval of Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and Sixers chairman Ed Snider.

From all indications, Philadelphia is more concerned with financial freedom than the raw ability of the players it receives in return for Iverson and his $17.1 million salary.

Key to completing the deal is Denver's ability to persuade a third team to get involved in the trade, with the Nuggets working on at least two fronts Thursday, holding discussions with Dallas and Portland.

For Philadelphia's purposes, the most desirable trade bait on Denver's roster is Joe Smith, not for his 5.6 scoring average, but because the veteran big man is earning $6.8 million in the final year of his contract.

With the exception of Smith and two draft picks, however, Denver's end of the deal remains fluid, and could include forward Eduardo Najera, according to an NBA source.

To satisfy the 76ers' desire for as many expiring contracts as possible, league sources said Denver has held trade talks with Dallas regarding forward Austin Croshere ($7.3 million salary) and Portland for Jamaal Magloire ($8.4 million), both role players in the final year of what would be considered bad contracts except in this situation.

Frustrated by earlier attempts to pry Magloire from Portland by offering Nene, the Nuggets have heard from other less-than-benevolent potential trade partners, including Chicago. The Bulls, however, had their sights set on center Marcus Camby, whom Denver has no interest in moving.

The hefty financial weight of Nene's new, long-term contract has diminished chances he will be included in the trade.

With the seventh-best record in the Western Conference this season and not so much as a single playoff series won since 1994, Denver is willing to take a chance on Iverson's history of off-court drama to obtain his 28.1 career scoring average and a fierce competitiveness that makes the skinny guard the most intimidating player on the court.

"He's unstoppable," Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said of Iverson, currently the top vote-getter among Eastern Conference guards in balloting for the NBA All-Star Game. "That pretty much explains what he can do on the court."

Although guard J.R. Smith's name has been floated in discussions, the Nuggets hope to retain him, sources indicated, because this deal will depend more on the fine print of contracts than talent.

Other reported suitors for Iverson include the Los Angeles Clippers, Minnesota, Boston and Miami. Although Philadelphia has indicated interest in getting a deal done quickly, if the Sixers decide to wait, the list of competitors against Denver could grow. That's why the Nuggets are in a hurry to end the competition.

Iverson Falling Off Celts' Radar

The Celtics appeared to be falling out of the running for Allen Iverson [stats] yesterday, but new information leaves open to question how deeply they were ever truly in it.

According to sources, the Celts and 76ers did have discussions on a potential trade, but, contrary to published reports, at no time did the Celtics make a specific offer or did the Sixers make a specific request.

Philadelphia was exploring other options yesterday, including multiple-team transactions, leading the Celtics to believe Iverson will not wind up in Green - especially when the club did not hear back from the 76ers by yesterday morning.

But even if the Celts, said to be one of five teams still in the running as of yesterday, do not land Iverson, they are willing to help facilitate his move elsewhere if they can gain an asset in return.

More than one league source confirmed that the Sixers’ wish list from the Celtics included some combination of Al Jefferson [stats], Delonte West, Ryan Gomes and Theo Ratliff [stats], with the latter being an expiring (after next season) contract to make the salary numbers work. Ratliff could be even more valuable financially if his back problems keep him from playing again and his contract insurance kicks in.

Note that Philadelphia has not sought Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair [stats], Tony Allen or Rajon Rondo [stats], names that appeared in different public speculation. Regarding Green, the 76ers would seem to be set at that position with Andre Iguodala.

Though the Celts would clearly like to keep Jefferson, they have apparently been willing to discuss him, but not in combination with Gomes.

The talks between the Celtics and Philadelphia actually were rekindled from about a month ago, meaning that the 76ers have not just been reacting to Iverson’s recent actions.

League sources say that even if the Celtics’ staff is able to reach an agreement on an Iverson deal, the team’s ownership, which has sought answers to questions about The Answer, still could choose to prevent the move.

Danny Ainge had no comment on the specifics yesterday.

“There’s nothing going on with us right now,” he said. “It’s really not any different than it’s been the last few days for us.”

If you’re looking for a trigger point on the Celtics’ just-completed 3-0 road trip, the following score will suffice: 22-2.

For many on this suddenly buoyed team, that deficit at the start of last Saturday’s win in New Jersey was akin to someone lighting a king-sized Bunsen burner under the Celtics bench.

