Is it time that people stop criticizing Andre Iguodala and start giving him the respect that he deserves? Not sure? Well let me answer that for you…YES! Iguodala is growing and developing right before our very eyes and it’s something that deserves to be discussed.
In an era where finding guys that excel on the defensive side of the ball comes at a premium, the Philadelphia 76ers may have a “top five” guy in that category. Wait scratch that…they definitely do have an elite guy on defense.
If you are looking for proof, look at the box scores from three games. The first two games you should pay close attention to are both games versus the defending NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers (12/17/10 & 12/31/10). Yes, the Sixers suffered defeat in both games, but take a look at Kobe Bryant’s production in both.
In the first game (12/17/10 in Philadelphia) Bryant played over 35 minutes and only scored nine points while shooting a dismal 3 for 11 from the field and was 0-3 from behind the arc. *In fact, that was the only time all season Bryant was held to single digits points. Impressive, right?
Now check the box score from the second time the two teams met on 12/31/10 in L.A. Bryant had a much better game this time pouring in 33 points, making 13 of his 24 shot attempts. Without taking anything away from Bryant, the main difference in this game was that Iguodala didn’t play due to tendinitis in his right Achilles.
The third game that you should check is the game between the Sixers and the Denver Nuggets on 1/30/11. Iguodala was asked to guard Carmelo Anthony and figure out a way to stop him. Stopping Anthony is exactly what Iguodala did. Anthony started the game off by making two of his first four shots in the 1st quarter. But the next made basket by Anthony didn’t come till the 4:37 mark of the fourth quarter. Yes, you read that correctly, Anthony went a whole two quarters without a made field goal attempt.
Bryant (25.5 ppg) and Anthony (23.6 ppg) are both top 10 in the NBA in scoring. However in games versus Iguodala they both scored way below their averages.
“Andre is a very proud guy, some of his best defensive efforts all season long have been against some of the best guys in NBA,” said Sixers coach Doug Collins. “He was fabulous…He did a great job on Carmelo” (in reference to Iguodala’s performance against Anthony).
Iguodala isn’t just doing it on the defensive end for the Sixers, he’s becoming more of a leader for this young group.
“This year I’ve been talking a whole lot, especially on the court,” said Iguodala. “We have a really young team, sometimes you have to say the same thing more than once but when you start seeing results…that’s when you see how to approach those guys.”
*The Sixers currently hold the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race and have a legit chance at the 6th seed. They have posted back to back winning months for the first time since 2008 and have won 14 of their last 18 home games.
They are far from being a contender, but they are definitely a team on the rise and a lot of that is due to the improved play of Iguodala.
(Follow me on twitter @jerv215)
iggy stinks
so does jrue
its funny e sno avg 14 and 6 and yall say he stunk
jrue holiday avg 14 and 6 and hes great lmao
Yeah, but the issue isn’t Iggy playing D. Its the contract. I don’t remember Bruce Bowan having a massive deal just to play D.
Iggy is a solid defender, but to have that much money locked up in an athlete, when there are basketball players needed on this team is ridiculous.
Listen Iggy is fine, what the Sixers need is a good BIG MAN! Defense wins games and Iggy is one of the best defenders in the NBA, Collins is doing a GREAT job with these youngsters…they will be fine, they just need a good center!