Posted: Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:17 PM | 36 comments |
 
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Doug Collins can sleep now.

The 76ers coach admitted on Thursday that he woke up that morning a 4, worried about whether one of his players would make the All-Star game, which is scheduled for Feb. 26 in Orlando.

The reserves for the Eastern and Western Conferences were announced tonight on TNT and Sixers forward Andre Iguodala was added to the roster.

It is the first All-Star appearance for Iguodala, now in his eighth season in the league and with the Sixers. He admitted that he thought he could have made the team “maybe twice, definitely one other time.”

This season Iguodala is averaging 13 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.8 steals. Though this is the fourth-straight season in which his scoring has declined, Iguodala is one of the main cogs in Collins’ offensive system that preaches ball sharing. The 6-7 Arizona product also has been dubbed by Collins as a first-team, all-league defender.

He becomes the first Sixer other than Allen Iverson to make an All-Star Game since Dikembe Mutombo in 2002. The reserves were voted on by head coaches in each conference, who each picked seven players (two forwards, two guards, a center and two ‘wildcard’ players from any position) not from their own team.

Iguodala said at the Sixers’ practice this morning at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine that it would be nice to make the All-Star team, but that it wouldn’t devastate him if he didn’t. He said he wasn't even planning on watching the announcements on TNT.

“I’m going to be at Bible study with Jodie (Meeks),” he said. Asked if he was going to watch the announcement on television, Iguodala said: “Probably not. I got a lot of stuff to do, I’ve got a lot of errands to run, so I’ll be running around. And then I’ve got to pack for the week (road trip).

“I think it would be a good experience but it won’t be a heart breaker or like a bomb got dropped on me. Hopefully there will be good news, but there won’t be any bad news.”

However, after the selection, his appreciation was clear.

"The phone is blowing up... Thanks to for the love... Truly a blessing," he tweeted.

Sixers executive released statements to congratulate Iguodala:

"On behalf of the entire Philadelphia 76ers organization, I want to congratulate Andre Iguodala on being named a member of the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star team," said Managing Owner Josh Harris. "My first season here has already provided a number of highlights on and off the court, but Andre receiving this honor for the first time is among the best. We are excited and proud that Andre will be representing our team, our fans and the city of Philadelphia during All-Star weekend."

“Andre has proven time and time again that he is one of the NBA’s elite players and premier defenders,” said CEO and Co-Owner Adam Aron. “He has been an integral part of our team’s success this season. Andre Iguodala has displayed the passion, intensity and pride that is representative of our team and our city. We want to congratulate Andre on this great honor.”

"I feel great that Andre has been recognized by the Eastern Conference head coaches as one of the top players in the league," said Sixers President of Basketball Operations Rod Thorn. "He is certainly one of the best all-around players in the NBA and very deserving of this honor."

"I could not be more proud of Andre Iguodala for being recognized as an All-Star," said Head Coach Doug Collins. "Andre has meant so much to the success of our team this season and he is one of the most talented, unselfish players I have ever had the opportunity to coach - the entire 76ers organization, our coaching staff, his teammates and I are thrilled he will be representing us in this year's All-Star game."

The remainder of the East reserves: Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Luol Deng (Chicago Bulls), Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers), Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets). Deng, Hibbert and Iguodala are first-time All-Stars, while Williams earns his third trip, Johnson his sixth, and Bosh his seventh.

Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki, whose 11 selections are consecutive, is joined on the West team by reserves LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers), Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder). For Aldridge and Gasol, this marks their first All-Star selection. It’s the second All-Star selection for both Love and Westbrook, while Parker goes for the fourth time, and Nash, at 38 the oldest player in this year’s game, is an All-Star for the eighth time.

Starters were previously voted on by the fans.

Selected to start in the East were Derrick Rose (Bulls), LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (Heat), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), and Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic). Voted to start for the West were Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers), Blake Griffin and Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), and Kevin Durant (Thunder).

Posted by Bob Cooney @ 7:17 PM  Permalink | 36 comments
36
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:25 PM, 02/09/2012
    Congrats to Andre Iguodala...he's taken alot of criticism here the last few years, but he is a big part of what this team is about, and so much of it is really good stuff...He got jobbed in the Slam Dunk contest years back, hope he has a few real good ones left in the game
    bearsfriend
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:39 PM, 02/09/2012
    he probably deserved it more in the past -- he's certainly not a guy you want to see with the ball in his hands (particularly at the line) at the end of a close game but someone should represent the team for their team achievement this year ... and Rod Thorn recognizes in his recent S.I. interview that Sixers need to acquire a genuine All-Star if they are to take the next step...better an overachieving hard-working team than the other 3 under-achieving Philly teams
    warbiscuit
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:54 PM, 02/09/2012
    Is there any story you do not spin into your negative regurgitation? Man you must have one miserable exsistance.
    DogBiscuitthedope
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:02 PM, 02/09/2012
    Congrats to Iggy. A solid resume this year representative of a winning team playing "team" basketball. We all know his limitations but he has adapted to and embraced what DC is doing here and that leadership is key to the development of the program.
    Northcountry
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:04 PM, 02/09/2012
    I love the fact that he goes to bible study.
    Fritz and Alice
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:27 PM, 02/09/2012
    and tebow gets all the credit for being religious, guess he isn't the only athlete who believes in god
    popoff
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:07 PM, 02/09/2012
    A good guy who plays hard unselfish basketball, congratulations and well deserved Andre!
    JBP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:07 PM, 02/09/2012
    Now is the time to trade him
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:09 PM, 02/09/2012
    I'm very happy for Iguodala. Hell, someone deserved to go; we're doing too good this year to be over-looked.
    deasytrent
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:12 PM, 02/09/2012
    woodster: i agree wholeheartedly!!
    fillyfan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:14 PM, 02/09/2012
    Bible study...while a married Kobe rapes young female hotel workers. Why are rapists given the royal treatment from the NBA and refs, while good guys like Iguadala and Brand get punked? I'm thinking it all comes down to money but if that's not the answer, you figure it out, I give up.
    sedale
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:15 PM, 02/09/2012
    i love how the magic owner is ignorant about trading dwight. opens up possibilities for the sixers getting him if they will finish out the season strong. iguodala could be a key piece in getting dwight interested in coming to philly. i dont expect the sixers to resign brand, if they do it will be for much less money. nocioni will free up an additional 6 mil giving them enough space to sign anyone
    HDemetriou
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:16 PM, 02/09/2012
    Yes. Let's trade the best defensive player on the roster. The one guy on the team who is capable of slowing down LeBron and stopping most other SFs in the league.
    ESFjellin
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:29 PM, 02/09/2012
    agreed a trade is stupid we just need to re-structure his contract
    popoff


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About Bob Cooney
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.

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