We're Back ...
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We're Back ...
Much has changed with the 76ers since their 2009-10 season ended with a loss at the Orlando Magic. For some people, it probably hasn't been as much change as they wanted, for others it was probably the perfect amount. One thing is definite heading into the 2010-11 season: the Sixers have some exciting young players. And they'll look very different than they did during last year's disastrous season. That, we can universally agree, is a good thing.
This blog has been (mostly) dormant this summer. But that's about to change. The Sixers are only two weeks from opening training camp at St. Joe's, and about three weeks from their first preseason game. That means it's time again to start analyzing all things Sixers. It's time to try to understand what all these changes might mean for this season and for seasons to come. In short, Deep Sixer is back up and running. And if you want to follow on Twitter, click here: DeepSixer3. No more World Cup soccer, no more vacation, all Sixers.
Since we still have some vacant days between now and Sept. 28 (the first day of camp), let's take this analysis one player, one change at a time. In the days to come, we'll get to the swap in the paint: Spencer Hawes for Samuel Dalembert. We'll get to the change in coach: Doug Collins for Eddie Jordan. We'll get to all the other new pieces: Evan Turner as (starting?) shooting guard, Andres Nocioni as hustler off the bench, and Rod Thorn overshadowing Ed Stefanski.
Today, though, we have Andre Iguodala.
Last season was not good to Iguodala. As the losses mounted, so too did Iguodala's frustration. There were questions about leadership and his ability to be the go-to guy on a team. To put it bluntly, he lost a lot of fans in Philadelphia, a place where he had never been fully embraced to begin with. But this summer with Team USA, Iguodala seemed to regain his rhythm, even if it was in a complementary role. The USA team won the World Championships, which inspired this quote from ESPN's Bill Simmons:
"One of the frustrating things about this tournament: Iguodala has been a revelation as a fourth banana/swing defender/energy guy/uber-athlete, which really should have been his NBA destiny -- mega-glue guy on a great team, like a much more devastating version of Trevor Ariza on the 2008-09 Lakers -- only we don't have nearly enough quality players to fill 30 NBA teams, so instead he's forced to carry a lottery team, take terrible shots, play with inferior teammates and do everything that the basketball gods never meant for him to do. He's like Roger Sterling in "Mad Men" -- you don't want him carrying the show, but in short doses, harnessed correctly, he can be a weapon. I had given up on Iguodala as a meaningful basketball player; now I think he'll be reincarnated on a contender within the next two seasons. He's one trade away."
Okay, so we're most definitely not trying to start Iguodala trade talk right now. Let's focus on the bulk of Simmons' quote; he's saying Iguodala is effective as a complementary weapon. That sounds quite similar to what every Sixers' fan has been saying for the last two seasons. Even more important to Sixers' fans is this question: Do the Sixers even have the offensive weapons to allow Iguodala to focus on these other parts of the game? Or do they need him taking 15-20 shots a game? If you allow yourself to dream, you could envision a world where Doug Collins creates an offensive system where Jason Kapono is open for three pointers in the corner, Evan Turner is hitting pull-up jumpshots, Jrue Holiday is creating transition opportunities with his defense, and Elton Brand is effective as a block option. Within that world, Iguodala is doing exactly what he should be doing: slamming Holiday's alley-oop tosses, grabbing rebounds, running the lanes, and playing swarming on-ball defense.
So, since we have some time, let's go to the source himself: Iguodala. We talked to him this afternoon and tried to ask some of these questions. The first one was about Simmons' quote (Iguodala had not read it, sadly). I asked him if he agreed with the theory that he is best suited in a secondary role.
"Not really," Iguodala said. "If you play well in one setting peple think you need to do the exact same things in the next setting in order to succeed. But here [with Team USA] everyone had a role to fill. Only three guys played the same way they play for their NBA teams: Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Tyson Chandler. My focus was on defense. If I didn’t do my job, I would be letting down my team."
Okay, but if you look at last season, it didn't seem like you were as effective as you're capable ...
"I think Coach [Collins] is going to be able to do the job of putting me in a position to attack more, where I won’t have to exert energy on the perimeter," Iguodala said. "Last year our offense had me outside the perimeter. I shot a lot of threes, but it wasn’t my intention to do that. I’m going to attack the rim more this season."
Does he believe he's capable of being the go-to guy?
"That’s something I can do. I never shy away from a role. I talked to [Sixers] teammates throughout the summer and said like, 'You have to help me lead the team, get the ball in the open court.’ And vice versa. I have to help Jrue be a better point guard. I have to help Evan be the best rookie in the league. We have to pick each other up. I learned a lot from Team USA this summer, especially from Chauncey [Billups]. A lot of the things on the court, people don’t see. There were times at practice Chauncey would get on me for something. He'd say, 'It may not be your fault, but it's your responsibility because you’re the best defensive player out here.' I think I learned a lot how to lead from this summer."
How can he translate his success with Team USA to the Sixers?
"Every player has to have the mentality like we have to get off to that good start," Iguodala said. "I'm going to do everything I can do to make us successful. USA was great, but, mentally, I have to refocus again. It was great, it was all good, but 82 games is a lot different than 13 or 14 games."
From talking with Iguodala, it sounds like this summer has given him a new perspective on his abilities. He said he felt he was playing better than he ever has. For Sixers fans, perhaps this season will be a nice compromise: not so many three pointers (but still some), more attacking the rim, and improved leadership abilitites.
More soon ...
--Kate
good to have you back kate. Lets hope some more wins will make covering this team a little more pleasant this year!— chriszak- Welcome back Kate. You are easily the best and most poignant writer in Philadelphia. Let's see if the quality fo th sixes play can match the quality of your writing.— jsixer9
he needs to fall back. his scoring rate has to increase to be considered a 1st option. he may be the best player but his scoring efficiency is the worst.. allow the team to shine, do the dirty work during games.. work on the j AWAY FROM THE GAME. take a few to see if the work has began to translate if not let the j go.2 offensive boards 4pts 1 three ball 3pts two fast break buckets 4 points two mid posts 4points 5 free throws MADE THATS 20PTS. with only 2 PLAYS CALLED!!!— combocancer1975- Sixers basketball is back!!!!! (well, almost). He's one trade away as in a trade to bring players here or relieve cap space, not move him. Man, if Ev Turner can be the solid mid-range shooter & Jrue can continue his growth & improvement, ain't no tellin' how good we can be. That gold medal is gonna do wonders for Dre's swagger on the court. On offense, more so on defense. Watch.— XmarksTheSpot
Comment removed.- Hi Kate, welcome back. Iguodala detractors (of which there are many in Philly) conveniently ignore that he WAS the go-to guy on two playoff teams. On a team with a realistic shot at a championship, he would be ideally the #2 or #3 halfcourt scoring option but would still get a lot of touches because of his ability to create for others (we saw glimpses of this in the World Championships). And he would still be the #1 transition scoring option, where he is unquestionably top five in the NBA. @combocancer1975: Iguodala has always been an efficient scorer. His career true shooting percentage is 56%, and even in his career-worst year last year was above league average (53.5% to 52.4%). For Iguodala to improve his scoring efficiency, it's all about shot selection, and both he and Collins already have the right mindset: attack more, get to the line more, shoot fewer jumpers. It should be noted that Iguodala was already doing this at the end of last season (basically ignoring his incompetent coach at the time), shooting 58% in his last 11 games of the season with 40% of his attempts at the rim.— Statman
i'm really looking forward to this upcoming season. just a few more weeks until preseason. yes- All encouraging- one word of caution, however- a slashing/driving Iguodala will be much less of a threat if his FT % does not reach respectability. He shot 50% in the worlds. There is no reason for him not to be 75% or higher from the line, otherwise teams will foul him repetitively.— doctorj
- When I read that Simmons article I realized he summed up my feelings on Iggy better than anything I had ever read (there's a reason BS is the best in the biz, especially about hoops). I think he can be the #1 option on a below average team (this includes his two playoff runs as the scoring leader that came when the East was about as bad as it has ever been and sub .500 teams were making the playoffs - they were still a poor team they just made the whole greater than the parts with the run and gun, up-tempo style), the #2 on a good team, and a #3 option on a championship team. This makes it a little too cut and dry however since if you include his super solid defense he could actually be the second most important player on a championship team, just not someone through whom the offense is running. He does not create his own shot well (good point statman, amongst others), and your #1 and #2 offensive options have to do that to win a title. I think AIg is a very good player an I don't understand the venom that comes his way any more than the rest of the posters here but I am more optimistic and hopeful for the season than I have been in a long time. I don't think they're winning anything this year but if Evans and Jrue develop I could see them morphing into a team that is one strong center away from a contender.— Twocents
- Welcome back, Kate! Can we start the trade Iguodala talk now? I mean, honestly, do we believe that he is going to be worth more after being a top scoring option on the Sixers for a few months? Ok, for now I will take the approach that we keep him and Collins puts him in the position to be successful by removing him from being one of the top two scoring options. It's got to be that, or trade him. I am still trying to decide what has been the Sixer's best offseason move - hiring Collins, drafting Turner or trading Dalembert. I am afraid that the only "can't miss" on the list is trading Dalembert.
