Manifest Destiny
Jorge Cosgayon July 11th, 2006 (Visited 6577 times)
The Truth. The Answer. The Celtics.
Paul Pierce, who made Boston fans start to dream again. Allen Iverson, who almost made you forget about Charles Barkley and Dr. J. Playing together outside of the All-Star game.
Both are incredibly talented. Both have big egos. Both can dominate a game at any given time. Both need the ball to be effective. Both have phenomenal court vision. One takes shortcuts on defense, the other takes too many chances.
And for these two players, it might be the last chance for them to make their dreams of an NBA championship come true.
On the face of it, trading for Iverson seems an iffy proposition: while being an excellent ball player, it's the other things that he brings to the table that just drives you nuts. While not on the same level as say a Ron Artest, Iverson is, to say the least, disruptive. With the exception of Chris Webber, Iverson has never worked well with a second option in the team - see Keith Van Horn, Toni Kukoc, Larry Hughes, Glenn Robinson, Derrick Coleman, and Jerry Stackhouse. He doesn't believe in practice and comes to games late. Despite playing his heart out while on the floor, he inspires none of his teammates with his leadership.
So why would Boston's Danny Ainge risk his core group of youngsters by putting in a decidedly high-risk, high-reward factor? Simple. Because, the times, they are a-changin'. And what was once old is now new again.
Welcome to the Wade-LeBron era. An age when teams like the Boston Celtics need to win now or wait for Miami's Dwayne Wade and Cleveland's LeBron James to go past their prime for a shot at making the NBA Finals. In two or three years, tops, it'll be like the 90's again, when Jordan's Bulls dominated the Eastern Conference (and the entire league).
I mentioned this in my other blog, The Armchair Jock: sooner or later, the Cavs are going to realize that their pieces don't fit and they'll make a move to surround LeBron with players and a coach who can play off his talents. When that time comes, Cleveland will be on top of the East. It is not only obvious (manifest), but inevitable (destiny).
In a few years, with Shaq's contract off the books and a team truly built around him, Wade's Heat will give the Cavs all they can handle. And no one, and I mean no one, can stand in their way. It is not only obvious (manifest), but inevitable (destiny).
With Iverson in the fold, Pierce may be convinced to stay a Celtic. With Pierce, Iverson may loosen up and trust in The Truth. Two veterans hungry for the gold. Playing together they open up so many possibilities offensively it'd be ridiculous. And it just might work. Where New Jersey failed with a soft Vince Carter, Boston may succeed with a tough-as-nails Iverson.
And that's why it's so important for the other teams who don't have those two to win now, and win big. You have to realize that while trading for Iverson may not be the right move, it's the best move they can make. It's the only move they can make, the one move they should make if they're at all committed to their fans because it's their best shot at bringing the Larry O'Brien trophy back to Boston.
July 11th, 2006 02:31
great article, jorge. an AI-pierce tandem would be awesome, provided it works out perfectly. but the trade isn't final, is it? i've heard talks of AI going to the warriors or the hawks, too.
btw, did you make that image? looks great!
July 11th, 2006 07:28
I hope that pans out. I am a great believer in The Truth. I think he matured this last season into a true leader and has learned his place.
I've not so much for respect for AI though, although I once did especially when he hoisted his MVP trophy up. I thought that was one of the best scenes in the NBA ever, a small man becoming the NBA's best player.
But when he and CWebb didn't play their remaining games in Philly because they were eliminated anyway, that just turned me off. Boo to AI.
July 11th, 2006 07:45
..and bro, welcome to Ballex!!
and finally one more thing: did you draw that? Cause I've a favor to ask if you did :)
July 11th, 2006 09:00
[...] Read my full article at The Basketball Exchange. Allen Iverson, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, Paul Pierce [...]
July 11th, 2006 10:54
@Corsarius: no the trade isn't final - it's not even the most likely, I think. It's just the scenario I like best, I suppose. I'm keeping tabs on this one on my blog at http://www.armchairjock.cosgayon.net/category/the-iverson-sweepstakes/
@Gary: I'm a huge AI fan, I'm a huge Pierce fan, I was a Celtics fan when Bird was still around. This trade just makes me feel giddy. But I'd still pick the Nets over them ;)
July 11th, 2006 10:55
sorry double post.. yup I sketched that, but with photo references
July 12th, 2006 23:44
Welcome to Ballex, Jorge! Nice article, great flow. With regard to the Pierce-Iverson tandem, it looks good on paper, but how will they be able to click? Will AI slide down to the sidekick spot?
I've been hearing about this rumor for the past two weeks, a possible half of the Celtics' roster for AI. That's whack because AI needs a fresh start.
July 12th, 2006 23:44
Btw, AI looks like Usher in the painting. Hehehe
July 13th, 2006 19:05
haha, now that you mention it.. he kinda does ;)
August 17th, 2007 21:54
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