Andre Iguodala News: Pro Sports Daily

Sixers' Iguodala poised to lift team on his shoulders

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October 28

Philadelphia Daily News

"TONIGHT in Orlando, forward Andre Iguodala will play in his 405th regular-season game for the Sixers as they open their season against the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic. And for the 405th time, the public-address announcer will introduce Iguodala as a starter.His game has improved in each of his five seasons with the club - since being taken as the ninth overall pick in 2004 out of the University of Arizona - but has it plateaued? Or can the team build around the 6-6, 207-pounder in hopes of becoming an elite NBA team?The Sixers will unveil their new coach, Eddie Jordan, tonight, along with his heralded Princeton offense. In Jordan's previous coaching jobs, his offense helped ..."

S. Jersey woman sues Iguodala for child support

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June 19

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Sixers star Andre Iguodala is being sued for child support by a South Jersey woman.Clayanna Warthen, 23, of Clementon, delivered the baby, London Iguodala, on May 7. Warthen alleges that she has no income and has been compelled to obtain medical coverage through the state of New Jersey, and seeks temporary support of $12,000 to $15,000 a month, according to the suit filed in Camden County court yesterday by attorney Richard C. Klein of Spector Gadon"

Iguodala calls for Sixers shake-up

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May 1

Philadelphia Daily News

"AS THE SIXERS' spokesman, its face, Andre Iguodala figures he should have input.As the team's general manager, Ed Stefanski better get ready to listen."We could have been a 50-win team," Iguodala said last night after the Sixers lost Game 6, 114-89, and their Eastern Conference quarterfinal to the Magic, their second six-game, first-round playoff loss in as many seasons.His solution?"Moves. It's going to be a busy summer," Iguodala said. "I'm going to sit down with Ed and discuss what I think will get us over the [hump]."As for coach Tony DiLeo, the team's assistant GM who replaced Maurice Cheeks in December and led the club to the playoffs, well, Iguodala didn't exactly endorse his ..."

76ers' Game 1 hero Andre Iguodala has flown under NBA radar

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April 21

Orlando Sentinel

"After Philadelphia's stunning 100-98 upset of Orlando Sunday night, game hero and 76ers swingman Andre Iguodala was asked to describe what it is about his team that makes it so dangerous. Following a short pause, the Sixers' new era "A.I." tried to put it in words: "It's that Philadelphia style of play," he said. "Just the city itself is 'grindy.' Everybody is a hard worker. I think as a team we bring that to the table." While "grindy" may not show up in Webster's Dictionary any time soon, for a guy like Iguodala who has flown under the NBA radar during his five seasons in the league, it is the perfect way to illustrate what he brings to the table. When Maurice Cheeks was fired after a ..."

Iguodala, Sixers take Game 1 thriller over Orlando

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April 20

Philadelphia Daily News

"Even Tiger was stunned.Yes, that Tiger. He's an Orlando area resident, a Magic fan, a mild-mannered City Beautiful version of Jack or Spike or whatever courtside beautiful person makes the best comparison.Tiger just sat and watched as the Sixers filed past to their locker room after their 100-98 upset of the Magic in Game 1 of their playoff series, the Sixers themselves a little unbelieving.OK, maybe he was waiting for the teams to exit, for security to clear him an escape route. But he looked pretty surprised.After all, it seemed so unlikely, the Sixers down by 18 with just over one quarter to play.It seemed valiant and failed when Andre Iguodala missed two free throws with 1 minute, 12 ..."

Iguodala's trey at buzzer beats Lakers

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March 18

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Unlike Kobe Bryant, Andre Iguodala of the 76ers might be able to walk, uninterrupted, down most U.S. streets. But last night at the Staples Center, Iguodala made Bryant disappear. That is, until there were 6.6 seconds remaining. That's when Bryant rose and drained a long jumper from the top of the key to give the Los Angeles Lakers a one-point lead. As Bryant walked back to the Lakers' bench, the crowd began chanting "MVP." But 6.6 seconds later, Iguodala outdid Bryant, rising from the top of the key and swirling in a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat the Lakers, 94-93. This was the biggest win of the season for the Sixers. Iguodala scored 25 points, and chased Bryant through ..."

