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| Come and get me. |
Andre Iguodala, probably the best dunker to never have won the Slam Dunk contest, is rumored to be on the trading block.
And while Rod Thorn insists that the Philadelphia 76ers isn’t looking to part ways with the versatile swingman, there are reasons for them to have Iggy shipped out of the City of Brotherly Love
And such reasons are highlighted by his purse-aching contract. ‘Nuff said.
But if Iguodala does leave, he ain’t the first A.I. to do so. The difference with A.I. II is that he is entitled to a graceful exit. He didn’t get into squabbles with his coaches, or complained about practice, or stayed up late partying all night. So I guess he deserves to walk away with loads of cash that hopefully he’ll spend wisely, and end up on a team that can make a deep playoff run.
And though the 76ers will definitely miss his contributions, they might actually be better off without him. Because while Iggy is good for your team, building a franchise around him isn't.
Don’t get me wrong. Iguodala, for all his quickness and athleticism, could be an All-Star, and might actually be one someday, but I don’t see that happening with the 76ers. Because even if Iggy can cause problems for opposing teams on both ends of the court, he’s just not cut out to be a franchise player.
You don’t want to use Iguodala the same way Mike Woodson uses Joe Johnson. You don’t ask Iggy to handle the ball for most part of the game and set up plays. You don’t ask him to dominate or make game winners in the same fashion Lebron James, Kobe Bryant or Carmelo Anthony does. By doing so, you’re asking too much from him.
Since Allen Iverson left town back in December of 2006, only to return in November of 2009, then leave for good in February of 2010, Iggy had the 76ers all to himself. And the best he could come up with was a 41-41 win-loss record and a pair of first round playoff exits.
For all his talents, Iguodala still needed a superstar he could compliment. A superstar he could defer to. For all the first banana money he’s receiving, A.I. II is just a second banana after all. A darn good one, but still, a second banana.
If the 76ers want to return to playoff form, they’d be wise to start rebuilding without Iggy and spend their money elsewhere. So which teams could use Iggy’s services? Read on.
According to The Morning Journal, the Cavs seem to be the team showing the most interest in Iguodala. And they can’t go wrong with him. Iggy can do all the things Lebron used to do for the Cavs, only on a lighter scale – score, rebound, defend and dish dimes.
Of course, Dan Gilbert and Byron Scott should be reminded that you don’t build the franchise around Iguodala. But he’s a quick fix to the void that James left. In their thirteen losses, the Cavs have lost by an average of 15.5 points. Iguodala averages 14 ppg and dishes 5.4 apg. Do the math.
Iggy will definitely flourish in Scott’s run-and-gun system. Imagine him streaking down court, receiving that outlet pass from either Mo Williams or Daniel Gibson for that thunderous slam. And while adding him in the lineup doesn’t make them contenders, Iggy in Cleveland
LA Clippers
The Clips may have found a reason to smile about in Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon but they still need another piece to make their team significant in the ever competitive Western Conference. And A.I. II can be that piece.
Aside from giving the Clips a third option on offense, Iguodala can also help contribute on the defensive end where the Clippers suck. Iggy will make the other team’s perimeter guy work for his shots.
When you’re team is ranked 27th out of 30 teams in terms of offensive rating, you know scoring will give you migraines. And while Brook Lopez and Devin Harris are trying their best to provide you with a remedy, they need help.
And no, Anthony Morrow is not enough. But if Iguodola ends up in New Jersey
In addition, he also has a decent outside shot that can force defenses to unclog the paint and give more room for Lopez to work with.
Okay, so the Hornets are having problems right now. But someone will eventually buy this troubled franchise. Someone has to.
And once that someone purchases this franchise, it won’t be a bad idea to invest on Iggy while there’s still some money to go around.
Because while the Hornets are doing well right now, they can get better if you get Chris Paul an athletic forward. Jason Kidd had Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin when he led the New Jersey Nets to a back-to-back Finals appearance. And Steve Nash had Shawn Marion and Amar’e Stoudemire when the Phoenix Suns were considered as favorites in the Western Conference.
Iggy in NO makes the Hornets a more dangerous team in transition. By the way, he also crashes the boards. But above all, he can make the Hornets entertaining. Those flashy dunks should somehow lure people to Hornets games. Ka-ching!
Here’s the deal. I’m not really familiar with all the policies and guidelines surrounding this trade-mumbo-jumbo, and I’m not much of a mathematician either. But Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis have to go.
Though VC is still productive, there’s just no point in keeping a 33-year old who is already at the tail end of his career. And Lewis is just not the same guy he was back in 2009
And here’s Iguodala. A 26-year old, do-it-all forward who is yet to peak, and still has a lot left in the tank. And though his massive contract can intimidate any team to trade for him, I have a feeling Carter’s and Lewis’ contracts make for a feasible deal.
Furthermore, with Carter and Lewis out of the picture, J.J. Redick, Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson will have more room to grow and develop. It can also prevent Stan van Gundy from playing a small forward at the four.
Philly also benefits from this because they get two tested veterans, who also happen to be former All-Stars, in return. Besides, Evan Turner can pick up a thing or two from VC and RL.
However, for this move to pay off, Iggy must learn to assert himself into van Gundy’s system while Redick, Bass and Anderson must transform into consistent contributors. And if that happens, and there’s a good chance it will, the Magic can take another crack at the Larry’O Brien trophy.
Make it happen Otis Smith!
Uhm…is this enough justification?
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