Allen Iverson

Iverson enters the final year of a contract and faces free agency next summer as a 34-year-old. Despite the advanced basketball years, Iverson is still one of the league’s quickest players and averages nearly 42 minutes per game for his career. He’s used his speed to become one of the best scorers in the league. A great ball hander, Iverson can go one-on-one and is dangerous in the open floor. Iverson doesn’t shoot for a high percentage from the floor, but he takes a lot of shots and can get to the line (9.3 career FTA/game). He’s playing less point guard of late, but still keeps his assists number above seven per game. His quick hands on defense are a source of steals for fantasy owners, though he’s not considered a great defender. The Nuggets are looking to become more flexible financially, so Iverson could be traded if Denver underperforms.

On ability alone, Allen Iverson is still one of the top guards in fantasy hoops. Few players can match his totals in points and assists. But the jury is still out on whether or not AI can co-exist and generate elite numbers while sharing the ball with Carmelo Anthony in Denver. After he was traded to the Nuggets last season his scoring average dipped down to 24.8 ppg in 50 games, which would have represented an eight-year low. Does that represent what we should expect from “The Answer” going forward? Or can the drop-off be explained away by the difficulties in adjusting to a new team/system/altitude at mid-season? Only time will tell.

Iverson has never felt so unwanted in his life. First, Team USA gave him the brush-off. Then Billy King spent the entire summer trying to ship him to Boston. Or Denver. Or Atlanta. Anywhere but Philadelphia. But that’s all blown over now, and it appears that AI will be running the show for the Sixers when they tip off the 2006 season. Fantasy owners should actually be pleased about this turn of events… Spared the grueling schedule of the World Championships and with something to prove after being thrown in the bargain bin, AI should be primed to show the world that he’s better than ever. And given the general lack of other options, there’s no reason to think he won’t at least come close to last year’s career-high in scoring. The one concern, as always, is health. At some point, the pounding of 40-plus minutes times 70-plus games on a 165-pound body has to catch up with him. Doesn’t it?

No one thought AI could be a point guard, except in “Dream Team” situations. “Sure,” said the haters. “He can pass to Timmy Duncan and Kevin Garnett. Let’s see him share the ball with less-talented ballers.” Ask and ye shall receive. Iverson led the NBA in scoring in 2004-05, posting 30.7 points per game, and was fifth in the league in assists, averaging 8.9. The rest of the Sixers complement Iverson’s game. Shot blocker Sam Dalembert and defensive stopper Andre Iguodala allow Iverson to freelance for steals – he swiped 2.4 per game last season, second only to Larry Hughes. Meanwhile, Kyle Korver is an excellent target for outlet passes, and Chris Webber (if healthy) should become a solid pick-and-roll partner. Assuming Iverson’s body can stand up to the pounding of another season, it is more than reasonable to expect him to finish among the leaders in scoring, assists and steals, and to figure in the MVP conversation when all is said and done.

Call him a fool or call him a hero, Iverson puts his body on the line every single play of every game. If basketball ever had a warrior, look no further than Iverson. Iverson is surrounded yet again with mediocre talent this year, as Eric Snow is now manning the point for phenom Lebron James. Iverson will be looked upon once again to provide almost all of the Sixers’ offense, which could be either bad or good in the eyes of fantasy owners. Sure, Iverson will have all the opportunities he needs for great point outputs, but his FG% is bound to suffer once again. Look for much of the same from Iverson this season, with a slight increase in assists. He's also a good bet to be among the league-leaders in steals. As long as he doesn’t find himself on the IL, Iverson should produce solid numbers and merits an early-to-mid second round pick.

Will continue to lead the Sixers -- and be among the NBA's elite -- in scoring, steals, and FG attempts as long as his wafer-thin body can take the pounding. AI showed skill as a playmaker in this year's Olympic trials, and may be called on for more of the same this year, spending time at the point. Of course, he won't have Duncan, McGrady and Carter as teammates -- but he could build on his assists-per-game.