Philadelphia Daily News AS A FRANCHISE, the 76ers have never done well in the transition from superstar to superstar. A year removed from the 1967 NBA championship, the Sixers decided they wanted to get younger and faster for the 1968-69 season, so they traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers. They treaded water for eight seasons until new owner Fitz Eugene Dixon broke the bank and shelled out $6 million to acquire Julius Erving in 1976. A year after the Sixers won the 1983 title, they drafted Charles Barkley, fifth overall. Barkley was supposed to carry the torch after Doctor J passed it to him and rode into the sunset, but Chuck wasn't the patient type. It didn't take long before he was suggesting that Doc take his dwindling skills to the retirement home sooner rather than later. Erving retired after the 1986-87 season. Barkley didn't fumble the ball, but he didn't take it to the end zone, either. After a mildly successful 8-year reign, Sir Charles packed his bags for Phoenix after the 1991-92 season. With no heir to step in, the Sixers wallowed in the wilderness for four seasons. Then they lucked into the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and selected Allen Iverson. Entering his 10th season, and coming off arguably his best one ever, Iverson isn't a guy whose tank is empty; still, it is reaching the point at which the end is starting to look closer than the beginning. For once, however, the Sixers appear to have the right piece in place to make a smooth transition from superstar to superstar. Second-year swingman Andre Iguodala isn't pushing to be the face of the franchise immediately. He is comfortable with the fact that the Sixers are still Iverson's team. He is content to play his role, learn and gain experience while playing alongside Iverson and recently acquired Chris Webber. But make no mistake; the successor to the throne is already in the castle. Whenever Iverson is ready to turn over the mantle, he can be pretty sure he will hand it off to Iguodala, the ninth overall pick in the 2004 draft, who became the first Sixer since Iverson to make NBA All-Rookie first team. "I'm happy to hear that [people regard me as the next Sixers star]," said Iguodala, who left the University of Arizona after two seasons. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to be in that position. "Right now, A.I. and Chris are going to be the leaders of this team, for who knows how many years to come, but I think each year my role is going to become bigger and bigger." The only Sixer to start all 82 regular-season games, Iguodala averaged 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.68 steals. He's one of those guys who might not do any one thing spectacularly, but does everything very well. And every time you watch him play, you know that he is just scratching the surface and that there is so much more to come. Source
This is what I`m so excited for. Watching Iggy grow into a perenial NBA superstar. Now it may take a few years, but Andre is just going to get better and better to each ascet to the game.
Nice article, I really agree that Iguodala will be the successor to Iverson, he has a good all-round game, and is still young and learning. Gotta disagree with this though- <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's one of those guys who might not do any one thing spectacularly</div> Urm... dunks... anyone? Hehe.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He's one of those guys who might not do any one thing spectacularly</div> I have to agree with that statement. If you recall the only knock on Iggy coming out of Arizona was that his jumpshot wasn't exactly the best jumper in the world and as the season went on you saw the jump progress more and more. Now I can add to that statement and say Iguodala doesn't have any weakness, but he doesn't do anything spectacular at this stage in his career.
Great article and a very interesting read. There is no doubt that Andre Iguodala will be the next superstar for the sixers. Iggy, Dalembert and even Louis Williams means that the team will not be short of stars. Iggy however, will shine so brightly. He has been well schooled in College coming from a great program, he has had the benefit of working with Iverson seeing how he conducts himself and how he shoulders responsiblity etc. Iggy has all the physical skills to be the next superstar and we are just lucky that he has the persona to do it as well. AI the sequel will see us in the playoffs for the next ten years i believe.
