Iverson on suicide watch

December 12, 2005 | By Dennis Bakay | Discuss

After the Sixers’ latest 4th quarter collapse on Wednesday Allen Iverson stated, “If we have another game like this, this might be my last game. I might just commit suicide.” The Sixers fans would probably join in and make this the Heavan’s Gate’s Cult of the sports world. Iverson didn’t follow through obviously, but probably came very close following Friday night’s nail-biter against the Charlotte Bobcats, which saw the Sixers blow a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter.

So, what gives? Why are the Sixers lacking any kind of defense whatsoever? Don’t blame it on Mo Cheeks. A coach is only as good as his players. The defensive-minded Cheeks simply doesn’t have the type of players conducive to playing defensive basketball. Kyle Korver, Lee Nailon, John Salmons, Chris Webber, and Allen Iverson never were defensive forces. Steven Hunter is obviously not cutting it, and Dalembert is still working his way into game-shape. With all due respect to Iverson, he is a steals-grabber, but steals do not necessarily translate to defensive stoppage. Larry Brown put together perfect complements to Iverson, despite the yearning for a “second scorer.” Iverson now has second and third scoring complements in Webber and Korver. It’s obviously not a formula for winning basketball.

What the Sixers need to do immediately is bring Korver off the bench. As Glenn Macnow stated on his nightly show on WIP the other night, they need Korver to provide a burst off the bench, much like Vinnie “Mircowave” Johnson did for the Detroit Pistons’ championship teams of 88-90. Added to that, they will need to bring in 2-3 defensive-minded guards and/or forwards.

Just who is available you might ask? Look no further than the Indiana Pacers, who are now actively moving Ron Artest. What pray tell could the Sixers offer Indiana? Since Artest only makes $6 million per season his salary doesn’t match up with his talent level in a trade. Indiana won’t get equal value back as they just deactivated him for 3 games and have 10 days to move him. The Sixers could offer Samuel Dalembert and a first round pick for Artest and Danny Granger. The salaries would match up and both teams would get good value. Or, the Sixers could offer Andre Iguodala and Stephen Hunter for him.

Another possible move for the Sixers would be to go after the Toronto Raptors’ power forward Chris Bosh, who rumor has it will bolt for free agency following this season. They could offer Chris Webber, a first round pick, and take back a bad contract in Jalen Rose in order to get the Raptors to pull the trigger. Added to that, the Sixers have also inquired about the Raptors’ Eric Williams, who would be a very good perimeter defender.

It’s doubtful the Artest trade could happen though. The Pacers are more likely to go after a “max-level” player and will likely throw in a high salary player such as Austin Croshere so they can get a top-notch player in exchange. Dalembert has much upside, but the Pacers need to get all they can get now as they make a run at a title. The Bosh trade would seem more likely as the Sixers would be taking back a bad contract, giving up a player who has value in Webber, while giving up a first round pick. The Eric Williams move has the best chance of being realized. It wouldn’t be a complicated trade, since Williams only makes $4 million this year and next year. A combination of Kevin Ollie and Steven Hunter could do it. Both would give the Raptors good options off the bench while matching Williams’ salary. It’s a long season, but the Sixers will need to pull the trigger as soon as possible. This team clearly lacks an identity on both ends of the floor and their defense is hemorrhaging on a nightly basis. If for any other reason they need to keep their franchise player, and the fans for that matter, off suicide watch.