Is Allen Iverson the Answer in Dallas?

The Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons play tonight on ESPN, and I am certain I will see two things tonight:

1. Mark Cuban cutaways courtesy of ESPN the moment they locate him on the floor all night long, and…

2. Allen Iverson lighting up Dallas for a minimum of 25 points tonight.

AI isn’t deaf, and word gets back quick when you are a future Hall-of-Famer getting dissed by your peers. No, I’m not talking about Iverson getting blasted by beat writers or bloggers like myself who believe he does not deserve to start in the NBA All-Star game this year.

I am talking about Gary Payton, Kenny Smith, and Chris Webber, who all were on the NBA on TNT Tip-off show Thursday night and stated their displeasure with AI starting.

While I agree that there were a few guards that have played better the first half of the season than Iverson, AI still has it in him to light it up from time to time, and I think he is due.

Detroit coach Michael Curry has Rip Hamilton coming off the bench now, and while Hamilton did “what was best for the team” in taking on the new role as the Pistons version of Manu Ginobili, he wants to start just like anyone else who gets demoted.

The Mavericks' head coach Rick Carlisle will look across and see a Pistons team he is not too familiar with, though he will still see Rip and Rasheed Wallace there, whom he coached during his tenure from 2001-'03. Dallas, who has been rumored to be making moves in the coming weeks leading up to the All-Star break, may ironically be looking at Iverson in a different light soon.

With AI’s contract up after this season, many feel he will not resign with the Pistons. Mark Cuban could make a splash in bringing in Iverson to play the shooting guard role currently held by Jason Terry.

AI and Jason Kidd together in the back court for one season may be the Mavs Last Stand with Dirk if they stand pat this season. Iverson would certainly bring a spark to Dallas, and with his recent selection by the fans to start in the All-Star Game, he is as popular as ever.

The Mavericks would certainly like another alternative at upgrading their back court scoring, but if you can get AI for a bargain, would you sign him?

Iverson Stats This Season
17.9 Points / 5.6 Assists / 3.3 Rebounds
Contract:
2008-09 - $20.8 Million
Free Agent after season

Jason Terry Stats This Season:
20.2 Points / 3.7 Assists / 1.4 Steals
Contract:
2008-09 - $9.075 Million
2009-10 - $9.862 Million
2010-11 - $10.650 Million
2011-12 - $11.437 Million

Where do you think Iverson should go next season?