If you told me last summer that Allen Iverson and Kevin Garnett would be traded in the next year; I would have asked you what funny tobacco were you smoking? If you also told me that I would be able to draft Allen Iverson in the second round of my fantasy basketball league to pair up with KG; I would asked you what silly juice are you drinking with your funny tobacco?  Fast forward today, Allen Iverson is a Denver Nugget and Kevin Garnett is a Boston Celtic (Check out the Dropping Dimes’ podcast of the KG trade.). In the Dropping Dimes mock draft, I was able to team up Allen Iverson with Kevin Garnett! Hey, do you have any stock tips?

Round 2 Pick 9: Allen Iverson, PG/SG, Denver Nuggets

We don’t know the fantasy impact to Kevin Garnett’s number playing in Boston. However we do have a good idea what fantasy numbers Allen Iverson will produce in Denver.  Last year when Denver pulled the trigger to team Allen Iverson with Carmelo Anthony, there were early questions if AI and Carmelo could play together.

Check out Allen Iverson’s number last year with the Nuggets and last year’s mock draft exposition on the man.

’06-’07: G 50 Min 42.2 – 24.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.2 bpg, 1.0 threes, 4.0 topg, 45.4 FG%, 75.9 FT%, 34.7 3PT%

It appears the combo of AI and Carmelo made for a dynamic duo ala Batman and Robin and not like Brittney Spears and Kevin Federline.

Iverson had to change his game in Denver where he’s not asked to jack up 25 shots/game like he was in Philly. AI is taking 19 shots/game as a Nugget and the result is that his scoring average dropped from 31 points to 25 points per game. A drop in FT attempts (11.6 attempts with Philly to 8.7 attempts with Denver last year) can also attribute to the drop in scoring.  Taking less shots has improved Iverson’s FG% however, from 41.3% to 45.4%. As a 76er, Iverson was never a great 3-ball shooter and the trend continues as a Nugget, only sinking a three-ball/game at a 34.7% clip. Iverson is still dishing out dimes like a broken slot machine at a 7.2 assists/game with Denver, but AI’s 4.0 TO/game may have Coach Karl grumbling at times on the bench.

Allen Iverson can swipe the rock with close to 2 steals/game (1.8). Iverson in recent years has deferred some of the rebounding duties and his 3.0 rebs/game will be the norm. Another common trend, unfortunately, is that Iverson will miss some games due to injuries. In 11 NBA seasons, Iverson has played a full 82 game season only once! The odds of AI playing another full season are like Lindsey Lohan making another good movie. 

Fantasy owners if you can live with 25 points, 7 assists and 2 steals/game with decent FG% (and who couldn’t?!?!) then come knocking on Allen Iverson’s door. With rumors that Garnett could be playing some center in Boston, center eligibility for KG would be sweeeet! With AI manning either guard spots it could provide more flexibility for this team with the next few picks!

Previous Picks
NOTE: Fantasy basketball mock draft teammate in bold.

1.1. Lebron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
1.2. Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
1.3. Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Phoenix Suns
1.4. Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics 
1.5. Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
1.6. Gilbert Arenas, PG, Washington Wizards
1.7. Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
1.8. Amare Stoudemire, PF/C, Phoenix Suns
1.9. Dwyane Wade, PG/SG, Miami Heat
1.10. Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
1.11. Elton Brand, PF, Los Angeles Clippers
1.12. Yao Ming, C, Houston Rockets

Previous Picks this Round

2.1. Pau Gasol, PF/C, Memphis Grizzles
2.2. Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
2.3. Jason Kidd, PG, New Jersey Nets
2.4. Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers
2.5. Rashard Lewis, SF, Orlando Magic
2.6. Dwight Howard, PF/C, Orlando Magic
2.7. Josh Smith, SG/SF, Atlanta Hawks
2.8. Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs