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August 19, 2009
Brown: 2 obstacles to signing Iverson
Larry Brown says he'd favor coaching Allen Iverson again, but says the Bobcats' current salary-cap and roster issues would make it difficult to sign Iverson right now.
"We've got a couple of issues -- major issues. One is the money; we wouldn't want to make him an offer that would insult him. And with three small guards (Raymond Felton, Raja Bell and D.J. Augustin) already on the roster, he wouldn't get to play the minutes he deserves. Until one or both of those things changes, I don't see it'' happening.
Iverson, an unrestricted free agent, has sent out several Twitter messsages of late, suggesting the Bobcats are on his short list of teams and that he anticipates signing with some team soon.
Brown, who coached Iverson in Philadelphia, said he'd be all for coaching him again.
"He's done a lot for me, and if we could work it out -- the money, the opportunity to play -- I'd be all for it,'' Brown said. "He's always been good, always been there.''
Posted by Observer Sports on August 19, 2009 at 04:20 PM | Permalink
Comments
Still amazes me that this non-playoff, non-star team has salary cap issues. When will NBA players, agents and execs realize that individual salaries have vastly outpaced the salary cap.
Posted by: TP | Aug 19, 2009 4:34:59 PM
They are close to the salary cap but my ubderstanding is that they could sitll sign a big $ player bc the luxury tax level is much higher than the salary cap. Maybe I am wrong, I dont know!
Posted by: leonard | Aug 19, 2009 5:01:31 PM
They need to make it happen, Iverson gives this team a thing they lack, scoring. His desire to play seems to be big right now and it sounds like he doesn't care about how much money he is making. I hope both sides can reach a deal.
Posted by: ND | Aug 19, 2009 5:06:52 PM
TP, it's not about players and agents. It was about the Bobcats making the idiotic decision to trade away financial flexibility for mediocre players with anchor contracts (Mohammed, Diop, Radmanovic, and even Diaw, who's overpaid.)
leonard, they can't sign a player to anything more than the MLE, and why would you want to do that for a guy who you've admitted won't play much?
ND, any player who takes 20 shots a game can "give scoring."
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 19, 2009 5:24:51 PM
With LB's comments, it sounds like Iverson signing is more realistic than I thought. I hope it happens. You'd have to juggle minutes, but AI could spell any scoring guard having a rough night, logging enough minutes to be happy in my opinion. Bobcats sound the best fit of the teams mentioned. It would be great news.
Posted by: Ari | Aug 19, 2009 5:56:20 PM
Seriously...this needs to happen. The thing this team needs more than scoring is national attention. I dont care if signing Iverson only wins us 1 more game...even if signing him makes us lose more games...as long as we get some MUCH needed exposure.
Not to mention a potential starting lineup of Iverson, Felton, Wallace, Diaw, and Chandler...with Augustine, Bell, Henderson, Radmanovic (although his roster spot would probably be on the line), Diop...I think that is definitely at least the 8th seed of the playoffs.
This just makes too much sense not to do
Posted by: SIGN HIM | Aug 19, 2009 6:07:34 PM
leonard - since the Bobcats are obligated to Raymond Felton for $5.5mm, there is only $4.1mm left to spend before hitting the luxury tax limit; the Bobcats are already over the salary cap limit.
Posted by: bobfan1 | Aug 19, 2009 6:26:52 PM
leonard - since the Bobcats are obligated to Raymond Felton for $5.5mm, there is only $4.1mm left to spend before hitting the luxury tax limit; the Bobcats are already over the salary cap limit.
Posted by: bobfan1 | Aug 19, 2009 6:26:53 PM
Can we say last place bobcats
Posted by: walt | Aug 19, 2009 7:56:34 PM
A.I is a Acting Idiot, He's all talk
Posted by: williwonka | Aug 19, 2009 8:28:45 PM
agreed...how do we have salary cap issues with a non-playoff team!?! Meanwhile back at the ranch, Boston, LA, Miami, Phoenix, etc....continue to stay over the cap and thrive as successful franchises. We'll never be taken seriously until we put up the big money needed to be a contender. Winning isnt' cheap.....just our owner! Sign Iverson!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Dion | Aug 19, 2009 9:46:32 PM
Iverson is a name and identity that this team lacks. Who in the world gives a fuck about Chandler, Felton, Augustine, Wallace, Diaw and Bell? I think all of these guys are good players, but they get ZERO attention nationally. Iverson would do that! Sign Iverson!
Posted by: Dion | Aug 19, 2009 9:49:35 PM
We're talking about PRACTICE!
