Bulls Looking For Answers....Bring In "THE ANSWER"
I know the following blog could be compared to the craziness that is a
Sam Smith column, but I want
Allen Iverson on the Bulls.
Call me crazy, call me insane, but I believe if you bring in
AI, he will be "The Answer" to whom teaches
Derrick Rose how to play the game of basketball.
The Bulls kept
Lindsey "Old Man Buckets" Hunter on the roster to work with Rose this season and mold him into the player everyone expects him to be. What knowledge can a 39 year old
Lindsey Hunter (2-time NBA champion) pass on to a young budding star like
Derrick Rose that
Allen Iverson cannot.
My overall view of
Derrick Rose resembles a lot of what
Allen Iverson represented in his career. Hardworking, nose to the grindstone, high minutes, lots of scoring and a leader of the team. Not all the attributes I have seen from the 34 year old Iverson over his career is what I would like to see preached to Rose. Iverson's ego, premier ball hogging ability, and numerous "practice" issues are something I think do not belong in the schooling of D-Rose. However if the Bulls bring in "The Answer", it not only pits Rose with a possible
NBA Hall Of Famer as a personal coach but it also solves the
go-to scorer issue since the departure of
Ben Gordon to Detroit.
I understand that NO team (besides Memphis) this past off season made offers to
Allen Iverson because they thought Iverson's career was nearing a close after his offensive numbers have dipped the last couple of seasons. Some have said the former #1 overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft has lost a step or two and injuries have kept him off the floor so much it's affected his style of play greatly.
I've always been a
AI fan because the one thing that has never left him is his desire to win. The man has a lot of heart on the court and wants to start, score and win....that's what the Bulls are missing right now. If you want to say the recent rise of
Joakim Noah is the sign of a true leader on this team, then that is a
poor man's excuse for a leader. The Bulls need someone who's been through the wars, who can score when they need a bucket, and someone with the knowledge of the good and bad of playing in the "Association" to mold the Bulls next superstar.
Allen Iverson is that guy and the Bulls should really consider bringing in the 2000-2001 NBA MVP and 1996-97 Rookie Of The Year to lead this team.
Now some may say that the off the court distractions are too much for the Bulls to take the risk on a guy like Iverson. For all the tattoos, braids, and ego that goes with Iverson, it's unfair to look over what he can bring you on the court as opposed to the off the court matters. Bulls fans will latch on to Iverson the same way they latched onto another head case by the name of
Dennis Rodman when the Bulls took a chance on him in the mid-1990's. Of course with Iverson you will not get the piercings, random hair colors, and cross dressing....but you will get the same intense play from
AI that Rodman brought to those championship teams.
So here's my plea to
Jerry Reinsdorf,
John Paxson and the Bulls hierarchy....bring in "The Answer." Not only can he help your team win, but think of it from a marketing perspective as well. You know Bulls fans will eat up the #3 jerseys and the AI headbands. Plus in a market like Chicago with a fan base who loves fire and passionate players on their teams, Iverson's a perfect fit and is indeed "The Answer."
-RoCK
Rock Mamola is the Associate Producer of The Mully And Hanley Morning Show and co-host of The Joe O And Rock Show on WSCR 670AM The Score
You can follow The Joe O And Rock Show at twitter.com/joeoandrockshow
17 Comments
tom said:
I remember when it was a good idea to bring in Ben Wallace and we all now how that turned out .That was the beginning of the downfall of Paxsons beloved core group.Ben Wallace taught the younger players that you do not have to follow team rules or respect the coach.I think bringing Iverson would be the same problems all over again
Rock Mamola said:
Tom,
Thanks for checking out the blog.
I think the whole Ben Wallace Scott Skiles relationship never got off to a good start, and when you pay that kind of money to a guy, the ego sets in.
With Iverson, you won't have to pay him long term and big money. He's a perfect tutor for Rose because he emboddies the player I think we'd all like to see Rose turn into.
I disagree, I think Iverson would be a perfect fit here in Chicago.
Thanks again and don't be a stranger
-RoCk
Doug Thonus said:
How can you possibly describe Iverson as a perfect tutor for anyone? He doesn't show up to practice. The guy was a warrior, but he's never adapted to the fact that his skills have declined considerably.
This team has been built on team work, team play, defense, and hustle. It's offense is on pace to be historically bad while it's defense is on pace to be historically good.
Throw Iverson into the mix and all the togetherness is likely to come crashing down killing your defense while his individual offense is unlikely to make any significant difference at all.
I understand the idea of hoping you can sign the guy for the minimum and get the Iverson of 5 years ago, but it's completely ignoring a realistic view of what would happen if he integrated himself into the team.
