Iguodala Won't Defer to Webber, Iverson

Discussion in 'Philadelphia 76ers' started by Really Lost One, Oct 14, 2006.

  1. Really Lost One

    Really Lost One Suspended

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Andre Iguodala saw what everyone else saw last season: a potential star who struggled to find his niche on a team with Allen Iverson and Chris Webber.

    Iguodala knew this last season, and he knew it during the offseason, when the 76ers guard/forward watched tapes and saw how he often became passive on offense and deferred to Iverson and Webber.

    "I never really asserted myself to attack on offense," Iguodala said. "I really have to get in that mode when that opportunity comes for me to step up and make a big shot. I need to just go after it instead of just passing it to Chris and Allen and letting them go to work."

    Sure, there were glimpses of that offensive ability last season, like when Iguodala scored 30 points in the rookie-sophomore game during the All-Star weekend and finished second in the dunk contest.

    But part of the problem for a Sixers team that finished 38-44 and out of the playoffs was that they were just that: glimpses.

    Consider that the Sixers were 9-1 last season when Iguodala scored 20 or more points in a game. When he wasn't a factor on offense, neither were the Sixers. They lost their last seven games when Iguodala failed to reach double digits in scoring.

    There was never a question about Iguodala's defense. He was by far the Sixers' best defender, often assigned to guard the opponent's best perimeter player, whether it was Cleveland's LeBron James, Boston's Paul Pierce, Houston's Tracy McGrady or the Lakers' Kobe Bryant.

    That won't change this season, although he should have some help with Rodney Carney, the Sixers' first-round draft pick this past June.

    But the Sixers believe that Iguodala can expand his offensive game while remaining a top defender.

    That's why, when asked which of his young players might have a breakout year, Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks mentioned Iguodala, who is in his third season. The Sixers drafted him ninth overall after he left Arizona following his sophomore season.

    "We've had conversations about [Iguodala] being more of a leader out there," Cheeks said. "Andre and I have talked about him taking more of an initiative out on the floor."

    That's fine with Webber, who bristled somewhat when he saw Iguodala take the blame for the Sixers' problems, whether it wasn't asserting himself on offense or being unable to contain certain players on defense.

    The reality on defense was that Iguodala had little help from his teammates.

    "I tell him, 'So what?' because he's going to be a great player," Webber said about the criticism. "He's one of the best athletes I've ever played with. Coming with the talent comes responsibility ... There's nothing like playing with a chip on your shoulder and some incentive in your back pocket."

    Iguodala has all of that.

    He improved his scoring average from 9.0 points per game as a rookie to 12.3 points per game last season. He also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.65 steals per game, which is why former Sixers coach Jim O'Brien used to call him "a stat-sheet stuffer." </div>

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  2. Avery

    Avery JBB IDIOT!! GOSH!!!

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    Man, if guys like Shav and Iggy are going about and doing their thing, the Sixers coudl be a handful. We know about Green and how he asserts himself, then you haev Sammy who vowed to do better and so far is showing plus th growth of Hunter in addition to C-Webb and AI. Ouch. No matter what some people may say, and how much I hate to say this. I got faith in this team.
     
  3. Answer_AI03

    Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">and how much I hate to say this. I got faith in this team</div>

    haha...got too!!
     
  4. B.e.

    B.e. The One Who Score Touchdowns and Spikes Mics

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    It is one thing to say it, now he has to make it happen.
     
  5. Apollo

    Apollo JBB Into The Fire

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    <div class="quote_poster">Air Fresh Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It is one thing to say it, now he has to make it happen.</div>

    Exactly.
     
  6. adiii

    adiii JBB JustBBall Member

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    <div class="quote_poster">Avery Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">No matter what some people may say, and how much I hate to say this. I got faith in this team.</div>

    I believe too!!!

    I love Chris Webber, I thought they would make the playoffs last year, but yeah. Dalembert was benched too much at the end of teh season. Iggy hopefully will turn into more of a factor. Sixers Champions? I can dream...
     

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