Plonowski: Nuggets get better of Iverson deal
By: Tom Plonowski, Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Sports
On November 3rd, the Pistons acquired shooting guard Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets for point guard Chauncey Billups, power forward/center Antonio McDyess, and center Cheikh Samb.
Billups, a NBA Champion and NBA FInals MVP, fills the hole of a desparately needed point guard. Anthony Carter is better suited for the backup one-guard position, as he has been a very savvy career back-up. More importantly, the Nuggets now are able to spread their offense with Billups running a set offense, rather than relying on the Melo-AI pair to jack up half of the team's shots.
The Nuggets now have a strong defensive backcourt with defensive specialist Dahntay Jones alongside Billups. Jones is not known for his offensive contributions and has put up eleven field-goal attempts in the last three games.
The team was second-to-last in the NBA during the 2007/2008 regular season in points allowed per game. The backcourt along with a healthy front court in Kenyon Martin and Nene will provide a long-needed improvement on the defensive side while allowing Carmelo Anthony to be the clear-cut number one option on the team with regards to the offense.
This also allows J.R. Smith to continue to come off the bench along with Linas Kleiza, and provide an immediate offensive punch. The two are averaging 11.6 and 8.0 points per game, respectively.
Smith, Kleiza, Carter, and high-enery power forward Ronaldo Blackman create a much more effective bench for the Nuggets. The diverse bench is excluding Antonio McDyess, who did not want to come back to Denver for his third stint with the organization, and was bought out to become a free agent. Samb, also acquired in the deal, is a project and will see limited minutes.
Statistically, the deal has already improved the Nuggets as they have gone 4-1 since the trade. The Pistons have gone .500 with a 3-3 record since acquiring Allen Iverson.
Billups, a NBA Champion and NBA FInals MVP, fills the hole of a desparately needed point guard. Anthony Carter is better suited for the backup one-guard position, as he has been a very savvy career back-up. More importantly, the Nuggets now are able to spread their offense with Billups running a set offense, rather than relying on the Melo-AI pair to jack up half of the team's shots.
The Nuggets now have a strong defensive backcourt with defensive specialist Dahntay Jones alongside Billups. Jones is not known for his offensive contributions and has put up eleven field-goal attempts in the last three games.
The team was second-to-last in the NBA during the 2007/2008 regular season in points allowed per game. The backcourt along with a healthy front court in Kenyon Martin and Nene will provide a long-needed improvement on the defensive side while allowing Carmelo Anthony to be the clear-cut number one option on the team with regards to the offense.
This also allows J.R. Smith to continue to come off the bench along with Linas Kleiza, and provide an immediate offensive punch. The two are averaging 11.6 and 8.0 points per game, respectively.
Smith, Kleiza, Carter, and high-enery power forward Ronaldo Blackman create a much more effective bench for the Nuggets. The diverse bench is excluding Antonio McDyess, who did not want to come back to Denver for his third stint with the organization, and was bought out to become a free agent. Samb, also acquired in the deal, is a project and will see limited minutes.
Statistically, the deal has already improved the Nuggets as they have gone 4-1 since the trade. The Pistons have gone .500 with a 3-3 record since acquiring Allen Iverson.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Jay
posted 11/21/08 @ 1:16 PM CST
I think its too early to say who got the best of deal. Ive been watching both teams and while Denver is more balanced now, the only team they have played with a winning record was Boston. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 11/21/08 @ 10:41 PM CST
nice article..denver now 7-1 after the deal. Detroit dont have a point guard now thats why they wont go anywhere.
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