Analysis: Pistons get glimpse of Iverson's impact in loss

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- After waiting an extra couple of days, Allen Iverson finally made his Detroit debut. But it will take a little longer for the Pistons to develop the chemistry, cohesiveness and success with Iverson that they had with Chauncey Billups at the point.

Iverson led Detroit with 24 points, but it was Nets' point guard Devin Harris who was the star of the night. Harris scored a career-high 38 points to help the Nets rally from a 14-point hole in a 103-96 win at the IZOD Center.

It wasn't a classic Iverson performance by any means, but he gave a glimpse of why Joe Dumars brought him to Detroit.

With several weapons on their roster, the Pistons are an efficient offensive team, the most efficient in the NBA's first 10 days, in fact. But they are a jump-shooting team, ranking low in points in the paint and free throw attempts.

Detroit's new coach Michael Curry, caring about what brings success in the postseason, arrived at his new job wanting his team to be aggressive. And that's all Iverson knows how to be.

"He is a guy who gets to the free throw line a lot," Curry said before Friday's game, "and we're trying to get to be a better team at winning that free throw battle. It's something we really need."

They got it on this night. Iverson got to the line 13 times in his debut, and his teammates followed suit, as Detroit shot 39 free throws overall.

Early on, it seemed like Iverson's adjustment period didn't last one possession. The first time the Pistons had the ball, he waited patiently for Rip Hamilton to come off a screen and hit him in stride for a wide-open baseline jumper. The next time down the floor, he ran a side screen-and-roll with Amir Johnson and got to the bucket for a layup. Two possessions later, he hit Tayshaun Prince on the right wing for a three.

Near the end of the first quarter, Iverson did what he does best, getting to the line four times and by the end of the quarter he led the Pistons with 11 points and two assists.

The Nets got back in the game by employing a zone in the second quarter. The Pistons settled for long jumpers and went scoreless on four straight possessions, but Iverson ended the drought by crossing over Eduardo Najera and drawing a foul on Josh Boone.

But Iverson continued to make the Nets foul him in the third, drawing four fouls early in the period to help the Pistons get in the bonus. Harris did the same thing to Iverson on the other end though, and Iverson had to sit down with four fouls with 3:55 left in the third. But in his first 25 minutes, Iverson already had 12 free throw attempts.

Only nine times last season did a Piston player get to the line 12 or more times. Iverson did it in the first three quarters of his first game with Detroit.

Harris was doing his best Iverson imitation on the other end, though, shaking off his defender and getting into the paint to help him amass 24 free throw attempts, including 15 times in that third quarter to spark New Jersey's rally.

"We didn't handle the on-the-ball situation well," Curry said after the game. "That allowed them to dribble penetrate on us more."

The fourth quarter was more of Harris, with some big offensive rebounds from Josh Boone mixed in. Iverson was hit or miss. He missed five of his eight shots in the period and turned the ball over on a key late possession.

Iverson's final line (24 points on 6-of-12 from the field and six assists) was solid. His teammates' shooting was not. The rest of the Pistons shot just 35 percent.

Tayshaun Prince chalks that up to getting to know their new teammate.

"Obviously, you saw the lack of chemistry out there," he said. "We haven't had the opportunity to have practices with Allen yet."

They have had the opportunity to witness his bulldog mentality though.

"Once we get in the penalty, I'll just attack," Iverson said. "I know once we got five fouls, it's time for me to get the ball to the basket, and that's what I try to do.

"Coach, Joe Dumars, and some of my teammates told me when I got here not to worry about fitting in, and just to play my game. That's what I did [tonight] and I'm satisfied with it. I'm pretty sure as time goes by, I'll get better."

Curry believes that Iverson's ability will benefit his team down the line.

"The more weapons you have," he said, "the more aggressive offensive players you have, that puts the pressure on really good defensive teams. It also keeps you from being predictable."

While his team was efficient and cohesive before Iverson arrived, they didn't have that one guy who beat his man off the dribble whenever his team needed to score.

Iverson is that guy. Now, the Pistons just need to get efficient and cohesive again.