Positive reviews continue for Iguodala
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Positive reviews continue for Iguodala
Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski and Sixers coach Doug Collins have already raved about the way Andre Iguodala played during last week's minicamp in Las Vegas as USA Basketball prepares to choose the team for the World Championships next month in Turkey.
Now, Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of USA Basketball, has weighed in as well.
"He's an incredible defender," Colangelo told the Arizona Daily Star. (Iguodala was a star at Arizona before being drafted by the Sixers.) "Andre can really guard anyone on the court. And if we're going to become the kind of team we might become, which is small, we want to pressure - and defense is going to be a real important part of it. So he brings a lot to the table. He may be the most athletic guy that we have."
Colangelo also pointed out how a successful run at the Worlds, assuming Iguodala makes the team, could benefit him when he rejoins the Sixers.
"We told the players that if you buy in and do what your asked to do, you'll win," Colangelo said. "It's not just winning - it's how we win and you're going to be better for it. I would say they're better people after the experience. They bring a different culture back to their franchises, so the franchises benefited as does the NBA ultimately."
Iguodala also was asked about playing in Philadelphia, with the high expectations that come with his big contract.
"It's a tough town," Iguodala said. "They're really passionate. But that's something you've gotta be prepared for. Philly's kind of like an acquired taste. You've got to adjust to it; it won't adjust to you. I think that's helped me out.
"You're always going to have doubters wherever you are. You've just got to work hard to prove them wrong."
atta boy!— 76ers- the acquired taste line is my favorite. but with team USA andre can just defend which is his best asset anyway.— sasquatches
Comment removed.- I really hope this ups his trade value and they get rid of him, unbearable to watch his game.— allrightknight
- Jay Grace and allrightknight - you two fools are stupid! Dre getting this experience is invaluable to the Sixers organization. I can see him really doing great things under Collins a real coach! Why do you trade your best player because the GM made a bonehead move and signed Elton the stiff Brand. That's the person that needs to go but nobody wants his bloated contract.— afrazier31
- Andre should seek out Eddie Jones and hope he can learn a thing or two. I'm sure Aaron can hook that up. Not dead set against his being on the Sixers if he starts to understand where he's skilled and where he's not -- but I'd love to have Kaman if there's a trade there.— AnEaglesSixersFlyersPhilliesPSUBig5FanGrowsInBrooklyn
- We dont need to get rid of him...need i say anymore you wont get equal value for him an he is to good to trade not at this age not now he is comming into his prime right now great to see him doing well for us he will make the team an start just you wait an see glad to see him loving basketball again after wacth the end of last season the coach an losing killed his spirt thsi is going to be great for the upcomming season he's putting deffesnse first which is where coach collins wants to start I predict him to be on his way to a break out season this year well worth the contract!!!— styleswahington
- notice the lack of talk about his shooting— bgwille
- These people don't know spit about basketball...Iggy is a SF who can sometimes play SG but the sixers had him playing SG all year...he doesn't look good at SG because he doesn't have the 3pt shot or the dribble for it...he's not a SG!!! DUH!— ite483
- I-G-U-O-D-A-L-A. For Pete's sake, guys - he's been playing here for 6 years. Might want to program the CORRECT spelling of his name into your spellchecker.— JLB
- He can't make a midrange jumper. His contract is ridiculous for a "defensive stopper/tweener-slasher".— jatucker
- He did a nice job summing up the Philly fan culture.— lefty1117
damn they DID just spell his name wrong.. good call JLB- Is he the USA's three-point guy?— Romus
- StylesWashington... Equal value is getting his ridiculous max contract off the books. We dont need another small forward unless you are wanting to trade Thadeous who i believe is a more well rounded player and fits much better at the 3 then at the 4. Andre thinks he is a superstar when he is really a 3rd guy on a good team at best. He has no handles and a horrible outside shot. Basically he can jump and dunk and he has slightly above average defense. How is that worth 85 million? We need to turn the team over to Jru and Evan and Thadeous. That is our core. Andre has no future here.— Dparente
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.