- DOUBLE ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ— kjgallen
- The answer to the question is he's better off as a third banana. He's an excellent, championship-worthy third banana. As a first or second banana, he's rotten.— mjb
- He's better on another team!!!!— mfecani
- A team with Iguodala as its first option cannot compete successfully in today's NBA. He is an athlete, good on the break, rebounding, man to man defense. But he has limited basketball skill [shooting, passing, set offense stuff]. Just a fact. He's number three!!— fillyfan
- Welcome back Kate; why were you not covering the Worlds for the Inky? In any event, I will be consistent about Iguodala. He is, in my opinion, a fine defensive player, good defensive rebounder, good filling the lanes, not good leading the break himself, average offensive rebounder, mediocre three-point shooter. He needs to develop a better mid-range game and could be tough posting up less athletic defenders. Statman and I have disagreed on his ballhandling and passing skills, neither of which I like when he leads the break, but he has made some fine passes in the half-court game. He is generally underrated by Sixers fans, but he is not a go-to guy in this league. Whether the Sixers have enough talent to allow him to be that fine complementary player is doubtful, unless Turner becomes the Man. That is the issue ultimately.— chuckw
- Seriously, will somebody at Philly.com get rid of Jay Grace's ability to post in comment sections. WTF is the point of putting z's on every damn chat session. Get a life dude.— Bleue
- Kate Fagan...over the past few years, the only reason to follow the Sixers. Welcome back and have a(nother) good year.— bobcitydoc
- Iguodala is a $40 mil player making double that. At the Worlds he showed once again he fails as the games get bigger, just as he does in the 4th quarter and in the playoffs. He played his way out of Coack K's starting lineup in 2 games. Until his deal expires the Sixers will go nowhere.— JonKap
- Comment removed.
