Timberwolves assistant coach Randy Wittman said the team “looked at trying to make something happen” to bring Allen Iverson here from Philadelphia before the 76ers traded him to Denver. He thought the acquisition of the superstar guard could make the Wolves “pretty good” for the next few years. Wittman told Sports Headliners the trade talks provided a learning experience for rookies Randy Foye (his name was included in media trade speculation) and Craig Smith.
“Guys have to learn that’s the business,” Wittman said. “I think it’s a good lesson for our two young rookies. That’s what you have to deal with, distractions off the floor that you can’t let affect you. Your name’s going to be there.
“It won’t be the last time Randy Foye’s name is mentioned in a trade, I guarantee you. I told him that after the Iverson trade went down. I said, ‘You can’t worry about what you read or hear. All you can worry about is what you do when you come on the floor, and make sure that you have that in order. You can’t lose sleep over God, are they going to trade me or are they not going to trade me’? Because you are in the league and you’re going to be a hell of a player in this league and that’s all you really have got to concentrate on.”
The Nuggets’ record is 4-8 since acquiring Iverson, a player who constantly has to shoot the ball and is seen as a distraction to winning by some A.I. watchers. The Wolves are 9-3 in their last 12 games.