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Pistons get Iverson for Billups, McDyess
Associated Press
Then, they watched Iverson lead the 76ers to the NBA finals and become the league MVP.
Eight years later, Detroit is hoping The Answer was worth the wait.
Iverson does, too.
"I want to be the piece that gets us over the hump," he said Tuesday at a packed news conference, where the Pistons unveiled Iverson's name on a No. 1 red-white-and-blue jersey that he may or may not wear. "I've done so many things in this league, being an All-Star and scoring champion and things like that, but I haven't accomplished my No. 1 goal and that is to win a championship."
The Pistons acquired Iverson on Monday in a blockbuster trade for All-Star point guard and former finals MVP Chauncey Billups, top reserve Antonio McDyess and project Cheikh Samb.
Detroit is desperate for another shot at an NBA title after winning its third in 2004, falling just short of repeating and getting eliminated in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals the past three years.
"We think he is going to fit with exactly what we stand for here," Pistons executive Joe Dumars said. "It's all about winning and being in the big dance at the end of the year. Those are his goals along with ours.
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Worth a thousand words:
"I don't think we're going to sit here today and make any grand promises, but everybody knows our goals."
If Billups completes a physical and paperwork in time, Iverson will play Wednesday night in Toronto. McDyess and Samb have not been required to report to Denver. Barring injury, the 33-year-old Iverson will make his home debut Sunday night against the Boston Celtics in a game as intriguing as one could be in early November.
If McDyess ends up playing for the Nuggets, he will land the Nuggets' roster for the third time.
The Pistons kept McDyess off the free-agent market last summer by giving him a $13.5 million, two-year extension. Detroit would love to have him back if the cost-cutting Nuggets buy out his contract.
"I'll be talking with Antonio and his representative directly," Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien said. "But we think he's a heck of a player and know he's a quality guy. One step at a time."
The 34-year-old McDyess revived his career with the Pistons, playing 321 games over four seasons after serious knee operations pushed him toward possibly retiring. The former Olympian and All-Star has averaged 13.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for his career.
The Pistons have reached six straight Eastern Conference finals — the longest such streak since the Los Angeles Lakers' dominant run in the 1980s — and won the 2004 title without a player expected to be in the Hall of Fame.
Their lack of a superstar seemed to hurt them the past three seasons, exiting the playoffs against Boston's Kevin Garnett, Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade.
Iverson brings plenty of star power to Detroit.
The deal also clears a lot of salary-cap space for the Pistons because Iverson is making $20.8 million in the final year of his contract while Billups is in the second season of a four-year contract worth a guaranteed $46 million with a $14 million team option for a fifth year.
Iverson said during training camp he wanted to finish his career in Denver and was disappointed he wasn't offered a contract extension. But, he acknowledged being excited about being a first-time free agent next summer.
Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, said he is not negotiating a contract extension with the Pistons for his client and they are not pushing to get a deal done to keep him around beyond this season.
"We'll see how it goes and how it unfolds," Dumars said.
The addition of Billups might placate Nuggets fans who have watched the once free-spending franchise trade defensive standout Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason and recently decline to extend Linas Kleiza's contract.
Billups is a Denver native, former Colorado star, former Nugget and one of the most popular players among his peers because of his likable personality.
"We fortunately fall into a guy that's an All-Star caliber point guard," Denver coach George Karl said, after saying he was sad to see Iverson go. "The connection with Denver and Colorado is fun to be a part of and enthusiastic to our owners."
Member Comments
I hope and pray my boy AI get's a ring this year. he is the most deserving player in the history of the game. the only player to single handedly take a team to the finals.
MontoyaJ11/7/2008 16:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Billups is a top 5 point guard im super happy to have him here in denver. We need some team players.
bfunk341511/7/2008 1:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
i really think that this will turn out to be a good move if there isnt any team chemistry issues. i loved billups, but hasnt shown up in the playoffs for the last couple of years...and you couldnt count on him for points. hopefully the addition of iverson will lead to less of those dreadful pistons scoring droughts.
wingnut8011/6/2008 11:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I LOVE IVERSON.... I have been a fan for along time.... I'm just mad that his number had to be changed.. But hey that #1 does fit him.. Cause he is #1.. Now go out there and DO THE DAMN THING!
