Boston Celtics: Would Allen Iverson Be a Good Fit off the Bench?

Now that the NBA lockout is finally behind us, it's time to start thinking about things like free agency, sign-and-trades and all the trimmings that keep NBA junkies like us occupied during a normal league offseason. 

The Celtics are of particular interest as far as these things go if for no other reason than that they have just six players signed to guaranteed deals for the upcoming season. Clearly, they need bodies, preferably ones that can play and better still, ones that are under the age of 30. 

One rumor that has been swirling and now seems to be gaining steam, involves former superstar Allen Iverson and his desire to come to Boston to come off the bench in the hopes of winning his first title.

Before we go any further, let's pause and give anyone reading this who has at least half a brain a minute to contemplate such a scenario.

OK, if you've collected yourself after falling to the floor in hysterical laughter, we can continue. If the Celtics were to actually even engage Iverson and his people on this topic let alone offer him a contract, it would be a massive mistake on multiple levels.

Iverson spent last season barely playing for a team in Turkey, a stint that ended in injury. The last time he played in the NBA, it was nearly two full calendar years ago. During that season, he walked out on the Memphis Grizzlies, a team chock full of young, impressionable talents, after three games for bringing him off the pine.

Then, after persuading his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, to take a flier on him, he left them too, although this failed experiment lasted 25 games.

Allen Iverson is done. He's 36 years old and the C's need to get younger. He has played no more than 53 games in a season once since 2006. He is selfish, as his actions during the 2009-2010 will attest. He can't even really play anymore and with that in mind, who knows what will happen if he does come to Boston and either can't live up to the credentials of his former self and/or he is buried at the end of the bench by coach Doc Rivers thanks to his diminished skills.

An idea like this brings to mind the C's ill-fated signing of Stephon Marbury a couple of years ago. Marbury was also washed up and had a difficult time adjusting to a reserve role. Iverson would be even worse.

At least Marbury had legitimate point guard skills and could distinguish between getting his own and setting up his teammates. Iverson has no such background. He has never been a team player, despite his sure-fire Hall of Fame status.

The Celtics should be concentrating on getting bigger, tougher up front, and younger, not entertaining the notion of bringing in a has-been looking for one last hurrah.