You’ve got to love the superlatives analysts use to describe up and coming stars in sports. From “freakish ability” to “a great motor” to “outstanding length”, the words roll of the tongue beautifully.
Andre Iguodala is a guy who fits all three of those characterizations. He plays with heart and is a one of the fastest players in the NBA, turning on the motor for many a fast-break dunk. His length allows him to soar above the rim and his freakish ability guides him all over the court, on defense and offense.
This past season, Iguodala was a vital cog for the Philadelphia 76ers as they made it to the playoffs for the first time during the post-Allen Iverson era. His numbers during the '07-'08 season were outstanding, as he put up nearly 20 points and over five rebounds-per-game.
Each year since he entered the league as the ninth pick in the 2004 draft, Iggy has grown nearer toward being labeled as a “star” in the association. He has matured so much in the last four seasons that the Sixers brass has bestowed upon him a lucrative contract worth $80 million over six years.
The numbers have obviously been steadily increasing as Iguodala has made himself a better all-around player. He has been a constant in the 76ers lineup as well, missing just four games in four years. However, when Philly needed him most in the playoffs, Iguodala was relegated to a non-factor against Detroit in the first round.
Granted, the Pistons are a superb defensive squad, but Iguodala really missed out on an opportunity to place himself in the upper echelon of small forwards in the league. His 13 points per game in the six-game series was a far cry from the regular season, and his disappearance was a major factor in falling to the perennial playoff contenders.
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The 76ers have shown recently that they are back on track and could be a force to behold in the Eastern Conference. Singing Elton Brand to a five-year deal instantly gave them credibility and brought them the post presence they sorely lacked last season. Iguodala and Brand will now form a formidable one-two punch that could give other teams fits in the East.
Although Iguodala has shown so much promise over his four seasons, one number sticks out.
Eighty.
Eighty-million big ones is a large, large number to throw at a guy who has not won a playoff series and is not even the number one option on his team (that has been passed onto Brand since he signed).
It’s a lot of dough to throw at a player who is a suspect outside shooter (just a 33% three-point shooter over his career) and occasional complainer on the court.
That $80 million is $8 million more than was given to Luol Deng, $14 million more than Monta Ellis, and right in the same ballpark as Dwight Howard ($85 million over five seasons).
Yes, Iguodala has been an amazing force for the 76ers as they look to return to their days of prominence within the Atlantic Division and more importantly the Eastern Conference. But looking at the numbers of the new deal, what was the basis the 76ers front office used when negotiating with Iguodala?
His statistics are comparable to Monta Ellis and Luol Deng over the last few seasons, so why not pay the going rate? The Sixers could have saved a bit of money over the length of the deal which may have come in handy at some point down the road.
Eight to ten million dollars over a couple of years in the NBA, which employs a salary cap, would be useful in some ways.
And lets face it, it's essential for a franchise to keep it’s players happy. And money has a way of doing that for most.
Certainly we can see that Iguodala is a budding superstar and if his track record is any indication of things to come, then he should fulfill the exorbitant deal he is about to sign.
Sixers fans have to hope that the fire stays lit and the motor keeps running for Iggy even though he is now a wealthy individual. He must work on his shooting first and foremost, and still use his uncanny ability to get to the rim if he wants to be recognized as an elite player.
Iguodala has all the tools in the world to make this contract a worthwhile one for both him and the 76ers franchise. He has shown the freakish athletic ability and the crazy hops that make him one of the best dunkers in the NBA. We all know about that engine.
What Iguodala needs to do now is come into the ’08 season and continue his ascent to the top of the league.
Because anything less wont be worth $80 million.
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2 months ago
Andre Iguodala is 24, so I am assuming that the Sixers believe he is going to improve over the next few years and show everyone that he is worth $80 million.
Outside shooting isn't hard to improve on, it just takes practice. If he spends enough time in the gym shooting threes, he can become a great shooter.
I don't think the 76ers will regret this. They have put together a great lineup and have become a definite playoff team.
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