- Turner will give them scoring that will allow Iggy to get out on the wing. This is what he needs.— hugh
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- This is like the no-brainer question of the year. He could be one of the best sidekicks ever, but the Philadelphia Cheapies seem him as the #1 guy. Kate, in order to give your stories more of a flare, how about you pick a stance. For instance, "Igoudala better as a sidekick"— phillyking22
- HERES WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE FROM THE 6ERS..IGGY HAD A GOOD RUN WITH THE U.S.A. TEAM.THIS TEAM COULD RUN SHOOT ,AND PLAYED TEAM BALL.THE 6ERS, DON'T HAVE WHAT THE NATIONAL TEAM HAD,SO DOUG WILL HAVE TO MAKE THEM BELIEVE IN HIS PROGRAM.I STILL FEEL THAT THIS TEAM'S BEST CHANCE TO BE SUCESSFUL THIS YEAR WILL BE THE BIGS.THEY MUST GET BETTER THERE
AND GET EVERYONE THINKING OF WINNING.IGGY WILL BE FINE,HOPEFULLY,HE'LL BRING SOME OF THAT GOLD WINNING AND SOME LEADERSHIP TO THESE GUYS.— t_darb_56 - Just read some rumor stuff on CBS regarding the Sixers as potential players in a three-way trade that includes Carmelo Anthony and Iguodala, among others. One scenario had Anthony going to the Nets, Iguodala going to Denver, and the Sixers getting 2010 #3 pick Derrick Favors. Other names were mentioned as well, including Kapono, Greene, Young, and even Turner. Ahh, the mysteries of the rumor mill.— MrPhillie
- Welcome back Kate. AI proved at the Worlds that he is a championship level player. JonKap, what were you watching or reading. AI9 was a main weapon by shutting down the other teams' #1 scoring option. If he didn't play much in the 4th quarter, it was because they were safely ahead. If he were on any of he four NBA final teams this past season, he would have been either the third or fourth highest paid player on all of them. His only shortcomings are he doesn't shoot jumpers well off the dribble and his FT shooting is subpar. He doesn't average 20+ points because he doesn't take enough shots. Hopefully DC will use him properly this year.— Duracorr
- First of all there is only one AI, so stop calling him that it's so disrespectful to the real thing. Second he sounds likehe really thinks he should be the man and thats scary he's a decnt third banana nothing more nothing less— bgwille
- coach "k" showed the way (how to best use ai's skills)...if "dc" can go to school on this, it may go a long way in the rebuilding process— kgd
- we dont need iguodala to score or even try to score. he can. but not as a 1st option.. if he mid posted EVERYTIME i would give him the ball EVERYTIME but its the unknown with him when game is hanging in the balance the dribble off of the foot late in the 4th.. the HIGH HEAT FROM 2FT pass out if bounds late in the fourth the missed freethrows late in the 4th. you dont know you are going to get when you GIVE him the ball but if he has to WORK to get it then he will know exactly what to do with it. let him get it the way thad does. iguodala and thad for melo..DO IT!!!!!! ADD A PICK!! MAKE DENVER DO IT!!!! the questions at the3,spot. solved. sp8ts and melo..??!! man. THE EASIEST 45 POINTS AND 20 REBS probably EVER!! Smith stretching the floor at the 5.leaving the lane open for holiday and turner, lou , willie DO THAT!!! PLEEEASE!!— combocancer1975
- I GOT MY SEASON TIX!!!!!!!!!!— KillerPotato
- Great stuff Kate, and let me say I have always liked the play of Andre he comes to play. My only wish is that he would stay with what makes him consistant. Him learning alot from Chuancey tells me we still need a proven vet on this team in the starting rotation. This is another reason the Brand signing upsets me this guy can't lead a thirsty person to water in his own house.— rayzoe
- Iggy is just a modern day Scottie pippen. Great defender great at attacking the basket. No he is not a #1 option and solid 2 or maybe three depending on the team. In Philly he is a good #2. He does a lot of thing well but not great. But I blame bad coaching moving him to the SG position when he is better suited playing the SF. Trade Brand now I m still wondering why we didnt get Josh Smith? What idiot thought brand would be a better fit on a transition type offense. They wasted millions on a player coming off a injury. Its sound like they been talk with eagles management when signing injuried players to money deals. Our only hope is the Phillies. Man just think players we could have drafted Paul Peirce , Penny hardaway but no we get larry hughes and shawn bradley. Get it together home team.— monty00_7
- Welcome back Kate. Ever since Iverson left the team, Iguodala has been absolutely obsessed with the idea of being "the leader" on the team. He goes around and talks to his teammmates about how they can help him lead the team; how he can be the leader, blah blah blah. This is why he couldnt or wouldnt work well with Elton Brand on the court - fear that someone else might want to be identified as "the top guy." He hasn't shown that he's smart enough to figure out that the way to go about being a leader is by doing the little things right and giving appropriate tips to your teammates (like Chauncey Billups did for him on Team USA), and not by blathering on and on about "being the leader." What he said in your interview with him sets an inauspicious tone for the coming season.— yoyo_philly
- The Sixers, now who are they. I have never heard of them.— Drew777
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
