Iverson To The Knicks: 'It's A Given' Says Team Source

With the Allen Iverson’s free agency looming, it seems the Knicks’ interest in the controversial veteran has gone from casual to deadly serious, and the two sides are thinking of going steady. To abandon the lame relationship metaphors, let’s go to New York Times beat writer Howard Beck:

With the team in a free fall, and no other help on the horizon, Knicks officials are seriously considering Iverson as a quick fix. The matter was still being deliberated on Wednesday, but one team official said the chances were at least 50-50 that they would pursue Iverson.

Another person with close ties to the team put it in stronger terms. "It’s a given," said the person, who was not authorized by the team to discuss private deliberations. "They’re going to make the biggest play for him." […]

Publicly, D’Antoni and Walsh have expressed lukewarm feelings about acquiring Iverson, giving the impression that the team was considering him out of courtesy. But the person with close ties to the team said it was much more than that.

"It’s out of need," he said.

Okay, now let’s go back to the relationship metaphor. The Knicks are single, middle-aged, and painfully lonely (1-9). Sure, Iverson’s coming off a series of broken relationships, and yeah, he’s a little long in the tooth… But he’s still ALLEN IVERSON. Being seen around town with Iverson will definitely boost their profile in New York City, right? Right???

That’s the only possible explanation that makes sense. Clearly, the Knicks are looking for any way possible to salvage this year’s dismal outfit, and if that means turning to a serial heartbreaker like Iverson, I guess that’s what they’ll do. Remember, though: he’s used to being treated like a diva, and damnit, that’s what he deserves. Make him a starter, Mike.