The Answer

Allen Iverson has been my favorite NBA player for many years now, because of his grit and heart. Despite his occasional outbursts, he gives everything he's got to his team. He's one of the most entertaining players in the league, and also one of the most competitive.

So of course the Nuggets, who the last few years have made a habit of torturing me by talking about big moves and making the leap, but then signing guys like Reggie Evans and Howard Eisley, have been linked to Iverson in trade talks ever since we found out AI was available. Usually when you hear about the Nuggets involvement, its that "the Sixers aren't interesting in Denver's offer for Iverson."

I know they are just tormenting me, because we don't have anything anyone wants at this point. They don't want Miller and K-Mart/Camby. The Sixers want youth, and not another hobbling microfracture surgery power forward with a huge contract.

I don't care though. I'm all for throwing all our draft picks at them, and whatever else we can sweeten the deal with. AI would make us a championship contender immediately. He is exactly, exactly, exactly what the Nuggets have needed the last two seasons, a premier perimeter/driving scorer to complement Melo. Melo/AI would be the most fearsome scoring combo in the league. How long have the Nuggets needed a shooter/penetrator to spread the defense that collapses around Melo everytime he touches the ball? I know he's getting old and banged up, but come on. 33 points a game last year. People say that if you've got Melo and AI on the same court, who takes the last shot? Well, the opposing team has to be wondering the same thing.

Plus, the AI Nuggets jersey might become the best selling jersey in the NBA. And that stuff matters. I'm dead serious.

I'm all about mortaging the future, if only to give us a couple of shots right now. I'd hate to agree with the Denver Post's Mark Kiszla about anything, at anytime, but AI is the answer. Pull the trigger Denver. Make it happen.