Iguodala in Bryant's long shadow

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March 18

Philadelphia Inquirer

"When Andre Iguodala, then a University of Arizona Wildcat, was looking for an agent, he heard from Kobe Bryant's.That would be a little like looking for a new suit and hearing from Brad Pitt's tailor.Iguodala talked to the agent, Rob Pelinka, and ended up signing with him.Iguodala called Bryant "kind of, sort of, part of the reason" he signed with Pelinka, who this off-season negotiated a six-year, $80 million contract for the 76ers swingman.Now, Iguodala talks to Bryant maybe a couple of times during the season and enjoys the challenge of playing, arguably, the best player in the world.Last night was one of those challenges as Iguodala's Sixers played Bryant's Lakers at the Staples ..."

Iguodala beats buzzer, Sixers beat Lakers

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March 18

Philadelphia Daily News

"The NBA has always celebrated compelling individual matchups - think Wilt vs. Russell, Oscar vs. West, Kareem vs. Walton - but it wasn't until the 1979-80 season, when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were rookies, that the league caught on to the possibilities of packaging glitz and made it an integral part of its marketing strategy.Suddenly, television ads were advising viewers to tune in and "See Bird take on Magic!" instead of the Celtics against the Lakers. Just like that, the cult of the superstar became the lifeblood of the NBA experience, with Bird, Magic, Doctor J and Michael Jordan the highlight-reel heroes of a generation of young fans.Now the names that are held highest in the ..."

Iguodala helps Sixers stop skid

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February 26

Camden Courier-Post

"It didn't matter who it was against. It didn't matter how it came. All the Sixers knew was that they needed a victory -- desperately. They had lost four in a row, with the fourth coming on a halfcourt buzzer-beater Monday in New Jersey. So the Sixers didn't care that this 106-98 win Wednesday came over the Washington Wizards, the worst team in the Eastern Conference. That enabled the Sixers to sweep the season series 4-0. "We definitely needed to get back on the winning track again," Sixers guard Willie Green said. "We're getting toward the end of the season, so this was an important game for us." Andre Iguodala led the way with 22 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. He knew he needed ..."

Iguodala takes charge and Sixers take off

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February 11

Camden Courier-Post

"Andre Iguodala will soon take his time off during the All-Star break for the third straight season and come back ready to go for the rest of the season. But 76ers coach Tony DiLeo said that should be changing as soon as next season. "I told Andre, "Enjoy this break because this will be your last break during All-Star weekend for a while,' " DiLeo said. "I firmly believe that." That's because Iguodala has produced at an All-Star level over the past 24 games. It may or may not be coincidental that Iguodala's turnaround began once Elton Brand dislocated his shoulder. Brand missed 16 games then came back for six as a reserve before going out for the rest of the season last Thursday when it was ..."

All-Star turn is likely only a year off for Sixers' Iguodala

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February 11

Philadelphia Daily News

"As Andre Iguodala left practice yesterday, somebody suggested that he should enjoy the Bahamas or wherever he might be going during the NBA's All-Star Weekend break."I'm not going anywhere," the 76ers' leading scorer said.Maybe not now."I told Andre to enjoy this break, because this will be [his] last break at All-Star weekend," coach Tony DiLeo said. "I firmly believe it."He didn't have a great start and maybe the team didn't have a great start, but if he and the team continue to play like this going into next year, he has to be an All-Star."Going into tonight's seven-game homestand finale against the re-energized Memphis Grizzlies, Iguodala is averaging 17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 ..."

Iguodala's (lack of) outside shot

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December 28

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Say what you want about Andre Iguodala.Most 76ers fans do."Overrated. Overpaid. Underskilled. Can't shoot. No position."These labels trail Iguodala like a bad high-school rumor: He can't shake them.Even after Friday night's last-second loss to the Denver Nuggets, even after he scored 24 points and had his team running as smoothly as a new Mercedes, Iguodala still had questions to answer.And in his reply to the question he hears more than any other - "What's up with your outside shot?" - he sounded resigned. As if now, nothing he does can change the perception.If you hear something enough, you might start to assume it's true.So Iguodala responded, "It's off. . . . I know."Maybe it's because ..."

