Andre Iguodala's Health Key to Bounce-Back Season for Philadelphia 76ers

Andre Iguodala has had the good fortune of being healthy for nearly all of his NBA career.

He has played in all 82 games six times in his eight seasons, and the only times he missed action was a six-game sideline in 2006-7 and 15 game injury in 2010-11, his most significant time missed to date.

He has also started every NBA game in which he's played.

A modern NBA iron-man to say the least and a very valuable player to his team.

He will need that good luck on his side once again as the Sixers are off to their best start in 10 years, going 13-6 so far in 2011-12.

They have been winning with youth and defense, with seven of their victories coming by 20 or more points and by being excellent in transition.

With young legs in a compacted season, it certainly gives them an edge.

They have also been great in terms of points allowed, currently second in the NBA in that category (85 points per game.)

This coming from a franchise which has been mediocre for the better part of the last decade, its apex in 2001 when they went to the Finals and had the NBA MVP (Allen Iverson), NBA Coach of the Year (Larry Brown), Defensive Player of the Year (Dikembe Mutumbo) and Sixth Man of the Year (Aaron McKie) on their side.

The 2011-12 is a different bunch comprised of older veterans (Brand and Iguodala) and a core of young players (Holiday, Young, Turner, Hawes and Meeks). They are fun to watch and play as a team.

Iggy has played a huge role in the team's hot start this season, racking up two steals per game and filling up the stat sheet, though he has weaker offensive statistics this season.

All is well and dandy when you consider the Sixers spread the ball and do not have to rely on one main player to produce points.

A different formula for success that is working in Philly.

Iggy has always separated himself from the rest of the pack for his stellar D and the 2011-12 Sixers campaign makes a much more convincing argument as to why hes valuable to the club.

His presence on the court alone, changes the game. Teams may alter their plays as Iggy creates havoc and mismatches for opposing offensive players when he is on his A game.

He also has tremendous stamina so he can play big minutes down the stretch.

If the Sixers want to continue to grab headlines and maybe win a round in the playoffs this season, the key will be Iguodala's health.

They will need their $80 million dollar man to keep playing well this season.