Jefferson responded with the best game of his career. West inched a little closer to the capable, all-aspects performer people remembered from last season. Paul Pierce [stats] was no longer bearing the load alone.

Against the Nets, Pierce was able to hit the winning shot after Jefferson pulled the Celtics through all of the important junctures. Wednesday night against the 76ers, Pierce could settle back and become one of the guys, while West and Wally Szczerbiak came off the bench with big performances.

That 22-2 gap appears to have branded itself in a lot of short-term memories.

“It was great,” said Doc Rivers. “When you look on the schedule and see three games on the road, you usually don’t write in three wins.”cw0cw0

Even when those three games are limited to teams from the weak Atlantic Division.

“The Nets game was tough,” said the Celtics [team stats] coach. “But coming back from 22-2 is the reason that we got off on this trip.”

Lakers interested with the Answer

While the Philadelphia 76ers continue to look for a destination for Allen Iverson, the Los Angeles Lakers have publicly expressed interest in the former MVP. Coach Phil Jackson has been very clear that he believes the backcourt pairing of Kobe Bryant and Iverson would indeed be a successful one.

Unfortunately the Lakers seem out of the running. They don't have the right combination of 1-2 year contracts, young talent (that they are willing to part with) and seemingly no lottery pick in the 2007 draft.

For the Lakers to acquire Iverson, they'd have to be willing to part with at least one of the following players: Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar and/or Kwame Brown. Considering the team's strong start and signals from the team, the Lakers are not willing to do so.

The remaining players carry contracts too small to add up comfortably to the $13.67 million needed to acquire Iverson. The Lakers are not willing to give up their depth to acquire a player they would love to have . . . but don't necessarily need. The Sixers only have so much roster space to take in players. They are not willing to take on lengthy, expensive contracts.

In theory, the list of movable players for Iverson would include Smush Parker, Aaron McKie, Chris Mihm, Vladimir Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic, Shammond Williams, Brian Cook and Maurice Evans. That's not to suggest LA would like to part with any of the players listed, especially Evans who has been one of the team's best trade acquisitions in years.

Due to a technicality, LA cannot send Aaron McKie to the Sixers as he was Philadelphia's amnesty waiver two summers ago.

Though the Lakers technically may be able to make a package that would work under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement, there is essentially no chance of finding one that would be approved by both teams.

If the Lakers were willing to part with Brown or Bynum, perhaps a deal could be worked . . . but that's not a consideration at this time for the Lakers.

Simply put, the Lakers and Sixers aren't going to be able to do a two-team trade bringing Iverson to Los Angeles.

Charlotte Bobcats are under the salary cap, they are capable of taking on relatively significant contracts without having to send players out. The Bobcats are in fact willing to participate in a multi-team deal, but only if it serves their interest.

Currently the Cats have onlly two point guards on their roster: Brevin Knight and Raymond Felton. Charlotte recently signed Derek Anderson to fill in at both guard positions. Sadly the team has quickly learned that Anderson is not a point, averaging just one assist over his 18.3 mpg. Knight has been struggling on and off with injury and it's apparent that the team needs an additional point guard.

If the Lakers were able to acquire Iverson, they would no longer need the services of Smush Parker. Considering McKie cannot go to the Sixers, would the Bobcats be willing to take on both McKie and Parker? Perhaps the Lakers could enhance the offer with a cash payment of $3 million?

Assume for a moment they would. Unfortunately the Lakers still don't have a package that works for the Sixers.

The Lakers, Sixers and Bobcats just don't have the right combination of available players to put together a three-team swap landing Iverson in Los Angeles.

More importantly Philly sheds $7.7 million off the team's total salary, dropping the Sixers below the luxury tax limit which would save them another $4.2 million. The fiscal benefit in year two would be even more pronounced as Iverson's $19 million salary would be off the books. The tax savings could be closer to $10 million . . .

Possible Lineup when Allen Iverson in Lakers:
PG: Iverson\Farmar\Vujacic
SG: Bryant\Evans
SF: Walton
PF: Odom\Turiaf\Cook
C: Brown\Bynum

Heat shows interest on Allen Iverson Trade

The Heat is the latest team to be included in the growing list of possible Allen Iverson destinations.

And Pat Riley isn't hiding his interest in the former league MVP.

''I would be delinquent in my responsibilities if I wasn't interested in Allen Iverson,'' Riley, the Heat's coach and president, said. ``That's all I'm going to say. Just like when Shaquile [O'Neal] came out there, I was frothing at the mouth. So my level of interest can be gauged on that comment.''

