Mountains contain Gold...

Allen Iverson will lead the Nuggets to the NBA Finals.

When AI was dealt from Philadelphia on Tuesday, not only was Denver in store for the leagues second leading scorer and hard knock attitude, they got a flame lit under their franchise.

Just when it looked like life in the mountains couldn't get any worse, hope was brought in the form of a 5'10 pit-bull. When Melo hit Mardy Collins with a clenched finger swipe at the back end of the MSG brawl, hope for a gloried playoff run hit a brick wall in Denver. Luckily for Nugget fan's, they would have a new tattooed poster boy leading the way until the leagues’ leading scorer could return; Allen Iverson.

In the time following a blockbuster deal, where a superstar asks for a change and to be dealt from the place that he called home, and home called him their hero, everyone will scrutinize the choices made, by all parties. The aftermath of the AI deal will bring a new, fresh and promising future to both organizations involved in the process.

As the clocked ticked away and Nuggets brain trust saw their opportunity slowly fading to land one of the NBA's top 20 players of all time, they acted independently, and made it happen. When a third team couldn't be found to help make the deal more financially sound, the Nuggets acted swiftly.

In order to get a deal done Philly was looking for flexibility. What they got was just that, the ability to build a new team, give their tortured fan base a new start; new hope.

The Sixers acquired the rights to PG Andre Miller (13ppg, 9.1apg, 1.5spg), PF Joe Smith (expiring contract at the end of the season) and Denver's two 1st Round Draft Choices (protected before #20). In return, the Nuggets got a seven-time all star, two-time league MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and a guy who's consistently atop the leauges scoring race. Yah, they got a pretty good player in Allen Iverson. The futures of both franchises have been changed dramatically, and both for the best.

With Philadelphia reeling after having their best player in the past decade basically banished from all team operations - his locker name plate taken down, his highlights deleted from the teams intro video - they were desperate to move the superstar. GM Billy King's future as an executive in the league will not be a hall of fame story, yet, he had the opportunity to right a major wrong he had created. By moving AI, he would allow himself a fresh start, something the franchise desperately needs.

Although the Sixers were hoping for complete flexibility after the deal, they should be happy with their return. By picking up a proven PG in Miller to run your team, you've allowed a base to be built. Even though Miller has been ripped in the past for his lack of effort and sometimes monotonous characteristics on the court, he has been around the league for years and knows what it takes to survive in the NBA. Joe Smith's contract will expire at the end of this season and so will his tenure in Philly. To go along with their own lottery pick, the Sixers have also locked up two more first-round picks (picks will be from #20 and beyond). With the departure of AI, and the contract of Smith at the end of the year, the Sixers will have some financial flexibility for once. After having a team payroll in the high $90M figure, freeing up some cap space will be pivotal to success, that is, if King can make a few competent decisions, which has yet to be shown.

This upcoming draft class is going be deep, with big men at the forefront. If Philly can use its three first-round picks wisely and obtain quality youngsters to go along with Korver, Iguodala, and the newly acquired Miller, there could be light at the end of the tunnel. That light could be as bright as the sun if the lottery balls bounce in their favour and the number 1 pops up. In that case, Mr. Greg Oden, you are now the face of a franchise and a city where being a superstar, as AI will attest, is not an easy task.

In regards to the Nuggets, well they just landed themselves one of the most dazzling, charismatic, big game performers the league has ever seen. Iverson brings intensity to the game rivaled by no one today. Now it will be up to George Karl to make everything work.

Doubters have said that Iverson doesn’t possess the right attitude to win, that he causes turmoil in the dressing room, that his bad habits are going to catch up to him. Well tell me when that time comes, and trust me, I won't be holding my breath. When it comes down to it, AI can flat out play. Who else do you want the rock to be with in the final seconds of the game: Kobe, Wade, Lebron...or, how about Carmello Anthony?

The most showing sign, early in their existence as co-superstars, will be the trade off made by both. If they are able to work in harmony, sharing the ball and touches, feeding off each others strengths; speed, vision, pure scoring ability, then, they will succeed and the sky is the limit. If old habits reign true though, disappointment will follow. However, I don't see this happening.

The fire that has been lit under Iverson is one that will burn until he is hoisting the Finals Trophy and prophesizing his legacy, in Denver, not the 215. The vengeance he is going to hold to his former organization and their not-so-esteemed leader will burn deep. It was reported that Iverson asked for this deal, however, as we have recently learnt, that was not the case. What was asked for was a change in scheme, a new breath of life, if that meant dealing the superstar, well that was a decision for King to make, not Allen.

The Western conference is a powerhouse, and don't think that the likes of Nash, Duncan, Kirilenko, Nowitzki, Yao, and co. are going to let the Nuggets have a smooth ride. No, like the mountains, this will be a rocky climb to the top, but one only worthy of a warrior, and I like the chances of the small man with a big bite. Go get 'em Allen; you deserve the chance to finally shine.

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On a side note; this could all change in the very near future. With the Timberwolves losing out on the AI sweepstakes, disgruntled superstar Kevin Garnett could be in the same position as Iverson. If this happens and he lands with, say, the LA Lakers, well, the West just got even tougher to go through...

- JW