What is Wrong With Iguodala? Gut Check!

[STChaser]

Did I miss something? I know he hurt his leg two games ago but was his play last night indicative of this injury or did he just not show up? Serious, I'm not with Sendem when it comes to Iguodala, but it was humiliating watching LeBron mark the Wachovia Center as though he were a lion marking his territory with all the showboating, etc. Even our enforcer, Evans, was basically tossed to the floor by LeBron - which SHOULD have resulted in at least a technical! On the other hand, Iguodala has been absent lately. Not just last night, but also against Granger during the Pacers game, who repeatedly burned us. If Iguodala is hurt, he needs to sit. Playing handicapped like this is only going to hurt his confidence.

This game was a pride-check for our team - the kind of game where the real stars step up to the plate and silence the antagonist. What last night showed me was this; the true leaders on this team (at least last night) were Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young, who took over the game when it mattered most. Thaddeus became a man last night when he stole the ball from LeBron and dunked it on the other end. While Iguodala shrank from the challenge, our 2nd youngest player in the league took on the challenge and didn't back down. And once again, Lou showed me that ounce for ounce, he's the best talent on this roster. The kid is playing with the poise of a veteran guard. There's no denying it anymore. Lou is the real deal and will be a big part of this franchise's future.

So again, where did Iguodala lose that swagger? Why the refusal to take it strong to the rim last night and instead settle for jump shots? Is he legitimately hurt or has he lost all confidence in himself? I really hope it's not the latter - not now, when we're heading into the playoffs...

Another thing that last night showed me was this; we NEED a heavier version of Dalembert who can come off the bench and dole out hard fouls - even if that means getting Kenny George to come off the bench just for this purpose. Sam was getting steamrolled by Ilgouskas last night and when LeBron took it at him, he along with the rest of our team ran away and basically laid out the red carpet for him. This team needs an enforcer who is going hard foul LeBron on the first dunk attempt and make him think twice about trying it again - and we need a big body at the 5 who isn't going to get pushed around by the larger 5's in this league, primarily the Bynum's, Howards, etc. I like Sam and I'm proud of his play this season but he's a total liability against the heavier 5's in this league.

STChaser

[Sixers24]

Overreaction at its finest, folks.

[tk76]

Iguodala is hurt. His assist numbers have gone up since his injury. He is trying to be as productive as he can out there, but at this point in his career his offense is reliant on athletesism, so the injury limits his ability to score.

If you have watched all of the Sixers games against the Cavs the last two years you will know that Iguodala often does well against Lebron. Remember last year when the Cavs were fighting for 2nd seed- Iguodala took over in the 4th and OT to beat Lebron and the Cavs.

I'm sure some will call me an apologist, but no way will I measure Iguodaala by his performance last night. Its hard enough to stay in front of Lebron- but to do it with a bum wheel is next to impossible.

[Mik317]

WHY DO YOU DO THIS.....YOU JUST OPENED THE GATES TO HELL...........NOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU FOOL.
\

Honestly tho I just think Iggy had a bad game at the wrong time. The last few gaem befroe this one he was hitting those shots.......nothing more nothing less.......but you just created a monster I hope your happy with yourself.

[SendEm]

Lebron normally NEVER "shows up" his opponent but last night he was clearly disrespecting Iggy. After Lebron would lock Iggy down on defense he would shake his head with his lips twisted up and to the side like "this guy is NOTHING and I am her to expose him. I can't believe that they are trying to iso him on me." But the worst part was that Iggy was CLEARLY intimidated by dribbling the ball off of his foot out of bounds, and losing the ball two other times that ended up in Miller/LW bail out made jump shots. Iggy was still fearfully trembling after one iso on Lebron were he actually received a foul call sending him to the line. Iggy went to the line and almost shot an airball but it just barely nicked the front of the rim before hitting the floor. The other iso's ended in Iggy shooting off balance jump shots that were waaaaaaay off target due to him having a reduced concentration level from LBJ intimidating him.

