Andre Iguodala: "I want to make an impact on both ends

[LieCheatSteal]

http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/igu ... _01_08.htm

Didn't see this posted and I just found it on Hoopshype. Enjoy.

If its posted, just lock it up.

[tk76]

Bad link

[barkley34]

He just forgot the htm on the end.

http://www.hoopshype.com/interviews/igu ... _01_08.htm

[Grenerd686]

good article. thanks

[tk76]

Good interview. Iguodala didn't seem to just throw out canned answers like we usually hear from athletes.

I was surprised to see the article was by Narducci. Why not just use it for the Inquirer? The guy must be the hardest working man in philly sports reporting- props to his hard work this year- esp with his blog.

I found this part interesting:

What part of your game have you improved on the most this year?

AI: Just reading defenses, really. They are really keying in on me and seeing how teams are setting up. There are certain spots to get the ball where it is harder for the defense to double on me.

It sounds like Iguodala has been thinking more instead of just attacking. That makes a huge impact- sort of like how a quarterback struggles until he learns the game well enough to react quickly and instinctively to what the defense brings.

I have seen a big drop-off in Iguodala from the second half of last year- especially seeing too many jumpers (although he is shooting better.) Hopefully, the hard work Iguodala is putting into learning opposing defenses will translate into better instinctive attacking of defenses over the next few years. The guy clearly works hard on his game, and has a good chance of maximizing his talent.

[THFM]

Iggy has lots of potential to be specail he is only 24 most people hit there prime around 26-28 so i think iggy has a lot of time to learn more things.

[LieCheatSteal]

Very frank answers from Iggy. He even admitted that he pressed early this year, thus explaining why his numbers are a little down and people want him traded. I expect big things from Iggy. He's adjusting to his role now and you can see that in the last game. Iggy's a keeper... but not for the max.

[76erinSJ]

Iggy will sign a 6 year 60 mill deal in the offseason.

[LieCheatSteal]

Iggy will sign a 6 year 60 mill deal in the offseason.

I don't think he'll sign for less than what he rejected. If this happens, his agent should be fired.

[dbodner]

thus explaining why his numbers are a little down and people want him traded

Are his numbers really down? Yeah, he everaged, basically, 20/6/6 last year after the trade. This year he's averaging 19.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 4.6 apg. I guess you could say his numbers are down (although I attribute most of the drop in assists to not having Korver and Joe Smith, both guys who provided floor spacing and could catch and shoot). But after the trade last year he shot about 42%, and averaged close to 5 turnovers per game. So far this year, as the focal point of the offense, he's averaging 44.4% shooting, and has brought his turnovers down considerably (3.04 per game for the year, but since December 1st he's averaging only 2.4 per game).

After a tough month of november (17.4 ppg, 41% shooting, 4.1 topg), his december and january #'s:
December: 19.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.3 spg, 2.4 topg, 45.8% shooting
January: 20.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.6 spg, 2.5 topg, 45.4% shooting

Those are very good #'s. If you were expecting more, I think you were a little unrealistic in your expectations. To be averging more steals than turnovers as a top option, while shooting nearly 46% and averaging 20 ppg is not bad in my book.

[Sixerscan]

(although I attribute most of the drop in assists to not having Korver and Joe Smith, both guys who provided floor spacing and could catch and shoot).

Plus he's playing a lot more 3 this year.