The likelihood of the Heat landing a second megastar in three years remains a long shot, however.

The Heat contacted the Sixers on Tuesday, a source said, to toss its hat into the Iverson ring.

But given what the Heat has to trade, it's unlikely the Sixers will give serious thought to any offer. A trade for Iverson, who will make about $18 million this season, would most likely have to include any two of either Antoine Walker, James Posey, Jason Williams or Udonis Haslem, and then probably include a young talent such as Dorell Wright, with a future first-round draft pick thrown in.

Riley said the Sixers are listening to several potential trade partners.

''[The 76ers] are playing the field,'' Riley said. ``That's what they should do.''

Allen Iverson: What's the best deal? Nuggets are serious

It seems like the trade for Iverson until hasn't have the best deal until now?

But I think i heard a lot of rumors about the Nuggets are very much serious in dealing Allen Iverson Lottery Trade.

According to league sources, the Nuggets have quietly but steadfastly worked to close a deal for the 31-year-old star, who was put on the block last week after he demanded a trade.

With a marketable big man in Nene, a hefty expiring contract from Joe Smith that Philadelphia likes for salary-cap flexibility and the two picks Denver owns in the first round of the 2007 draft, the Nuggets have the resources to compete with Indiana, Minnesota or any other league rival to land Iverson.

"We're trying to make our roster better every day. That's our job, to find ways to make the Nuggets better," Denver vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said Wednesday. "We're sitting here today with a winning record, and I'm here to say we like our team. But here's the simple deal. You look for ways to try to get better, if you can."

Watch the TNT Insider: Aldridge on Iverson and the Nuggets Video

Denver has expressed keen interest throughout 2006 in acquiring the guard with seven appearances in the NBA All-Star Game on his résumé, only to be disappointed at the trade deadline in February and again during the summer.

The Nuggets need to get Iverson. Now. The clock is ticking.

With Iverson on paid leave from the 76ers, his locker cleaned out and his nameplate removed from the Philadelphia dressing room, the Nuggets are operating under the assumption the Sixers want to end their relationship with A.I. quickly.

Consider it a high-stakes game of poker and consider Denver ready to go all in, hoping to land the prize, according to an NBA source familiar with Sixers owner Ed Snider's desire to deal Iverson.

The price might never be lower to acquire Iverson, who has averaged 28 points per game in 11 NBA seasons. The Nuggets have no intention of including either forward Carmelo Anthony or center Marcus Camby in any trade with Philadelphia. While the names J.R. Smith and Eduardo Najera have been floated, so has a deal that would include no current member of Denver's starting five.

Why could pleasing the Sixers be so difficult? Complicating matters is the number of folks the Nuggets must deal with in Philadelphia, where Snider, franchise president Billy King and former Sixers coach Larry Brown are all involved in the decision to trade Iverson, according to a source familiar with the negotiations.

The Nuggets, directed by a management team of Warkentien, player personnel executive Rex Chapman and adviser Bret Bearup, have worked nearly nonstop to determine if a trade for Iverson would make sense, even before Philadelphia sent shockwaves through the league by announcing it would part ways with the mercurial star last week, when King was publicly given orders to do a trade ASAP.

While sipping on that first cup of morning coffee on Dec. 7, my telephone rang. Warkentien was on the line. "Sorry, wrong number," he said. "I couldn't sleep and I've been working the phones since 5 a.m."

Warkentien explained he had taken a break to call his daughter, Kreigh, and had hit the wrong speed-dial button for his listings under "K" by mistake.

Days later, Warkentien remained apologetic for the error.

"No problem. I figured you were probably trying to reach King. K-I-N-G. In Philadelphia," I told Warkentien on Wednesday.

"That's an excellent comeback," said Warkentien, laughing.

The interest in Iverson, however, is dead serious.

The Nuggets have never played in the NBA Finals.

No player for Denver has ever been named MVP of the NBA. At 6-feet, A.I. has been honored as the league's best player once, same as 7-1 Shaquille O'Neal.

Iverson packs a suitcase stuffed with risk, without a doubt.