LBJ had Iggy shaking in his boots. Iggy crumbled under the pressure of competing against a player of that caliber. Mo Cheeks didn't allow Wllie Green to bail Iggy out this game with the LBJ defensive assignment like in the previous 2 Cavs games. I wouldn't put it past Stephanski to have had something to do with this ESPECIALLY after Iggy didn't guard Danny Granger the entire game a few nights ago for whatever reason. Stephanski probably stepped in and said "We know that you want to do what's best for the team Mo, but we need to evaluate exactly how well he can defend against LBJ if he's going to be our $60 million dollar guy."

As for Iggy being hurt, was he also hurt when he scored 22 against the Wiz a couple of nights ago? I don't think so...

[STChaser]

Sendem, to be fair those 22 that Iguodala scored against the Wizards were mostly 3's and perimeter shots. He obviously wasn't as mobile as he normally is. But I do agree that Iguodala looked like a beaten man most of this game - and that LeBron showed absolutely ZERO respect for our team. Which is why I am so pissed off that the F'in officials gave them the game on a BS call that SHOULD have gone against Ilgouskas!

Like I said before, this was a gut-check game and the two guys who really rose to the occasion were Lou and Thad, who didn't play "scared". I want warriors on this team; guys who can physically step up and silence a-holes like LeBron when he starts with those antics. For all of AI's faults (and trust me, I could list pages worth of them), the one thing I will say about him is that he didn't allow himself to get shown-up. Iguodala showed me that he has it in him to step up and elevate his game when we played the Celtics and he dominated Pierce in the 4th. But last night would have been a great time to remind me just why he should be this team's future franchise player and instead of convincing me that he was an elite player worth the coin, he shrank. Again, IF he is indeed hurt, he needs to sit and recover. Games like last night's are only going to hurt his confidence.

STChaser

[tk76]

Why should he sit. If he is 70% he still is better than Carney starting. He did not try to do too much given he couln't explode off his bad leg. He racked up assists.

I respect him for going out there and giving what he could for the team. Some players like Camby miss months because nagging injuries liomit their games. Iguodala is similarly reliant on his athletasism, but has played through every injury, and is there for his team.

I refuse to drag him through the coals for not being able to stop Lebron in the 4th- especially given the circumstances.

Everyone pretty much agrees that Iguodala is not a superstar like Kobe, MJ or Lebron. he doeesn't deserve a top 25 contract (there are 24 all-stars.)

Fortunately, even a Max contract would not even make him the 36th highest player in the NBA (and he won't get the max) so rehashing this same thread lacks credence.

Unless you think Iguodala is a Roger Mason, Jemario Moon typle of player, then we should keep him and build from there.

[STChaser]

Why should he sit. If he is 70% he still is better than Carney starting. He did not try to do too much given he couln't explode off his bad leg. He racked up assists.

He also racked up missed shots. And I'd rather sit him and let him fully recover for the playoffs than have him playing injured and possibly re-injure the leg. Again, what about the confidence factor tk76?

I respect him for going out there and giving what he could for the team. Some players like Camby miss months because nagging injuries liomit their games. Iguodala is similarly reliant on his athletasism, but has played through every injury, and is there for his team.

Yeah, another Philly athlete named McNabb "played through injury and was there for the team" and look how well that turned out - an entire season wasted, not just for him, but also for all his teammates as well as the fans. There are times when players need to recognize that resting and recovering is more important both for the team, and for their health. I would have respected Iguodala more had he recognized he was injured and rested. So what if Carney plays more minutes. We lost the game anyway.

I refuse to drag him through the coals for not being able to stop Lebron in the 4th- especially given the circumstances.

I wouldn't drag him through the coals if I didn't think he was capable of playing better. But I DO think Iguodala is much better than what he showed last night (and against the Pacers in terms of his defense on Granger) and what bothered me is that there was no fire in him; the competitive drive was totally lacking. This is worrisome to me because it's normally my favorite trait of his - that will to get to the rim and compete.