Rock Mamola said:
Doug,
You say the team is built on team work, team play, defense and hustle. However they don't have a true scoring threat. So, how can you get anywhere with a team like that?
Plus on top of that, he can mentor Rose. What's to say he can't?
I'm just saying the guy fixes a couple of issues for you if you bring him in. You'll pay him nothing and knowing the competitve nature of AI, he'll take this year as a statement year.
It probably won't happen, but if he's successful in NY, it wouldn't surprise me.
-RoCk
Geckzilla said:
If the question is, "How can the Bulls possibly acquire more ping-pong balls in the 2010 Draft Lottery?", then yes, Iverson is the Answer.
Rock Mamola said:
LOL....
PJ Brown said:
It's as if you're completely oblivious to the last three years of his NBA career aside from him maybe losing "a step or two." He's been locker room poison. You don't get waived after three games simply because you might have slowed down. Rodman was in his prime when he came here and a guy whose job was to rebound. He didn't need the ball. Hunter is seen as a future NBA coach and someone who knows his role, not an aging mega-star suffering an identity crisis.
Rock Mamola said:
PJ Brown,
Thanks for checking out the blog.
Rodman was seen as a compliment to Jordan and Pippen, but I think Iverson can compliment Rose better than a Lindsey Hunter can. Hunter can be seen as a future coach, but did Hunter's level of play ever match Iverson's?
I say go get Iverson. If you played for a depleated Detroit team and a young no-name team in Memphis, wouldn't you be a little upset too?
I would
-RoCk
NadaSurf2009 said:
Ya' know...
I never could stand Iverson, but I think this year's Bulls might be one team that he could actually fit with.
Neither Rose nor Salmons has done anything to deserve a starting spot this season.
Put either on the bench and give Iverson a shot.
Rock Mamola said:
Nada,
Thanks for checking out the blog.
I agree with ya. Take a chance and see what happens. Don't be so judgemental on Iverson, because he just may be the leader/go-to guy/teacher for Rose the Bulls are looking for.
-RoCk
rangerjae said:
Rock...you might be on to something here.
However, how would a rookie coach like VDN be able to deal with the drama known as AI.
Rock Mamola said:
RangerJae,
Thanks for checking out the blog.
It would be interesting to see Vinny manage Iverson, but I believe the fact that both played the same position and both have a strong desire to win....I'm sure it'll work ok.
Again, probably won't happen but I like the idea of AI in a Bulls uni.
-RoCk
Dmband said:
ROCK!!!
We finally agree on something...LOL. I have brought this idea up a few times on the Bulls blog, but have gotten shot down. It actually makes a lot of sense...I know Doug doesnt agree with me on that, and I can easily see why, but Im on board with this...
The only real question is, can AI still score in bunches...
Rock Mamola said:
DMBand,
Thanks for checking out the blog.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and we should respect that. Can he score in bunches??
He averaged 20 points off the bench in 3 games at Memphis.
I think if you get him his minutes, he'll be just fine.
-RoCk
Dmband said:
"This team has been built on team work, team play, defense, and hustle. It's offense is on pace to be historically bad while it's defense is on pace to be historically good"
I think the comment here is correct, but also is a great reason why he MAY be able to help..
Our team defense can make up for AI's bad D, while his production on offense would offset some of the team's deficiancies on that side of the ball..
On the other hand, if you said we were terrible at D, but played good offense, THEN it would make no sense to bring him here.
shadow8 said:
Hardworking? Is this a joke? This is the man who tried to rationalize the fact that he didn't think practice was important. What this team needs is someone who knows how to win, not just a selfish scorer.
The answer is nothing. The question is what has Allen Iverson ever won? He didn't win a championship in college, in the pros, or internationally.
Are you really comparing Rodman to Iverson? Rodman may have been "weird," but he knew his role and had previously played on championship teams with players who were leaders and with strong coaches. Rodman was kept in check because of MJ and Phil Jackson. Anyone on this team resemble either one of those two?
The fact that this was even brought up as an idea is ridiculous. The fact that it was written and posted online should be considered embarrassing.
Rock Mamola said:
Shadow8
Thanks for checking out the blog. Even if you believe the post is ridiculous, you still read it.
The guy can ball. He's got an edge to him I've always respected and that's what he can teach to Rose. Plus on top of that you have a guy that can score and doesn't fear taking that last shot. The Bulls need both of those traits on this team.
AI knows how to win, he's been to the playofss 8 times in his career and the NBA finals once. A former NBA MVP and 10 time all star. His resume speaks for itself.
The reason I bring up Rodman is because some people would be hesitant because of AI's off the court issues. That's the only reason I brought up Rodman.
Embarrassing? OK, but thanks for reading.
-RoCK
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