Yesterday, I was listening to a local sports radio show here in Los Angeles and I tuned in in the middle of the topic. Now I don't know if the 76ers actually proposed a trade or if they were doing a scenerio where they did.
The trade consisted of: AI for Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston.
Now....most people around the NBA Nation would say why would the Clippers even think about it...it's a 100% yes. And it would def sell more tickets for the Clippers and bring more excitement....
Me on the other hand, being a loyal Clippers fan the last 9 years, would hate this move. Bringing AI is the exact opposite of what the Clippers represent. Mike Dunleavy wants 100% committment to the team, such as practice, AI does not do that...plus he would take looks away from Sam Cassell, Cutino Mobely, and their all star Elton Brand, not to mention new addition Tim Thomas....now, with Maggette, he knows his role on the team (take it to the hole and get fouled) and Shaun Livingston is an amazing passer who will be an all star in the near future.
I like Livingston and all, but Shaun is more of a threat to be injured than Maggette... I don't think Livingston can be an all-star in the next 3 years, he will need lots of time to develop his shot... to be honest, I think Livingston has the potential but will only make the all-star team maybe a couple of years in his career...
yeah i like shaun as a player, all he has to devolop is a jumpshot, but has been bitten by the injury bug, hopefully dont have a problem with this in his future
The AI and the practice thing is overblown, he's the type of guy who will it all when on the court. I personally think Livingston is overated, he won't even surpass the current Chris Paul..
Livingston can't even shoot. If I spent all my time passing,would I be considered good? AI and Cassell? Who's gonna guard the Kobe's,the carter's in the league?
As a long time Clipper fan as well, I kinda have mixed feelings about bringing Iverson to Los Angeles. This is the biggest topic on all of the sports stations here in L.A., and most of the hosts I've heard are on the fence about this too. Half of them want the trade, the other half just don't see it happening.
Me personally, if you talking a younger Iverson for Maggette-Livingston, then I would do it in a heartbeat. Of course, they couldn't realistically couldn't do the trade, unless the Clips throw in another player and/or future draft picks. This coming season, Iverson is making $18 million, while Maggette and Livingston combined will make about $11 million, so the Clips would have to throw at least another $7 million to make the salaries match. The Clips only have one other player who makes $7 million (not counting Elton Brand's max salary), and that's Philly's own Cuttino Mobley, and I don't see the Clippers trading Mobley unless it's for the right price.
And defensively, with Iverson's wear and tear (as well as his injury history, even though he was relatively healthy the last two years) and Sam Cassell being a defensively liability, they're gonna give up almost twice as much they score and will probably get the frontcourt players in foul trouble. However, if the Clips want go the route of the Miami Heat, where they collect a bunch of good veteran players and try to win now, I say go for it...make the trade.
I'm not the biggest Corey Maggette fan, so I could care less if he's traded or not. He's no more dependable than what he's always been, he's been known to make dumb plays in crucial situations. I'm not jumping on the Shaun Livingston bandwagon yet either, he still needs to develop his shot and decision-making skills.
AI would make the Clippers NBA title contenders. Sixers would get back potential in a PG who could pan out. Shaun would be in a situation where he is surrounded by pure athletes that love to get out and run. This also puts Carney in position to be a backup and gradually work his way into the lineup instead of being thrown in the fire. I dont think this deal works out financially though. But I like the major pieces involved for both teams. I like to hear Shaun/Maggette better then other deals like Dre Miller plus a big (Kmart, Nene or Camby). Boston fell thru when they screwed up and got Telefair by trading that 7th pick.
One issue people are overlookin is Webber. He has publicly stated the only reason he ok'ed a deal to Phlly was to play with AI. No other factor besides AI and he says loyalty is big with him. He understands this is a business but also made it implied if AI is gone they should move me as well. That he wasnt ok with rebuilding and how he was at an age in his career where playoffs should be a given so to rebuild when he has only 4yrs left in the league aint happenin. Trading AI would be what Webber doesnt want. How that plays out if AI were to be dealt is very very interesting to say the least.
As a long time Clipper fan as well, I kinda have mixed feelings about bringing Iverson to Los Angeles. This is the biggest topic on all of the sports stations here in L.A., and most of the hosts I've heard are on the fence about this too. Half of them want the trade, the other half just don't see it happening.
Me personally, if you talking a younger Iverson for Maggette-Livingston, then I would do it in a heartbeat. Of course, they couldn't realistically couldn't do the trade, unless the Clips throw in another player and/or future draft picks. This coming season, Iverson is making $18 million, while Maggette and Livingston combined will make about $11 million, so the Clips would have to throw at least another $7 million to make the salaries match. The Clips only have one other player who makes $7 million (not counting Elton Brand's max salary), and that's Philly's own Cuttino Mobley, and I don't see the Clippers trading Mobley unless it's for the right price.
And defensively, with Iverson's wear and tear (as well as his injury history, even though he was relatively healthy the last two years) and Sam Cassell being a defensively liability, they're gonna give up almost twice as much they score and will probably get the frontcourt players in foul trouble. However, if the Clips want go the route of the Miami Heat, where they collect a bunch of good veteran players and try to win now, I say go for it...make the trade.
I'm not the biggest Corey Maggette fan, so I could care less if he's traded or not. He's no more dependable than what he's always been, he's been known to make dumb plays in crucial situations. I'm not jumping on the Shaun Livingston bandwagon yet either, he still needs to develop his shot and decision-making skills.
As dumb as Maggette gets in crucial situations....he is still one of the bestplayers getting to the free throw line and he avgs an EASY 17-20 pts a game. And Livingston.....although everyone likes to make fun of his shot, everyone seems to forget how many of those mid-range jump shots he made towards the end of the regular season and in the playoffs....I've seen him in training camp once in Santa Barbara, he's an amazing passer....and don't forget what kind of defender he has become...him and Quinton Ross are huge defensive threats...
I say the trade shouldn't go through. Personally I love the Clippers' Roster and would love to have the Starting Five as:
PG Sam Cassell
SG Cutino Mobley
SF Quinton Ross
PF Elton Brand
C Chris Kaman
6th Man - Corey Maggette
Then you have Shaun Livingston and Tim Thomas
Now...if you have followed the Clippers, then you know how great James Singleton was in his limited playing time this year...plus when Rebraca is healthy he is unstoppable in the paint...Daniel Ewing isn't so bad either, he is just young and is looked down upon for Dunleavy's mistake in Game 5 of the 2nd Round....N'Dong and Koralev have a lot to work on
This is a solid team. I think they can get to the Western Conference Finals...they have a great frontline between Kaman and Brand, they get point, rebounds, and blocks....they are amazing together...they have offense, they have defense, they can rebound, and they will excite you....
76ers Offered AI to Clippers
