A.I. Watch Is Over
Pending league approval, A.I. has been traded to the Denver Nuggets for guard Andre Miller, former #1 pick Joe Smith and two draft picks. With the draft this June expected to be very deep, three draft picks, including a lottery pick, is huge. The Nuggets had to push all in on the deal once it was announced that Carmelo Anthony has been suspended for 15 games after the Knicks-Denver brawl at the Garden. Thank you Isiah for being pissed that George Karl kept his starters on the floor with a minute to play and the Nuggets holding a 19-point lead.
Andre Miller is an excellent point guard who made those white boys Keith Van Horn and Michael Doleac look better than they were when the trio played for Rick Majerus at Utah a decade ago.
For the rest of this season, we can look forward to the two Andres – Miller and Iguodala – hooking up for some pretty plays. Maybe even C-Webb will perk up with a guard who knows exactly when to feed the rock to the right people. If we get anything from Joe Smith, who played briefly for the Sixers a few years back, it will be a bonus.
Of course the meat of the deal is the change to replenish the lineup with draft picks who will be able to contribute immediately in the 2007-08 season.
As for Denver, they will get the offensive burst they need while Melo is suspended. It will be interesting to see how well they jell when Melo returns to the line-up in January. Gee, I wonder if Iverson will be willing to practice with a new team? The Nuggets will be trying to outscore their opponents since both Anthony and Iverson are defensive liabilities.
The Allen Iverson era is over and his brilliance will be missed. However, in the long history of bad deals the Sixers have made ridding themselves of pendulant superstars, this could be the best ever. At least that will be true if the Sixers brain trust makes the right picks on draft night.
Let me know what you think about the trade.