NBA Trade Rumors: 10 Reasons Why Teams Should Target Iguodala, Not Carmelo
The Carmelo Anthony trade talks have heated up almost 99.9 percent of the NBA and the community inside and outside of B/R. He is the hottest topic as of right now and should definitely be looked for as an option to your team.
Luckily, there are some other names stirring around the rumor mill that include such players like Steve Nash, O.J. Mayo, and Johnny Flynn. Another name has also been constantly coming up and his name is Andre Iguodala.
Iguodala has been struggling in the past few years in Philadelphia and it seems as if he needs a new home to rebuild his reputation as the explosive player he was once known as.
Iguodala is without a doubt a top SG/SF in the league and should not be passed. He's got great attributes towards him that still make him a great player.
In this article, you will read as to why AI2 is still a great asset for your team.
Please Enjoy!
Durability
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When Iguodala was drafted, he was immediately put into the starting lineup to play along with Allen Iverson. During the regular season, he was the only player to play and start in all 82 games. He continued this streak for another season but saw his third season limited to 76 games, which is still a lot.
For the next three seasons, Iguodala would continue to stay healthy and he played and started in all 82 games during those three seasons.
These are notes that every GM or head coach would want to see in a star player such as Iguodala. He would bring his passion and flair every game of the season and not be sitting on the bench wearing a sports coat for a majority of time.
Iggy is currently injured, but rest assured, he will be back and probably will stay in the lineup of whichever team for a good two or three seasons.
Consistency
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Iguodala has been a consistent player who has never hit under 40 percent in his career. He is currently having a career low 43 percent from the field, but with new scenery around him and some different teammates, Iggy would definitely be sparked and excited and possibly bring his FG percentage up by about six or seven percent.
He has generally hit 46 percent in his career, but the reason for that is mainly because he was the go-to guy in Philly after Iverson was traded away and had to take most clutch shots, which do not generally go in.
He is an okay shooter who makes good decisions when it comes to shooting from both long and mid range.
Hands
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Iguodala's hands are the reason he can be a great player both offensively and defensively.
He catches the ball with no trouble, passes the ball accurately and can grab steals when they matter the most.
He is currently averaging 1.3 steals per game and has a career steal average of 1.8 per game.
On top of that, he also averages a consistent 5.5 assists per game which is a stat that has gone up almost every season he has played in the NBA.
He would be the player on the team that can use his hands to record a steal then throw a long pass to a teammate who is on the fastbreak and get two points off of the turnover, which was generated by Iguodala.
Scoring Ability
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Iguodala has always been a guy who can produce points from almost anywhere on the court. He can make mid-close range jump shots occasionally. He is a great above and below the rim player and he can make the long three on some occasions.
He has the ability to get passed defenders, which makes him a player that is hard to stop. He makes good use of his ability to get passed defenders and gets easy layups.
His only flaw is his jumpshot, which can be easily helped about, but other than that, Iggy would bring in a variety of ways to get those helpful two points.
Athleticism
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Andre Iguodala is without a doubt a very athletic player.
He can cope with either a slow or fast paced offense, he makes quick and his on-the-fly decisions are good ones.
He has the body of an athletic player; the strength, the size, the speed and, most of all, the stamina to be considered such an athletic player.
Let us also not forget about how much of an explosive player he can be at times.
Athleticism is why Iguodala should be considered for a team, especially since it is Iggy's strongest point of his game.
He Comes in Cheaper
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Carmelo comes into the season with an expiring contract of about $17 million.
Iguodala on the other hand, comes in with a $12 million contract with four years remaining, which basically means he would stay with the team for those four years and play some hard basketball to get his reputation up.
$5 million is a big sum of money, especially when it comes to the NBA because that five million could get you an extra player in a position that is needed.
Iggy is obviously the better choice here if the team needs some cap space.
He Would Draw in a Crowd
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Iguodala has always been an explosive player. Many NBA fans already know this about Iggy and it could lead to some more people coming to home games to watch Iguodala doing some of his electrifying dunks.
He has a winning mentality and could help some players on the team get back into the game if the team is losing.
He's a fan favorite in Philadelphia and without a doubt would become a fan favorite in any city.
He's Still Young
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Drafted ninth overall in the 2004 NBA Draft, Iguodala has only been in the league for six seasons.
As it looks to be, Iguodala probably has the potential to stay a caliber player for a good six or seven years in the league.
Although he may never return to his former 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists form, unless he gets a jolt of excitement from playing in a new city, Iguodala still has the ability to produce for years to come, which is a plus side to his game.
A good six or seven seasons on a playoff contending team may be what Iguodala needs to return to his former self again.
He Does Not Have Many Downsides for a Player
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With Andre Iguodala, a team would get someone who is almost complete in every essential way.
He's athletic, does not sustain a lot of injuries, he is explosive and, the main point is, he is a great all-around player when you really look at it.
His only drawbacks are the fact that his jumpshot at most times is unpredictable and inconsistent. Other than that, his only other downside are free throws. He is shooting a dreadful 66 percent from the charity stripe, a stat that has been around 75 percent in previous seasons.
The 76ers Want Iggy Out to Make Develepmont Room for Evan Turner
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When Evan Turner was taken with the second overall pick, many Philly fans thought that Turner would be the next big thing since Allen Iverson and of course, Andre Iguodala.
Unfortunately, with Turner playing off the bench, his draft selection is not really paying dividends for the team and for Turner himself.
It seems as if whenever Iguodala is not in the starting lineup, which has been for the past six games only, Turner has been doing a pretty decent job with the starting role.
With Iggy out, the 76ers will see the true potential of Evan Turner and his reputation would be better.
Conclusion
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Although most teams would rather prefer Carmelo Anthony over Iguodala, there is not much of a chance of your team getting 'Melo unless your team is named the Knicks or the Nets, and even those teams do not have a 100 percent chance.
That is why, the best and safest bet is to go for Andre Iguodala. He is a player who would be a great addition to any team and has many upsides to his game.
Thanks for reading!