Iguodala emerges in Sixers' loss

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December 11

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The result of the 76ers' game tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers was a 101-93 loss. But like cleaning out the attic and finding that long-lost photo album, the Sixers might have discovered something in the process: that Andre Iguodala should play small forward. It could be the only good thing coming from the loss, the Sixers' 13th in 22 games this season. "Could have something to do with it," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks conceded in reference to Iguodala's strong play after returning to his natural position. "His play has been steadily rising lately, but where his success came from last year was at that small-forward spot, no question." Added Cheeks: "Certainly we'll look at the tape ..."

Iguodala searching for answers

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December 1

PhillyBurbs.com

"Last season, Andre Iguodala averaged a team- and career-high 19.9 points for the Sixers. He hasn't scored 19 points once in their first 17 games of 2008-09, with a high of 18 at Toronto on Nov. 12. In Sunday's 103-92 home loss to the Chicago Bulls, Iguodala managed eight points on 5-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes. That's coming off a nine-point night in Friday's 24-point drubbing by Boston. The two weekend games dropped Iguodala's scoring average to 13.0 points, good enough for fourth on the 7-10 Sixers. His field goal percentage (39.8), 3-point percentage (25.6), free throw percentage (69.2) and steals (1.5) are all down considerably from a year ago. Iguodala, who signed a six-year, $80 ..."

Production down for Iguodala

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November 9

Camden Courier-Post

"It's safe to assume that just about everyone expected an adjustment period for the 76ers after they acquired Elton Brand, and that the biggest adjustment would have to be made by Andre Iguodala. He would no longer be the go-to guy, like he was last season when he helped lead the overachieving Sixers to the playoffs. But few people figured that Iguodala's slow start this season would stem from Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Andre Miller, and not Brand. A look at the numbers bears this out. Last season, Iguodala averaged 19.9 points, 4.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game. He shot 45.6 percent. He averaged 15.6 shots per game. This season, Iguodala is averaging 11.0 points, 4.8 assists and ..."

An unsure Iguodala is cause for concern

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November 9

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Of the string of questions about the 76ers, perhaps the most frequent, and most pressing, is: What's up with Andre Iguodala? Last season, Iguodala appeared one summer in the gym - specifically working on his outside shot - from an all-star selection. He averaged 19.9 points a game, but he was more than a scorer: He rebounded, passed and defended. As his new team - yes, it is still his team - struggles through a confusing 2-4 start, the worries about Iguodala have only heightened. Through six games, Iguodala is averaging 11.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He has sprinted up and down the court looking unsure of his place, unsure when he should shoot, unsure where he ..."

Iguodala: Sixers like what Phillies accomplished

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October 31

Philadelphia Daily News

"The 76ers handed Andre Iguodala the microphone on Opening Night, and he welcomed the crowd by mentioning the parade he knew was coming from the Phillies and that, hopefully, the Sixers would soon be there with a parade of their own. Might as well aim high. "We're trying to win a championship . . . that's our goal," Iguodala was saying yesterday, undeterred by Wednesday's 95-84 loss to Toronto. "Last year, we lost our first game and we said we were building. Now, we've got to get it rolling. Even though there are some new guys here, we've got to keep pushing, get that ball rolling faster, rather than waiting around until February to start playing well." Having a low-post player in Elton ..."

Iguodala happy to fit in anywhere for 76ers

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September 30

Philadelphia Inquirer

"One big question for the 76ers as the team prepares for its fourth season under coach Maurice Cheeks is whether Andre Iguodala will open at shooting guard or small forward. Cheeks said last week that the fifth spot is to be determined in a lineup that is certain to include newly acquired power forward Elton Brand, center Samuel Dalembert and point guard Andre Miller. The 6-foot-6 Iguodala was asked his preference: small forward or shooting guard? He said the positions are "interchangeable." "There may have been times last year where it looked like I was playing the 'two' [shooting guard] and I was playing the 'three' [power forward]," Iguodala said. "Defensively, I'm still going to guard a ..."

