| Iguodala Remains Key To Sixers' Success Authored by John McMullen - July 10, 2008 - 5:13 pm
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Since Mo Cheeks' club won 40 games last season and took the Pistons to the limit until Flip Saunders figured out that they couldn't knock down a jumper, 50 wins and a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals doesn't seem like stretch.
After all, assuming he is healthy, Brand is a stud. Since he has spent most of his career playing in basketball purgatory with that other Los Angeles team, a lot of people didn't know that the former Duke star is one of only four current NBA players that has averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds in their careers. The others being Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
To average those kind of numbers, you have to be an NBA dinosaur -- a legitimate low post threat who can play with his back to the basket, and that's what Ed Stefanski wanted for the Sixers. As athletic and impressive as Josh Smith is, he's not a back to the basket threat and that's why the 22-year-old future superstar settled into the second spot on Stefanski's list.
But, even with their new power forward on board, the re-Branded Sixers will still live and die with Andre Iguodala.
When we last saw A.I. version 2.0, Tayshaun Prince was embarrassing him with his length. The Sixers' "star" looked downright skittish on the big stage, a shrinking violet, while players like Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young and Jason Smith -- all seeing their first postseason action -- weren't nearly as nervous, jittery or tense.
Through it all Cheeks and Stefanski still deferred to Iguodala...He was the guy.
When Brand scribbled is name on an $82 million dollar deal Wednesday, that all ended. Iguodala's short reign as "Batman" in Philadelphia was mercifully over.
Most think Andre can be the perfect "Robin." An Academy Award winning supporting actor that will stuff a stat sheet and torture people defensively ala Scottie Pippen. The fact he has already failed in that role with Allen Iverson is lost on most people.
You've heard the excuses, Iverson was selfish and needed the ball in is hands too much. Well, no one is going to be making those same complaints about Brand.
So all eyes will be on Iguodala. Will he sulk and disappear for long stretches or turn into the player his athleticism says he should be.
Book 20 and 10 for Brand...
Your guess is as good as mine with Iguodala.
John is the managing editor of The Phanatic Magazine and the co-host of the highly rated 'Johns on Sports' radio show on WTBQ in New York. Every Saturday from 6-7 p.m. (et) you can hear John along with his co-host, John Gottlieb, talk to the movers and shakers in the sports world. Recent guests have included Governor Jesse Ventura, Darelle Revis of the New York Jets, ESPN's Buster Olney and ComcastSportsnet's Ron Burke. You can listen on the internet at wtbq.com or call 845-651-1110 to be part of the program. You can reach John at jmcmullen@phanaticmag.com. |