Sunshine90511/6/2008 6:46:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm so excited for Iverson, for one if Detroit play like we know they can it will be very possible for them to win the championship, secondly I think he deserves to be on a winning team and I think Denver not offering him a contract was a blessing, because lets face it they suck, I love Melo but he plays when he feels like it and sometimes I can see the unhappiness in Iverson's face when they keep loosing. Third I'm a BIG< HUGE
Sunshine90511/6/2008 6:22:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
iverson is OUTSTANDING on the inside. he is small and nimble. this dude can cut in the inside and make heads turn without them knowing what just happened. i previously said "what is joe dumars doing?" but i re-thought my decision after the initial shock!
HOPEforDETROIT11/5/2008 7:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Detroit is rebuilding. This is a move for cap space.
Bernhe11/5/2008 4:12:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
DETROIT is now in a rebuilding mode. They took a huge step backwards with this trade. Detroit could'nt beat Boston last year, forget about this year.
soxpatscelts0711/4/2008 23:43:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Go Obama! Go Detriot! Hello AI wecome home! We will have a parade AI I think you will like it! Oh yeah They will give you a big fat ring too!
dball200811/4/2008 15:08:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Nuggests made the smart deal. Mr. IIIIIIverson was becoming a coaching challenge (again). Chauncey is a TEAM player and level headed. Now the Pistons will have the Sheed and the I on the same floor to fight for the spotlight. Should be an interesting side show.
King_Phillip11/4/2008 14:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
espn.com has just reported that starbury will not be traded, released,or bought out.<br />he will not see no playing time unless the three starters in front of him are injured.<br />this coach d a m well better win a ship.<br />if he dosent i can see a lot of fans being turned off by this cat.<br />coach italy, this is now and will forever be a PLAYERS league. you will forever be remembered for this PERSONAL attack on this player.
Bballfangoheat11/4/2008 12:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think pistons got the better end of trade. Iverson is an all out type of player and he leavesit all on the floor. Billups is no slouch but I think overall Iverson will be a grat fit in detroit and they get the edge in the deal.
redskins448111/4/2008 12:50:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think the Eastern Conference team that would have improved their playoff scenario the most with getting Iverson would have been Cleveland Cavs. <br /><br />If Cleveland had Iverson last year I think the team would have had a chance at being the Eastern Conference champions. Lebron is already the playmaker and scoring machine; Cleveland needs another scoring machine to take the load of Lebron. <br /><br />Mo Williams is a step in that direction. I am not a Cleveland fan but if Lebron ever gets a legitimate scorer then watch out.
lakertickets11/4/2008 12:21:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
lovecandle... A punk HIM isn't! A classy guy is more of his style.
brownsuga0811/4/2008 12:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Do you think half of you idiots could comment about the subject at hand !!! The rest of you should go on porn sites or anger mangement !!! HELLO it's Basketball, if you don't have anything to say about Basketball..............DON"T !!!!! So........I think the trade should be interesting, Dumars knows what he is doing......AI helps get a title this year and/or has a hugh salary cap to work with next year. I also think the Nuggets are very lucky to have Billips !!!
cabod5311/4/2008 11:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
That Him8 is a slow whit so take it easy on him Lovestick
yougottit11/4/2008 11:26:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
A trade should only be deemed "Blockbuster" when it involves stars currently in their prime. These players are no longer in their prime and neither team has jumped up into championship contention becuase of the aquisitions. <br /><br />This trade is insignificant.
zz08911/4/2008 11:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Do understand the trade, and agree with it, with the exception of buying out McDyess...hello, Chris Anderson's your backup post man currently, Chris Anderson aka the Bird Man - uh, he'd be great on my all city league team, never have figured out how this guy get's an NBA paycheck - so you dump McDyess to keep Bird Man as your backup post player - yep, that's why the Nuggets are the Nuggets, or as we affectionatly refer to them, the No Guts!!!
matrixnov11/4/2008 10:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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