Sixers Andre Iguodala named to All-Star team
Sixers forward Andre Iguodala was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team tonight.
Sixers Andre Iguodala named to All-Star team
Bob Cooney
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).
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- 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
Comment removed.- 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
- I love the fact that he goes to bible study.— Fritz and Alice
- and tebow gets all the credit for being religious, guess he isn't the only athlete who believes in god — popoff
- A good guy who plays hard unselfish basketball, congratulations and well deserved Andre!— JBP
Now is the time to trade him- I'm very happy for Iguodala. Hell, someone deserved to go; we're doing too good this year to be over-looked.— deasytrent
- woodster: i agree wholeheartedly!!— fillyfan
- 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
- 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
- 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
- agreed a trade is stupid we just need to re-structure his contract — popoff
- Congrats Andre!!!!— reveugene
- Yes, hurry and trade him...don't these posters realize that we get no love from the refs because we have no "stars"? Getting into an All-Star game brings with it recognition, which brings fans to seats, which sells jerseys, which ultimately leads to getting better treatment from refs and so the circle perpetuates the illusion. Now that Iguadala is a "Made" guy if you will, maybe the refs will begin to give him some love...and he'll get the space cushion that other "stars" are afforded by the refs and players which should improve his overall game. He just needs to improve his foul shooting...they don't have to be rainbows!!— sedale
- CONGRATS IGGY--Dont the coaches know your overpaid :))))-best of luck-
you deserve the honor.Your gold Medal and this can never be taken from you---Now go out and score 30 tomorrow........
Looks like Dougs way was the correct way for you.................
— HO HUM - Congrats Iggy! You are the BEST! Go for you and Jodie going to Bible study too. We need more athletes to acknowledge our CREATOR!— dudega
- That boy good. Give yourself a pat on the back AI.— DKMWOOD
- Andre 1st I want to congradulate you on your being selected as a NBA allstar. Your awesome defense alone should have gotten you there. Your balanced stats every night show what a truly unselfish player you really are. In this selflish world today it is great to see your talents shine threw. The lord is blessing you!Great to here you go to a bible study witrh Jody. That is so refreshing to here as well. Keep up the great work and spirtual effort! Dallas Texas— ALO
- congrats Iggy! Went to my first game in years last night and the biggest thing that jumped out was how much more Andre's skill, smarts, and quickness are apparent in person than on TV. If he could ever learn to shoot!!!! Imagine! At this point it likely won't happen ...but he'd be a dominant player if his shooting touch was better. Some athletic vets have improved their shot as they reached 30 and started slowing down. Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Stackhouse, Jason Terry all come to mind as examples. HMMMM....who is the shooting coach in Dallas? We need that guy here!— murdock101
- sedale, I don't want Iggy getting recognition from the refs because that will send him to the line more where he will miss more free throws. let's trade him while he has some respect!— CBent1
- in my steven a voice some of yall comments on here are SOOO DISRESPECTFUL! great job dre well deserved bout time. imo if you didnt play for a low iq basketball city you should have been a 3 to 4 time all star. way to stay a professional and being a hard working all star that gives a 100 when the city is always against you. WAY TO GO DRE.— sixerfanx25
- Comment removed.
- ESFjellin I don't think Iggy has "slowed down" LeBron in either of the 2 games so far. He sure as heck didn't slow down Parker. Yes the sixers are playing good but I would never consider him an All Star. I see him throw up too many bad shots with plenty of time to pass the ball around and miss too many game ending shots. I think it just shows you the team has a long way to go before hanging with the Elite...a long way. Don't expect a championship any time in the next 10 years.— mbutley
- mbutley you are very correct, people brag about Iggy's defense but I haven't seen it. LeBron had his way with us both times and Carmelo was above his season average in points the day Iggy supposedly shut him down— CBent1
- Congrats Andre!......well deserved. Glad to see that your defensive efforts and unselfish play is being recognized!— dave13
- PS...What about Loooooooooou? I would much rather have him off the bench than Pierce this year. Not even as a homer, just being real!— miahjer
- Congrats Iggy. Keep up the hard work and constant effort.
— GigantiSP - Big fat congrats to Andre Iguodala! He's the best player on one of the top teams in the East, so he deserves it, but it is as much a testament to the coach and his teammates. They deserve to have a Sixer representing them as an All-Star too.— incog69
- Congrats to Iggy. Glad to see the league recognize someone who doesn't jack 30 shots a game and actually plays basketball. Now people in Philly need to stop listening to radio hosts and watch and judge the Sixers on their merit. Numbers do not lie people.— bpositiv
- Iggy, while you're at bible study, please pray for some common sense in your foul shooting. You're not supposed to aim for the friggin rafters. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line...think about that for a second.— superbig
- Winning has been great: it's brought with it all-star accolades for Andre but it's also brought a bunch of half-witted comments about how they should deal their newly minted all-star and thereby undermine the team's NBA-leading defense and/or how Iggy should go out and score 30 points next game and thereby disrupt the wonderfully balanced offense that's bene crucial to the team's success. Argh.— Leegles
- CBent1: guess you didn't see what Iggy did when he was assigned to Kobe in the second half (4 points) or what he's done to fellow all-star Joe Johnson twice.
— Leegles - """Iggy should go out and score 30 points next game and thereby disrupt the wonderfully balanced offense that's bene crucial to the team's success. Argh.
— Leegles.........................""""
Directed at me for sure----the 30 is to show the haters-that he can do that-AND its likely-that it would disrupt the sixers balance--thereby showing that scoring is not the only part of the game.Of course you could have CARMELO with 12 for 32 nightly and the corresponding record---
— HO HUM
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.
