Iverson may not play tonight

by Matt Watson on Nov 5, 2008 3:25 PM EST

Last night in an interview on ESPN, Michael Curry said he expected Allen Iverson to be in uniform and in the starting lineup for tonight's game in Toronto. For reasons outside of the Pistons' control, however, that now seems unlikely. From Vince Ellis of the Free Press:

Newly acquired guard Allen Iverson may not play tonight when the Pistons take on the Raptors in Toronto. Chauncey Billups and Cheikh Samb, two of the Pistons dealt for Iverson, have yet to take their physicals for the Denver Nuggets. Under league rules, no one involved in a trade is allowed to play for his new team until all players involved are cleared to play.

For what it's worth, this doesn't apply to Antonio McDyess -- Denver waived the requirement for a physical, additional evidence that he'll soon be bought out. Billups, who isn't expected to make his Nuggets debut until Friday, has taken his sweet time getting to Denver. From Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post:

Billups was in Charlotte, N.C., when the trade was finalized Monday, so he then traveled to his home in Detroit to prepare for the move. Wednesday, while the Nuggets are in Oakland, Billups will travel to Denver and practice with the team Thursday, debuting Friday at Pepsi Center against Dallas (8:30 p.m. tipoff).

Billups, a Denver native and former star at the University of Colorado and George Washington High School, will wear No. 7 for the Nuggets.

Because of Denver's thin frontcourt, Cheikh Samb may actually see action with the Nuggets instead of immediately going to the D-League. As someone who's been following his development since before he even signed with the Pistons, I'm eager to see what he can do.

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Boston Globe is reporting that the Celtics are going to full court press McDyess.

by RyAN on Nov 5, 2008 3:52 PM EST reply actions

Billups is off the team and his lack of speed is still hurting us. ;)

by Tim on Nov 5, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions

lol thats great stuff

by Rban on Nov 5, 2008 4:12 PM EST reply actions

NOOO

by TW on Nov 5, 2008 4:58 PM EST reply actions

Canada already says he’s not playing:

http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=254862&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main

by Restructer_It on Nov 5, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions

Billups, who isn’t expected to make his Nuggets debut until Friday, has taken his sweet time getting to Denver. From Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post:>>

That is just like Billups – Taking his own sweet time. It sure worked for us for a long time.

by Mike on Nov 5, 2008 5:32 PM EST reply actions

Boston Globe is reporting that the Celtics are going to full court press McDyess.>>

True enough. The Cavs are also interested.

However, what the Celtics and Cavs don’t know but Dyess does know is that it has only been because of Arnie and Mike that Dyess has managed to stsy in piece on the court and not seriously injure himself again.

I hope he returns but he signs with some other team in the EC than all bets are off for me. Sorry

by Mike on Nov 5, 2008 5:35 PM EST reply actions