NBA Rumors: New York Knicks Smart to Stay Away from Allen Iverson

Adding Allen Iverson to any NBA roster would be a huge mistake.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the New York Knicks aren't pursuing the former Philadelphia 76ers superstar.

New York has the right outlook.

Carmelo Anthony, Jeremy Lin, Amar'e Stoudemire and J.R. Smith need touches to be effective. Anthony especially.

Once Lin went down with an injury, Anthony's game dramatically increased because he was able to receive touches in the post and in one-on-one situations. Lin was always in pick-and-roll situations.

Adding Iverson to that chemistry would be fatal. It's already a team in search of chemistry.

Iverson is a known gunner in the world of basketball. He could get you 30 points every night, but he was going to take 20 to 25 shots to get there.

He averaged more than 20 shots per game 10 times in his career, 24 or more shots seven times and 25 or more shots three times.

Iverson is the definition of a gunner.

Also, when you increase in age, you decrease in speed and quickness. This isn't the same league as 1996, the year he entered the NBA. Players are bigger, stronger, faster, quicker and more athletic.

At 6'0", 165 pounds, Iverson would struggle to find success in today's NBA. It's natural for a player of his age to lose speed and quickness, and I would be shocked if that wasn't the case.

Iverson isn't a great fit on a top-loaded, need-the-ball in their hands roster, and he's not worth taking a look at because his skills are significantly diminished.

New York is making the right decision.