Sources: Iguodala a no-show at meeting with team officials
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Sources: Iguodala a no-show at meeting with team officials
Bob Cooney
Andre Iguodala did not show up for his exit meeting with Sixers officials today, multiple sources have told the Daily News.
Iguodala was the only player who did not have an individual meeting with coach Doug Collins, team president Rod Thorn and general manager Ed Stefanski a day after the Sixers were eliminated from the playoffs in five games by the Miami Heat.
Iguodala was at the team’s practice site at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for a team meeting and also to talk to reporters.
Players met with Collins at 11:30 a.m. After Collins met with reporters, players were made available to the media and were rotating to the second floor of the facility for their exit meetings.
In his meeting with reporters, Iguodala was asked about his comments made after Wednesday night’s game about his future with the team.
“I never said I didn’t want to be here,” Iguodala said today. “Like I said, I just want to compete for titles. We made a lot of strides this year. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Last night, Iguodala responded to a question about whether he expected to be back with the Sixers by saying, “I expect to be back in the NBA. It’s always been a dream of mine to play ball. This has been a great ride so far, not just with the Sixers, but playing basketball in general. So I’m really looking forward to getting some rest this summer, letting my body recuperate and get back to 100 percent.”
Iguodala battled a myriad of injuries this season, coping with a sprained wrist, a sore Achilles’ and tendinitis in his right knee. Wednesday night, he had the most spring he’s had in a while, erupting for 22 points and 10 rebounds and a few impressive dunks, something his sore knee hadn’t allowed him to do recently.
In a followup question about the Sixers, Iguodala said, “I think it’s something that I always dreamed about — playing in the league. Once I got here I always wanted to be in one place, not having to move around a lot, being comfortable in one spot. I still feel the same way. Being able to put a stamp on my career and in the Sixers’ record books. I always think about that, keep climbing the charts with some of the greatest basketball players ever. Doctor J, Maurice Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Hal Greer, Wilt Chamberlain. Just for my name to be brought up as one of the guys with the most steals in team history is something I’ve always thought about.”
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I HONESTLY HOPE NOT!— Anguilla Al- Andre has always been delusional. That he is a star, that he is tradeable. No GM in the world would touch that contract unless the Sixers took back an even worse one, which would be a lateral move. — JonKap
Comment removed.- He was hanging out with Michael Leighton— JSaq
- You cannot force someone to be here! If he wants to go, then we should let him. There are a lot of talented players out there in that salary range who are more consistent and would probably be a better fit for the team!— BigE
- And why on earth would anyone trade you them for a guy who fades in the 4th and thinks he is a superstar when he is a third option on a good team? What GM wants that problem? — JonKap
- Explanation for AI's absence today: 22 points.— jjenkins
- God please grant my wish that Iggy goes...and takes Meeks, Hawes, Williams with him....everyone but Young, true and turner....— mbutley
- AI the 1st to AI the 2nd, "Practice my man, practice"— Romus
- MBUTLEY - Please enlighten us with some more of your absolutely brilliant observations. NOT! Get rid of Hawes, Meeks AND Williams? Is that what you just said? Should we also get rid of Carter, Richards, Boucher, Laviolete, JVR and Ville Leino too? U Knuccklehead!— 5NOT4
- So it's his dream to play in the NBA, not move around a lot, and to be ranked with the best in steals in team history. I would think his dream would be to win a championship in the NBA. According to him, he's already reached his dream potential. He has nothing left to play for. Oh! I forgot...most steals in team history. Do that some place else Andrea Igu(80million)dala.— dds124
- His name should be pronounced Ick Wad Yella. He's always been overrated and overpaid. And yet he appears to be ungrateful. Who cares if he leaves? In fact who cares about the Sixers, or even the NBA?— baabyrrej
- Waiting for the release of the movie 'Andre Iguodala-A Legend In His Own Mind'.— billro33
- Wow, a whole myriad of ignorant, misinformed comments. I'm shocked to see that the philly "fan" base would produce this garbage.— laidintheshade
- For Iggys sake-i hope he leaves and lands in a good place.— 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.
