The Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons couldn't make it through the first week of the NBA season without making a blockbuster trade. It was a trade that dealt now-journeyman Allen Iverson to Motown in exchange for ex-Colorado Buffaloes guard Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.
Why would a trade of such high magnitude happen this early in the season you ask? The simple answer is that both teams clearly wanted to improve their chances at making runs towards their respectiveconference playoffs come April. The more complicated answer is that either or both of these teams could be stocking a player on their roster only to be used as trade bait later in the season for more exotic offers before the NBA trading deadline on February 19th.
But make no mistake about it. Whatever their strategies, both clubs definitely made the statement they wanted (more so Detroit because #3's well-known talent and sometimes infamous behavior) in strengthening their team's offensive and defensive firepower. A.I.'s thuggish, bad boy reputation will be welcomed in the so called "Hockeytown" and give them back a taste of what used to be when they had the likes of Bill Lambeer and company. The Pistons will gain some added scoring ability through Iverson as well and will be an excellent compliment to Rip Hamilton in their backcourt. Collectively, Detroit is a well rounded defensive team because they execute together when not on offense. They use weakside help to their advantage and rotate beautifully when a defender is caught out of position so they are technically never playing one-on-one style defense. With that said, the Pistons will hardly miss Billups and McDyess on the defensive side of the ball.
In Denver, the Nuggets will get a lift at point guard by aquiring Chauncey Billups. In fact, the team should see similar success at that position before they let go of now 76er point man Andre Miller. Billups will obiously start right away and provide the team with a larger framed guard who can post up his shorter and smaller sized counterparts on offense. He will also add the lacking assist to turnover ratio that was missing when the team brought in Allen Iverson for more scoring. The rest of the teams starters should see increased productivity in the points column with Billups running the show. He makes good decisions with the rock in his hand and can also fill it up at the free throw line.
Antonio McDyess, while getting thrown to the backburner when talk of this trade arises, will give the Nuggets a nice boost at power forward. He will give head coach George Karl the option of playing him as a starter or have the former Alabama Crimson Tide big man come off the bench to give Kenyon Martin a breather. McDyess has always thrived on both ends of the court and brings a balanced basketball player attitude to the team. He won't light up the scoreboard in Denver like Iverson, but then again, no one will expect him too. Expect a decent amount of playing time to come his way but not too many as to overwork him.
I like this trade alot. It couldn't have happened at a better point in the season. I like the fact that both front offices went after big names to show they want to contend when the playoffs come around. Both teams will drastically benefit from the trade and expect them both to make the postseason. Maybe not as #1 seeds heading in, or even to the NBA Finals, but neither team will be packing their bags when the last regular season games are complete on April 15th.