He's not going to start loving practice anytime in this lifetime. The little man dominates the ball and would have to be sold on the idea that giving up the rock to Anthony is his best ticket back to the Finals. A Denver backcourt of Andre Miller at the point and Iverson as the hired gun would be unconventional, to say the least. If insomnia were the worst thing A.I. caused George Karl, the coach should consider himself lucky. The Answer might sell oodles and gobs of tickets to the Pepsi Center upon his arrival, but drive those same fans away from the arena before he left town.

But look at it this way.

On one hand, Denver has a chance to get Iverson for 75 cents on the dollar, maybe less.

In the other hand, the local NBA team holds the credit card of Stan Kroenke, a billionaire franchise owner who wants to win a title so badly he can taste it.

The Answer? Iverson plays every game like there's no tomorrow. He would be one of the five greatest players in Nuggets history, the first time he stepped on the court.

It's time for Denver to go all in, and take a shot at greatness.

Other teams that has the interested in joining Allen Iverson Loterry Trade are:
Nuggets
Heat
Minnesota
Boston
Sacramento
Clippers

Allen Iverson still leading in All Star 2007 Eastern Conference votes in Las Vegas

Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers lead the Eastern Conference in votes received after the first returns of 2007 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile.

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Western Conference, while LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers lead the Eastern Conference in votes received after the first returns of 2007 NBA All-Star Balloting presented by T-Mobile.

Through the 2007 NBA All-Star Balloting program, NBA fans from around the globe are responsible for voting in the starters for the 56th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played in Las Vegas on Sunday, Feb. 18. The game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Yao leads all players with 836,392 votes. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Garnett leads all Western Conference forwards with 453,536 votes, followed by San Antonio’s Tim Duncan (423,228). Bryant (720,375) and the Houston Rockets’ Tracy McGrady (668,130) lead all Western Conference guards.

James leads all Eastern Conference players with 808,570 votes, followed by Iverson (595,200). The Toronto Raptors’ Chris Bosh (304,624) is second to James among Eastern Conference forwards. Miami’s Shaquille O’Neal leads all Eastern Conference centers with 522,815 votes, followed by the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard (415,708).

Fans have the opportunity to vote at all NBA arenas, in 20 languages on NBA.com, on AOL.com/nba, at 1,250 T-Mobile-owned retail locations and at t-zones using T-Mobile service or wap.nba.com for any wireless carrier. Fans will be able to vote at several locations in Las Vegas, the host city of NBA All-Star 2007, including the Las Vegas Convention Center, Fremont Street and the Thomas & Mack Center. For the first time, 13 NBA team arenas will also carry a Spanish-language version of the ballot.

The leaders of both the Eastern and Western Conference players for the first returns of the 2007 NBA All-Star voting program are attached:

2007 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: LeBron James (Cleveland) 808,570; Chris Bosh (Toronto) 304,624; Jermaine O’Neal (Indiana) 258,139, Paul Pierce (Boston) 187,138; Grant Hill (Orlando) 168,695; Rasheed Wallace (Detroit) 144,228; Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia) 136, 785; Emeka Okafor (Charlotte) 98,502; Tayshaun Prince (Detroit) 93,514; Chris Webber (Philadelphia) 88,066.

Guards: Allen Iverson (Philadelphia) 595,200; Dwyane Wade (Miami) 586,679; Vince Carter (New Jersey) 433,363; Gilbert Arenas (Washington) 225,923; Jason Kidd (New Jersey) 190,385; Chauncey Billups (Detroit) 109,687; Stephon Marbury (New York) 107,219; Michael Redd (Milwaukee) 97,394; Joe Johnson (Atlanta) 78,680; Steve Francis (New York) 76,210.

Centers: Shaquille O'Neal (Miami) 522,815; Dwight Howard (Orlando) 415,708; Ben Wallace (Chicago) 216,443; Alonzo Mourning (Miami) 65,255; Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee) 46,178; Zaza Pachulia (Atlanta) 39,921; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Cleveland) 38,590; Nenad Krstic (New Jersey) 33,459; Samuel Dalembert (Philadelphia) 30,744; Nazr Mohammed (Detroit) 30,078.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Minnesota) 453,536; Tim Duncan (San Antonio) 423,228; Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas) 405,613; Carmelo Anthony (Denver) 364,419; Shane Battier (Houston) 265,340; Lamar Odom(L.A. Lakers) 155,289; Shawn Marion (Phoenix) 130,710; Josh Howard (Dallas) 118,399; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 113,289; Pau Gasol (Memphis) 100,192.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers) 720,375; Tracy McGrady (Houston) 668,130; Steve Nash (Phoenix) 432,083; Chris Paul (New Orleans/OKC) 156,801; Jason Terry (Dallas) 126,648; Manu Ginobili (San Antonio) 125,076; Tony Parker (San Antonio) 118,417; Ray Allen (Seattle) 111,841; Jerry Stackhouse (Dallas) 104,308; Baron Davis (Golden State) 93,777.

