Iverson trade a real possibility?

Though Allen Iverson's a perennial league leader in scoring, and always near the top in steals, some people feel that the 76ers should rid themselves of their superstar while his trade value is high. The Denver Nuggets seem to be making the first serious run for AI.

Other fans, however, feel a little like myself. There's a real honor in a player staying with one team for their entire career. Not only does it make the player more identifiable, it also links him to the city for life.

Michael Jordan was a Bull, and it was painful to watch him in a Wizards jersey. Karl Malone was Utah, not L.A. Patrick Ewing should've just marked the end of his career by retiring as a Knick, not kidding himself in Seattle and Orlando.

Not to mention, Iverson is the Sixers. Currently, he is the only superstar player, and the main attraction at the box office. Ten years ago, the new building was enough to make fans come watch a bad team. Then AI arrived and the promise of a bright future came with him.

A championship is a different story. A former Sixer and current player in the Western Conference once told me flat out that Philadelphia will never win a championship with Iverson. Three summers ago, he suggested that the Sixers needed to make a trade.

Trading AI would be tough in many respects. He's one of the few superstars in professional sports that has embraced Philadelphia. Even when fans and media were getting on him, he stuck it out because he likes the city. To trade a player who wants to be here for one that would likely be disgruntled would be a shame. Besides, it's not the same situation as Sir Charles Barkley who wanted out of town in the worst way.

Unless an offer comes along that's too good to refuse, the Sixers should hang on to Iverson. He brings in the fans, sells merchandise, and gives an exemplary game-time effort. Team President Billy King just needs to complement Iverson with a team like the 2000 squad. Gutsy, conditioned, hungry role players who know defense. Add a couple of guys who can score 15 points a game. Keep three-point specialist Kyle Korver for crucial situations, a la Steve Kerr. And, for the love of god, finally get a big man in the middle who can play. It's obvious that no one is afraid of Samuel Dalembert and Steve Hunter.

If anyone should leave town this season, it should be Chris Webber. He can score at times, but his decision making skills in pressure situations are questionable at best (and always have been - see Michigan 1993). But he still might have enough trade value so that the Sixers can shed salary and pick up a draft pick or two (and maybe go after some European player for once).

Technorati Tags:76ers,Allen Iverson,NBA

Winter work for the "Boys of Summer"

As we fans work and play in the freezing cold, our heroes (fingers crossed) are busy preparing themselves for the grueling MLB season -- in warm, sunny Florida. The Grapefruit League kicks off in just over eight days, and the Philadelphia Phillies need to prove their noisy yet shaky offseason is behind them.

Noisy in the sense that Bobby Abreu was rumored to be headed out of town about 20 times, which he says he's shrugged off. Shaky in the fact that the only real improvements are in centerfield (Aaron Rowand) and setup (Arthur Rhodes). No other pickups look poised to be improvements over the 2005 Phillies, unless Abraham Nunez beats out David Bell at third base. Bell hit only .199 against righties in 2005, .248 overall. That average would be justifiable if complemented by some power, but this guy would need to bat from second base to be a real threat. Nunez batted .285 overall, .277 against righties.

Charlie Manuel (pictured) has his work cut out for him, especially with the core of starters in the fold. In 2005, projected starters Jon Lieber, Brett Myers, Cory Lidle, Ryan Franklin and Ryan Madson were a combined 57-52 with an ERA of 4.34. With a new closer whose best days are long since gone, the starting rotation must display some improvement if the Phils are to sniff the postseason.

My prediction: I think the Phillies will finish with an above .500 record, but fall short of the playoffs. Expect a third place finish in the division, second if the Mets implode again.

Technorati Tags:Phillies,Spring Training,MLB

Wildcats claw past Huskies

In what could very well be a preview of the Big East Championship Game on March 11, the Villanova Wildcats proved (again) they belong among basketball's elite by taking down the top-ranked UCONN Huskies. 'Nova now leads the Big East with a 10-1 conference record (20-2 overall).

The fourth-ranked Wildcats have been on fire all season, with their only losses coming to #9 Texas (58-55) and #11 West Virginia (91-87). With the pro team spinning its wheels, the 'Cats have given Philadelphia a real winner to stand behind.

Now I know that the NCAA Tournament is still a month away, but I can't help but make my first prediction. I see the Wildcats going on a tear and ending up at the Final Four. Somewhere, Rollie Massamino and the Class of '85 are smiling.

Interesting fact about tonight's game: It was played in front of the largest crowd ever assembled in Pennsylvania for a college basketball game. (Source: NBC 10)

Technorati Tags:Villanova,NCAA,UCONN

Reid's still the best bet

Around the area, I hear rumblings from people about their discontent with the season of losing that Head Coach Andy Reid and his Philadelphia Eagles orchestrated in 2005. Everyone's happy that Reid slimmed down his waistline, but that's the only losing that some people will accept.

I'm not making an excuse for the team, however the injuries they faced were crippling. Somehow people like to place the hones for this at Reid's feet. Some of the discontent should go to him due to his far from balanced play calling. Also, he had a part in the Eagles losing Corey Simon and Derrick Burgess. But when you have an offense loaded with second string players it's really tough to stay competitive - something the Eagles were able to do in many of their late season games.

The calls in the area to relieve Reid from his post are asinine. Who are the Eagles going to go after to coach this team? If there was a coach out there that was better, then start to speak up. Until then, Reid is still the best bet. This is a coach who has been to four NFC title games and a Super Bowl in seven seasons with the club.

Also, good luck today to Pro Bowlers Mike Bartrum, Brian Dawkins and Jeremiah Trotter, the only Eagles who will see postseason action this year.

Sixers need a stroke of luck

The Philadelphia 76ers face their toughest challenge on Friday night, hosting a 38-6 Detroit Pistons squad that's chasing history. Even tougher, they will be doing it without leading scorer Allen Iverson.

With the Answer sidelined the Sixers will be easily overmatched, and will require major contributions from their role players like Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert.

Speaking of Sammy, expect his minutes to increase now that the 76ers have traded away Steven Hunter. Two get two draft choices for Hunter (as well as escaping his undeserved contract) was a great refund for Sixers President Billy King, who deactivated his other main offseason acquisition, Lee Nailon, last week. (Hey Billy, 0-2 is hardly the kind of offseason that you build your career on.)

So to the Sixers, sans the true A.I., I say good luck.