STChaser

[SendEm]

Mason scored 31 points last night off of 7-9 3's with 4 assists and 6 rebounds. If Iggy had that sort of game everyone around here would be singing his praises like that Terrel Owens song the Eagles fans made up "T-Ooooo, T-O-T-O-T-O-T-O T-Oooooo!...", but it would be "Iggieeeeee, IggyIggyIggyIggy Iggieeeee!...." Roger Mason and Moon are still excellent values considering what they get paid (under $800,000 per) in comparision to what Iggy TURNED DOWN ($11.5 million per). That's obvious...But that's coming from the perspective that utility wing players like Iggy are easy to replace in a game where play makers, big men and scorers contribute the most towards winning championships.

I'd rather pay Roger Mason $15 million over 5 than Iggy $60 over 5. I'll spend the money saved on acquiring a more talented/stronger willed player than Iggy that will bring us closer to title contention.

[STChaser]

Here is a can of worms but who would you rather build this team around - Granger or Iguodala? Which player has more upside?


STChaser

[tk76]

I see your concern, but I'm willing to give him a pass. i have seen him stare down Lebron last year in a OT win. I have no doubt about Iguodala's fire or willingness to step up. He lacks the ofensive skillset of a superstar, but not the fire or intensity.

It was fair to question these things when he was passively watching AI and CWebb dominate the ball during his first two years in the NBA, but I am confident that those concerns are in the past.

Iguodala could not stay in fron of Lebron at the end of last game, nor could he get to the basket. I attribute this partly to him being hurt, but even so, its wouldn't be the end of the world if Lebron abused him in one game.

[SendEm]

Here is a can of worms but who would you rather build this team around - Granger or Iguodala? Which player has more upside?


STChaser

I said a while back that Granger was the caliber player that Iggy was and people around here scoffed...It looks to me that Granger has now surpassed Iggy and is on that Hedo level but much earlier in his career. Granger is a VERY tough player,you can see it in his face. The only things that Iggy has on Granger are open court ability, passing, and steals. But Granger has EVERYTHING else on Iggy. Both of them do not play lock down defense. I would trade Iggy straight up for Granger and we would then have our go to scorer and 3 point shooter along with increased rebounding.

[ahwi_quacoe]

He looked healthy to me , just shook!!!!!!!!!!!!

No handles , no real ability to be his man in the halfcourt . Only in hte open floor. That really shows that he doesn't have real handles. ( a lot of palming on his part) and no jumpshot. The sixers future is at a crossroads. Beware.

[SendEm]

Iguodala could not stay in fron of Lebron at the end of last game, nor could he get to the basket. I attribute this partly to him being hurt, but even so, its wouldn't be the end of the world if Lebron abused him in one game.

Lebron also abused Iggy in the prior game whenever Willie Green wasn't defending him...Again people said "well it was Lebron..." now it's "Well Iggy was hurt..."

Okay...

[STChaser]

Tk76, I hope you're right. I hope this game was just an anomaly and that Iguodala was genuinely hobbled.

Sendem,
I'm not sure I'd trade Iguodala for Granger but I do have one question; how the hell did Granger go 17 in the draft? He should have been at least a top 10 in my opinion.

STChaser

[SendEm]

He looked healthy to me , just shook!!!!!!!!!!!!

No handles , no real ability to be his man in the halfcourt . Only in hte open floor. That really shows that he doesn't have real handles. ( a lot of palming on his part) and no jumpshot. The sixers future is at a crossroads. Beware.

What a breath of fresh air FINALLY someone that knows what actually took place last night on that basketball court. Lebron was like Ricky Manning Jr. and Iggy was Todd Pinkston...

[SendEm]

Tk76, I hope you're right. I hope this game was just an anomaly and that Iguodala was genuinely hobbled.

Sendem,
I'm not sure I'd trade Iguodala for Granger but I do have one question; how the hell did Granger go 17 in the draft? He should have been at least a top 10 in my opinion.