Centers: Yao Ming (Houston) 836,392; Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix) 281,051; Erick Dampier (Dallas) 118,557; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 102,760; Marcus Camby (Denver) 64,082; Brad Miller (Sacramento) 33,376; Francisco Elson (San Antonio) 33,161; Chris Kaman (L.A. Clippers) 32,151; Chris Mihm (L.A. Lakers) 31,883; Tyson Chandler (New Orleans/OKC) 25,504.

Sixers still struggling without Allen Iverson.

It seems like the sixers are still struggling on getting victory (5-16) getting 9 game losing streak is a disgrace to their team, not just for their team but for their fans and people in Philadelphia as well. They need to find a quick solution on how to overcome their losing streak, i think Chris Webber now steps up to be a leader on the sixers rosters and do faster transition in offense & defense and execute the plays very well. They should not also be more pressured on their situation right now with Allen Iverson and must move on. The remedy is that the sixers should develop their own team chemistry, execute transition and plays very well and no pressures.

Jordan May Have Bobcats Pursue Iverson

Well, this interesting: According to this morning's Charlotte Observer, one of the worst teams in the league, the Charlotte Bobcats, are close to deciding whether or not to enter the Allen Iverson sweepstakes.

What's funny, besides the fact that the Bobcats share an identical record with the Philadelphia 76ers (both are currently sharing the basement of the Eastern Conference at 5-14), is that Iverson averages 31 points per game - which is half of what the Bobcats scored in Friday's embarrassing 92-62 drubbing at the hands of the Houston Rockets.

Why the Bobcats? Ten million. That's why. The Bobcats are $10 million under the salary cap, more than any other team in the league. What kind of package would it take to land Iverson?

The 76ers would probably ask for Charlotte's best player, Emeka Okafor, the team's No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft, and one of the Bobcats two point guards (Raymond Felton or Brevin Knight). If Bobcats GM Bernie Bickerstaff and part-owner Michael Jordan had any clue, they'd counter with super-sub Sean May, attempt to throw in wing Gerald Wallace, and tell the 76ers they can have Brevin Knight and the team's 2008 #1 pick. (The 76ers, who are in a terrible spot with no bargaining power, would probably chuckle at May the tweener, Knight and his chronicle injuries, and Wallace's poor start to the season.)

Memo to the Bobcats: Under no circumstances should you part with the 2007 #1 pick. Not even Iverson's worth missing out on Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. But coughing up the 2008 #1 pick would be fine. Heck, by that time, the Bobcats could be a force in the East, what with a potential lineup of Iverson, Morrison, Okafor, and Oden.

The Observer is running an online poll about the Bobcats going over AI - and so far, it was 58-42 in favor of attaining the difficult but outstanding player.

Trade talks heat up as Iverson sits two games

Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers appear headed toward a bitter parting.

Iverson is talking about bolting Philly -- and the Sixers might finally be ready to show their franchise player the door.

"We're going to trade him," Sixers chairman Ed Snider said Friday night.

"At a certain point, you have to come to grips with the fact that it's not working. He wants out and we're ready to accommodate him."

Iverson's 11-year career in Philadelphia took another tumultuous turn Friday when the former NBA MVP hinted that a trade might be best after the Sixers sent him home and ruled him out of their next two games.

"As hard as it is to admit, a change may be the best thing for everyone," Iverson said. "I hate admitting that because I love the guys on the team and the city of Philadelphia. I truly wanted to retire a 76er."

Snider said Iverson has "probably" played his last game with the Sixers, ending a career that placed him with Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Wilt Chamberlain among the team's greats.

"I think it's time for him to move on, for us to move on and find out where everything stands," Snider said. "I really didn't see it coming because Allen says all the right things."

The possibility of Iverson being traded to Minnesota boosted Kevin Garnett's spirits just minutes after a big win over Utah.

"Bring it on, I love 'The Answer," Garnett said. "We welcome A.I. with open arms. Where's Kevin McHale?"

