Chemistry Lesson In the D: Allen Iverson Joins the Detroit Pistons

Hard work, strength, aggression, defense, overlooked, and consistency; these are terms often used to describe the Detroit Pistons.  Since the early 80's Bad Boys, they've had a reputation of being a team of misfit underdogs who use their size and defensive strategy to take them to the top of the NBA ladder. 

This was certainly true in 2004 when Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace brought home an unexpected NBA Championship, beating the heavily favored L.A. Lakers.  Over the last four years, the Pistons have continued to play at the top of the league, but have fell short of recapturing the championship. 

Last week, GM Joe Dumars shocked the league when he traded Billups and Antonio McDyess to Denver for Allen Iverson.  Now, the question is whether or not Iverson can help the Pistons once again get a ring and whether he can adjust to Coach Michael Curry's system.  In my opinion, this will not be a problem because Iverson embodies all of the qualities associated with being a basketball player in the D.  In the words of Hamilton, "He has the heart of a lion, and he plays every game like it's his last."

Both Wallaces', Billups, and Hamilton had played for a number of teams before Dumars brought them to Detroit and had had moderate success.  Rasheed Wallace was known throughout the league as being a troublemaker and the others were looked at as being insignificant, expecting the team to implode. 

Shockingly, Coach Larry Brown was able to deal with Rasheed's attitude and his starting five turned out to have an amazing chemistry together that helped them make their championship run.  Years later, the team is in the exact same situation.  Iverson's reputation has followed him everywhere despite the fact that most of the issues that he has had were during his early years in the league.  He has proven again and again that he is willing to work hard and has moved from selfish basketball play to being a team player determined to win. 

His scoring stats speak for themselves (he has the league's third highest scoring average behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain) and he has been a Rookie of the Year, league MVP, an Olympian, and an eight time All-Star.  The only thing he hasn't done yet is win a NBA Championship.  Now, he may finally have his chance.

New Coach Michael Curry's strategy this season has been simple:  Aggression and accountability on both ends of the court.  He wants his whole team to get playing time and work towards their singular goal of winning another ring.  Iverson should have no trouble with this.  He is not as strong defensively as the other players on his time, but in time he will adjust and get better. 

When he is on the court, he is focused and he always plays his heart out.  His take—no—prisoners attitude meshes well with the Pistons' "going to work" concept.  In Detroit, it is all about what you can do for the team and not about personal scoring stats. 

When Iverson came into the league, he had issues with this concept but as he has matured, it has become more about winning than personal recognition.  He has learned that in order to win it is all about sacrifice.  It will surely take a little bit of time before his chemistry with his new teammates will develop, but I think in the end it will be the best thing that could have happened to the team.  Hamilton modelled much of his game after Iverson and I can't wait to see them running the floor together.  According to Iverson, "I know the sky's the limit for us."