Allen Iverson's home debut was Sunday night in Detroit against the Boston Celtics. The result of the game was probably not what Detroit fans wanted to see.  A 12 point loss that could have been much much worse, and in fact was much worse for most of the second and third quarters.  The Pistons were outscored in the second quarter, 30 to 10. 

It was during this game that Iverson could have really shown his worth. Rip Hamilton went 0-8 from the field, and Rasheed went 4-17. Iverson went 4-11. This would have been the perfect opportunity for Iverson to show exactly how he would help the Pistons come playoff time. Detroit needed him to shoot more than 11 shots, Detroit needed him to shoot 20+ shots and get them back in the game. 

The Pistons were a top 3 team in the East before the trade, and they will still be a top 3 seed come playoff time. The real measure of this trade can't be evaluated until after the playoffs conclude. Only then will the world see if Iverson can carry this Pistons team like he carried the 76ers to the finals in the 2000-2001 season. That 76ers team was undermanned and undertalented against the Lakers in the finals. This Pistons team is just as talented as any team in the NBA, and they have plenty of playoff experience. 

Iverson can carry a team, and just like Sunday night, there will be times when he will need to do exactly that. As of tonight, the Pistons and Allen Iverson have 76 more regular season games to figure it out...

Pistons "ANSWER" about trade comes tonight

Clever title huh? I mentioned this before but I strongly believe this trade is a win for both teams and all the players involved. 

AI will make his Detroit Piston debut tonight as the Pistons travel to New Jersey. If you get a chance, read Jemele Hill's article about the trade, I think she does a great job explaining how this COULD work for Detroit (here is the link: ESPN PAGE 2).

The Pistons will be a better team because of this trade. Maybe they won't score more points, maybe they will. Maybe they give up more points, maybe they don't. When crunch time hits in the 4th quarter of an important game, we will ALL take notice of just what Allen Iverson brings to a team. As a Pistons fan I am certain you remember many of the times in the last few years when our team went ice cold, out mid-range jumpers weren't falling, Sheed was in foul trouble or his inside turnaround was off, Rip couldn't buy a bucket, Chauncey wasn't hitting the outside shots, etc. These things don't happen to Allen Iverson. Iverson is such a unique talent, that he cannot be defended for a full game. He has CAREER averages of almost 9.5 free throws attempted per game! And in the playoffs for his career he has averaged 45 minutes per game! 

For everything Mr. Big Shot did for the Pistons, these are qualities Billups did not possess. I don't mean to sell Billups short by any means. He did great things for the Pistons, and was the backbone of our winning tradition over the last six or so years, but the time came for change. I hope the Nuggets have a great season, and I hope Billups revitalizes the local fan base (He chose #7 because the last Denver legend wore #7. Not Chucky Atkins...John Elway). 

Billups is Denver's native son, graduating from George Washington High School in Denver as a four time All-State pick, three time Colorado Mr. Basketball and a McDonald's All-American. Playing at the University of Colorado, when he could have chosen to go anywhere, he led them into the NCAA tournament. In 2004, Billups had his number retired by CU. 

This trade is a rare case in which both teams are better off because of it. I am not sure if the Win-Loss records will be drastically different, or even any of the statistical analysis, but the players on both teams will be rejuvenated and two of basketball's best will be teaching along the way. Billups can and will help Carmelo and JR Smith become better players. Iverson will mentor Stuckey and even Hamilton and Prince in ways I'm not sure Billups could. 

I am thrilled to watch Iverson in Detroit and Billups in Denver. The impressions of this trade will be felt for years to come, on many different levels.

If that's not a win/win, I don't know what is.

IVERSON TO MOTOWN

Allen Iverson is going to wear #1, because his life long number, 3, is currently being worn by Rodney Stuckey. Iverson brings his career 28 points per game (3rd best in NBA history) to Detroit. This is a great trade for both teams. The Pistons lose their leader and crunch-time leader in Chauncey B-B-Billups, but they gain a leader and fellow proven crunch-time performer in Iverson. Chauncey gets to head back to his hometown in Denver, and McDiggity used to play out there also. So it is a reunion of sorts for the both of them. Chauncey will continue to be one of my favorites players in the L, and I'm glad he is going to be in Denver, where I will have a chance to watch him on a nightly basis. He will make Melo play twice as hard as he is now. I can't wait to watch the first game of each of these teams with their new guys. 

Does this make the Nuggets more of a threat in the West? Are the Pistons now the team to beat in the East? 

Also, this trade for Detroit is about the future. Iverson comes off the books next year, and now Billups and McDiggity are gone. This opens up a ton of cap room for the summer of 2010...the summer of LeBron James, D Wade, and Chris Bosh to name a few. Joe Dumars does it again, a savvy move while considering every possible scenario, both long term and short term.