Posted by: WolfCop | Aug 19, 2009 9:56:16 PM
Dion, how many "national attention" did Iverson get last year about anything other than destroying the Nuggets (until he got traded and they became the second-best team in the West) or whining about his fake back injury because he wanted to start?
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 19, 2009 10:36:55 PM
They need to find Felton a new home and get Iverson. Bottom line is that this team is horrible on offense and they need a bulk scorer. He's the best available... so I don't see why not. Chemistry isn't an issue, as the team has already had a nearly complete turnover from 1-2 season(s) ago.
Posted by: Nick | Aug 19, 2009 11:08:08 PM
I think this is as much about LB politicing for more from whomever the new owner ends up being. If he's already on record with wanting an Iverson type contract, he can compromise with the new owner for something less in the PF position. LB is a smart negotiator with his bosses. A year ago at this point, he hadn't cut anyone from the roster, he hadn't traded anyone away. Now we've got Nazr, Felton and Wallace as the only 3 people that wer on the roster when LB was hired.
Posted by: BlockParty | Aug 20, 2009 5:49:51 AM
Procton...what took you so long to get negative?? LOL...
AI was not the SOLE reason Denver got better, there are plenty, it was just sexy with the media to bash him since he was never a favorite of theirs anyway..
Since you're a hoops guy look it at objectively..
-that trade happened very early in the season so we dont know what Denver may have turned out to be with AI that season
-they let Camby walk which moved Nene to starting C and they signed Birdman who was invaluable during their playoff run
-JR Smith actually found a jump shot last season and was big in stretching the floor and playing modest defense
-Linas Kleiza stepped up big time, a vast improvement over his previous season
-Melo was just a monster and seemed to have his act together, probably a direct result of the olympic experience in beijing
-Dahntay Jones moved into the starting lineup and guarded the best offensive player on the other team, giving them a bigger guard to defend wing players
So go head and poke holes in it but I'm just saying..you cant blame him soley for what happened in denver..and I'm not even an AI fan but i love his heart and talent
Posted by: Bobcat Terry | Aug 20, 2009 10:03:10 AM
I say we sign n trade felton or possibly trade bell & nazr or ramnovic for decent pf..its not like this team has made playoffs W/ felton before..so why not try AI and he will def help sell more tickets
Posted by: Jay | Aug 20, 2009 2:11:27 PM
Hmm, we can't offer Iverson money or PT.
Gee, I wonder how we could offer him both of those things.
If only we had the option to let loose one of those guys that is going to take up a lot of our salary cap and who plays guard.
Can anyone think of anybody like that?
Offer Felton a contract that is indicative of a 6th man, because that is what he should have been all along, and that is what he should be if this team is to be successful. If he doesn't want it, let him leave.
Skipping over a proven star to retain Raymond Felton? At least fatty May had the decency to end his reign of uselessness here. But Felton is the gift that keeps on giving!
Posted by: Will | Aug 20, 2009 8:59:34 PM
I agree will, I thought it was interesting how LB said "One or both of those things" meaning, give me a veteran and ship out ray who isnt producing.
Posted by: mp | Aug 20, 2009 9:59:24 PM
I think we'll get Iverson & Felton signed but no PF. I think you may see another trade in November or December. Reebok executives said they believe Iverson will sign with Charlotte (already designing Bobcats colors into AI's shoe?).
Posted by: Les Porter | Aug 21, 2009 8:00:30 AM
I hope Bob Johnson sells the team to someone whos willing to spend money and make us respectable around the league..NY needs a pg and some defensive presence..does anyone think they would be willing to trade felton for david lee w/ some secondary players that would make the trade work..it that happens we will be business for sure
Posted by: Jay | Aug 21, 2009 9:32:07 AM
Funny, I thought Procton would stop posting when his boy Mek got traded. I hope we get A.I. just to see Procton go nuts on here.
Posted by: apauldds | Aug 21, 2009 11:24:26 AM
Amen apauldds. He should go spam the New Orleans Hornets web pages to see how his boyfriend Chokafors doing. Will, I couldn't agree more.
Posted by: D.W.G | Aug 22, 2009 6:37:22 AM
From Dime magazine: "Friday night, Dime’s Aron Phillips spoke to an unnamed source who works in the NBA and said that Allen Iverson has worked out the details of a contract with the Charlotte Bobcats, but the deal won’t be official until next week."
Based on all the other buzz I have seen I think AI is a Bobcat. This also lines up with Bob Johnson's return to Charlotte. Press conference anyone?
Posted by: Les Porter | Aug 22, 2009 7:49:51 AM
Renounce the rights to Felton. Both problems would be solved.
Posted by: Bill | Aug 24, 2009 8:52:56 AM
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