McHale, vice president of basketball operations, would not comment on rumors that Iverson would end up in Minnesota. But his star player went so far as to look into a local television camera and make a plea to Iverson.

"Come on, boy," Garnett said. "I can't think of anyone who wouldn't want to play with him."

In a pregame interview, coach Dwane Casey deflected questions about Iverson.

In a surprising turn of events, Iverson was banished by the Sixers and didn't play in Philadelphia's 113-98 loss to Washington on Friday night. Team president Billy King said the move was not a suspension and Iverson's future would be re-evaluated after Saturday night's game at Orlando.

King and coach Maurice Cheeks said Iverson was sent home because he did not practice on Thursday and left Wednesday's blowout loss at Chicago with back spasms. However, the move to bench their captain comes with Iverson's name swirling in heavy trade rumors.

King would not say before the Sixers' game against the Wizards if Iverson had asked for a trade or if he was actively trying to trade the four-time NBA scoring champion. Snider confirmed that Iverson did ask this week to be dealt.

"Allen was not able to practice yesterday because of the back and today Mo made a decision not to play him tonight or tomorrow," King said. "We told him to just take the night off and tomorrow."

However, Iverson told a different story. Iverson, whose off-court behavior and coaching clashes often overshadowed his gritty, highlight-reel play, released a statement through agent Leon Rose stating that he told the Sixers he was healthy enough to play.

Iverson said he was told not to participate in shootaround and instead watched from the sideline. He joined the Sixers in the huddle, then was told by Cheeks not to come to the Wachovia Center.

"In my entire career, even the doctors haven't been able to tell me not to play," Iverson said. "I've played through injury and illness. I think everyone knows how much I love being out on the court, competing and winning. That's why it was so disheartening to be told that I couldn't play, knowing that I was ready. It hurt even more to be told not to come at all."

Iverson, second in the league with 31.2 points per game, left Wednesday night's 121-94 loss at Chicago in the second half, complaining of the spasms, and did not practice Thursday. The Sixers are 5-13 and have lost six straight and 13 of 15 overall.

"This season has been very frustrating for everyone," Iverson said. "We've lost 12 of 14 games and nothing seems to be working. I have expressed my frustration to my teammates, however, I have continued to give 100 percent night in and night out. Apparently, it hasn't been enough to help our team win."

Even with the Sixers sinking toward another lottery-bound season, Snider said Cheeks and King's jobs were safe.

The losses and Iverson's petulance also have led to a splintered relationship with Cheeks. Iverson left a practice last week reportedly after a disagreement with Cheeks and skipped a team bowling function for season-ticket holders later that night. He apologized and was fined by the organization.

"It happens," Cheeks said. "Sometimes coaches and players disagree."

Cheeks said he expected Iverson to finish the season in Philadelphia.

The floundering Sixers missed the playoffs last season for the second time in three seasons, leaving King to proclaim at the NBA draft lottery it was time to "change the culture." It has changed, but arguably for the worse.

Iverson reportedly was nearly dealt last offseason to Boston, and complained the trade talk took a toll on him and his family. A late July visit from King finally assured Iverson he wasn't going anywhere, and Iverson repeated a familiar pledge in training camp that he wanted to end his career with the Sixers.

"I always wanted to stay here because of the loyalty, but it's all I know," he said then.

Iverson, the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft and a seven-time All-Star, has won four scoring titles, two All-Star game MVPs and the MVP award in 2001 after taking the Sixers to the NBA finals.

"He's one of the greatest basketball players of all time, he has incredible talent, he's done a lot of great things for this organization and we wish him well," Snider said.

With his rants about practice, his run-ins with the law and former coach Larry Brown, and a failed rap career, Iverson was often a magnet for trouble off the court.

Iverson and Brown formed a turbulent combination during the six seasons they spent together in Philly. Brown criticized Iverson for taking too many shots and accused him of being selfish at times.

Iverson often arrived late for practice or missed them entirely for various reasons. In one infamous blowup at the end of the 2002 season, he repeated "talking about practice" nearly 20 times during a rambling monologue. He now pokes fun at the memorable meltdown.

Brown and Iverson eventually reconciled and Brown selected his former guard co-captain of the 2004 United States Olympic men's basketball team.

"I appreciate that in my 11 years in Philadelphia, the fans have always stood by me, supported me, and gone to bat for me," Iverson said.