STChaser

Granger has worked on his game since entering the league just like Kevin Martin. Those two guys don't have bouts with self doubt like Iggy or nearly as much as Iggy does... I don't need a Lebron stopper or someone that can score like Kobe, I just want someone who is not going to shrivel when facing that sort of competition in a big game. Granger and Kevin Martin are those sorts of players because they have half court games. Iggy is a open court player and a good playmaker in the half court. The open floor is shut down in the playoffs...

[dbodner]

[Mik317]

I like how you guys are all overeacting over ONE fockin game. Iggy shot poorly and yes he couldn't stay in front of Lebron whether or not taht was from injury it's still nearly impossible for the best players to stay in front of Lebron. One game guys one game.

to say Iggy is scared is just focking stupid and childish. The man has palyed every damn game this season and is top 10 in minutes and is playing hurt and you dumbasses have the gall to say he's scared? **** if Iggy was scared he wouldn't have played.

I like how all of you trolls come out of the woodwork whenever Iggy has a bad game. EVERY gawd damn time he has an off night (which I've been told no other true numebr one every has, right Iverson?), there is a topic about "why is Iggy not as great as I thought?".

To say I'd rather pay a journey amn one demensional role player money than Iggy shows that your just a butthurt little kid. Geez, I understand that maybve Iggy hasn't lived up to your high expectations and you don't think we should pay him ( in fact I too think we're about to overpay him) but to do this say rigamarole every week is just sad. Let it go and move on with your life, dude.

I can't wait until we trade or don't resign Iggy so we can go back to sucking hard. Atleast then, this board wouldn't be filled with poeple whose soul pirpose is to piss off eveyone.

[STChaser]

knux,
I don't dislike Iguodala. As I said, my issue is that I do expect more from him in these type of games where one player is killing us - just like Granger did to us the game before. There are few things more frustrating in sports than watching one player repeatedly pick your team apart and that is what I've been seeing lately. And I could understand this if we were talking about Shaq versus Sam. But Iguodala is our top defender and team leader. Hell, he's the one who bitches out his teammates when the F up. How can he lead by example when he's getting lit up?

One of my major points of optimism going into this season sans Iverson and Webber, was that i believed this team could now match up with almost any other team defensively. I thought with AI and Webber out of the lineup, we'd be able to play better man defense. It surprises the crap out of me when our "best" defender repeatedly gets burned in back-to-backs. And on several occasions this season, Iguodala has actually been our weakest link on D next to Miller when he's matched up against faster PG's. Opponents that come to mind that seem to have Iguodala's number are Hedu, Granger, LeBron, Carter, etc. Again, Iguodala is known as being one of the better defenders in this league and the fact that he's been completely negated several times this year is reason for concern in my opinion.

I don't expect Iguodala to outright stop LeBron. But I thought he'd put up a little more of a fight than what I saw last night. Hell, if you can't stop him, at least hard foul his azz and try to get into his head. A little Bruce Bowen now and then isn't such a bad idea. Anything would have been better than allowing him to toy with us the way he did.

What worried me last night was Iguodala's body language. I hate to agree with Sendem but he did look defeated. Most of the night he was hanging his head down, walking around like he'd been emasculated. Did you see him clear out of LeBron's way on the monster dunk. He and Sam were running for cover. What happened to protecting the home court and not letting someone embarrass you on your home floor? Again, I hope he's just hobbled because I know he's got more fight and competitiveness in him that what he's shown the last two games.

Again, I don't dislike Iguodala. I do think he can be this team's corner piece and I'm pleased that he's improved many of his deficiencies. I'm just surprised by his recent disappearing act. On the flip side, I'm extremely pleased with what I've seen from Lou and Thaddeus. If these two bring their "A" games against the Pistons, anything is possible. Hang in there for 3 quarters and then run the crap out of them. This was the strategy that had been working during our streak. We need to get back to it.



STChaser