Iverson Trade: Why Detroit Got the Better Deal

Allen Iverson joined the Detroit Pistons on Monday, sending Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheikh Samb to the Denver Nuggets.

Denver competes in the grueling Western Conference where it is difficult to contend. The Nuggets were swept out of the first round of the playoffs in 2008 by the L.A. Lakers as Iverson completed his first full season with the team. Getting a point guard and a solid bench player won't help get more production out of Carmelo Anthony or anyone else.

Iverson went to Denver to make the team a possible title contender. His scoring average dropped from where he was with Philadelphia (28.3 to 25.6) which is understandable. He just never mixed well when he was with another star player on the roster. Look at the Sixers when he played with Chris Webber.

Playing in Detroit will make the Pistons a contender in the weaker Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics are who teams need to beat and the Pistons could possibly pull it out with Iverson.

He will be playing with a cast of talented semi-stars in Richard Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince. With this cast, Detroit will have a balanced attack with Iverson leading the way.

Compare these Pistons with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron James and Iverson leading their teams with a supporting cast of players. The only difference being the Pistons cast has experience and better talent in my opinion.

It certainly will help with their fast break where Iverson likes to get out and push the ball up the court.

Iverson will need to be able to mesh well with his teammates where he can disperse the ball to the other players and be able to take over a game like he once did with Philadelphia.

I'm not saying they overtake Boston in the East, but the Pistons put themselves toward the top with Orlando, Cleveland, and Philadelphia like last year. Only this year they have a player that can take over a game in the playoffs when they need one.

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