Iverson trade rush, Isiah's gaffe, Suns' streak & more

	Sixers GM Billy King is in a tough spot after Allen Iverson demanded a trade. AP

It appears as if Philadelphia GM Billy King is having a difficult time finding a suitable trading partner for his 76ers ... and we're shocked! And stunned! King hopes to unload disgruntled superstar Allen Iverson sooner rather than later, but even with King's usual dubious standards as to what constitutes a "good" trade for the Sixers, the process is taking longer than he'd like.

The idea that King wouldn't just sit on the situation until he came up with a real cracker of a deal is maddening. After all, the trading deadline is still two months away. Then again, the same delusion that allows for a man to designate rookie Rodney Carney as the missing link between last year's (lucky-to-be) 38-win team and a potential playoff participant also reveals itself in the form of a man thinking these as-yet unnamed parts he'll get for Iverson will create a postseason-worthy team in Philly (and yes, we know the Sixers are in the Atlantic, where a .400 record puts you atop the division).

Does anyone think this is going to work out well for either side? None of the projected trades is going to have a hand in turning around the 76ers, and who can't see frustration brewing down the road (sooner rather than later) for A.I. and his newest batch of teammates?

It does make for some entertaining viewing, however, when taking in all the players and their stunning lack of perspective. After all, it's hard to turn away from watching a train wreck.

• Why no team has traded for Seattle guard Earl Watson is beyond me. Watson is hopelessly out of place on a Seattle team that, from the front office down to the coaching staff and onto the court, cares little for defense. Watson might be the NBA's best defensive point guard, but apparently this means little to coach Bob Hill. And this is probably the reason Watson is chucking long jumpers early in the shot clock during the few minutes he's afforded, no doubt trying to entice teams into trading for him (though the results have been horrid -- 13-of-61 from long range for a 21.3 percent clip).

Still, there's no reason Miami's Pat Riley shouldn't be making this guy his top priority, especially with Jason Williams' shoddy knees, and Gary Payton (6.7 points and 2.5 assists in 25.9 minutes a game) ready for the gold watch.

• Anyone making excuses for the disappointing Celtics should look at the job Mike Woodson is doing in Atlanta. The Hawks have been on the fringe of the Eastern playoff bracket all season, consistently alternating wins with losses, with a roster replete with youngsters.

Yes, Woodsen is chuffed to have Joe Johnson and his 29 points per game on board, but he's also had to overcome a disappointing veteran crew. Speedy Claxton is probably the league's worst rotation player (4.2 points and three assists in 22.7 minutes), and fellow free agent-signee Lorenzen Wright is just about finished.

Even worse, the Hawks have gotten next to nothing from their last two lottery picks, with Marvin Williams (who is 3-for-17 from the field since returning from a broken finger) and Shelden Williams (6.1 points, 5.9 rebounds in 21.7 minutes) struggling to find their way.

And yet, Woodsen has them competing -- during their longest losing streak of the season, the Hawks lost four in a row by an average of 3.3 points. When the two Williamses figure things out, this squad should be ready for a playoff run. Good thing, because we wouldn't trust GM Billy Knight with another lottery pick.