Iguodala ready to play at the '2' spot

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August 20

PhillyBurbs.com

"Andre Iguodala doesn't see why he can't successfully move over to shooting guard from small forward for extended stretches this season. The idea is to get Sixers natural small forward Thaddeus Young onto the court more, now that Elton Brand is expected to handle the bulk of the minutes at power forward. "It's basketball," said Iguodala after Monday's news conference to announce he'd signed a six-year, $80 million contract. "As a basketball player, positions don't really matter. If you're a 'two' and a 'three,' that's pretty much the same thing. With any offense, you're considered a wing more than [a specific position]." The one concern is that neither Iguodala nor Young are particularly ..."

Iguodala knew what he was worth

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August 19

Wilmington News Journal

"Andre Iguodala said he kept hearing how he was crazy for turning down the five-year, $57 million offer from the 76ers last fall. Fans would tell him that. Even opposing players would tell him that. But Iguodala knew his worth and his potential, and the Sixers agreed, as he officially signed a six-year, $80 million contract Monday. He used a gold pen. "I don't think there's any more pressure that a player can put on himself than when he turns down $57 million and people look at him like he's crazy," Iguodala said. "They said there's no way he should turn that money down, and then I've got to go out and perform. That's the most pressure a player can have on himself." But really, the Sixers ..."

Iguodala wants to lead Sixers to finals

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August 19

PhillyBurbs.com

"Andre Iguodala has a master plan. It started with him saying the Sixers were going to make the playoffs last season, even though "[the media] looked at me like I was crazy." After signing a six-year, $80 million guaranteed contract - with incentives that could apparently push it as high as $85 million - to remain a Sixer on Monday at the Wachovia Center, Iguodala says that the Sixers can get to the Eastern Conference finals or the NBA Finals this year. Iguodala's master plan also calls for him to become a U.S. Olympian in 2012 after spending the last two summers on the U.S. Select Team. "I'm just looking forward to stepping on the stage and playing for our country," Iguodala said. "2012 is ..."

76ers re-sign Andre Iguodala

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August 18

SI.com

"The Philadelphia 76ers re-signed Andre Iguodala on Sunday, giving the forward a six-year contract worth a reported $80 million. Iguodala, who was a restricted free agent, helped the 76ers reach the playoffs for the first time in three years. An official announcement is expected Monday. Iguodala averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals in 82 games last season. He struggled in the playoffs against Detroit, averaging 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. The 24-year-old Iguodala could've played this season under terms of a $3.8 million, one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year. Retaining Iguodala was a top priority for Philadelphia, ..."

Iguodala, Sixers OK new deal

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August 14

PhillyBurbs.com

"The 76ers and the agent for fifth-year swingman Andre Iguodala have reached an agreement in principle on a contract, according to a source close to the situation, although nothing has been signed. ESPN.com reported Tuesday that the deal would be for six years and $80 million. It's believed that the figure is pretty close. There also may be some money that could come to Iguodala in the form of performance bonuses. The Bulls' Luol Deng (six years, $71 million) and the Bobcats' Emeka Okafor (six years, $72 million) both have incentives that could raise their totals to roughly $80 million. Deng and Okafor were restricted free agents, just like Iguodala. Iguodala's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not ..."

Iguodala, 76ers near $80 million deal

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August 13

Philadelphia Inquirer

"The wait is just about over. A league source has confirmed that the 76ers and their restricted free agent Andre Iguodala are very close to reaching an agreement that could be worth about $80 million over six years, according to a report on ESPN.com. Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski had no comment. It has been a busy summer for the Sixers and Stefanski, who previously signed three free agents and one restricted free agent in a little over a month. Even so, the status of Iguodala, the Sixers' 6-foot-6 restricted free agent who led the team in scoring last season at 19.9 points per game, has been at the forefront of all team discussions. Stefanski said repeatedly in the last five weeks ..."

GM on Iguodala: 'No deal yet'

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August 13

Philadelphia Daily News

"E-MAIL IS a wonderful thing. Responses to questions can be ever so brief, so concise.The question to 76ers president/general manager Eddie Stefanski was: Could he confirm the ESPN.com report that guard/forward Andre Iguodala, a restricted free agent, had agreed to the terms of a 6-year, $80 million contract."Nothing to report from our side,'' Stefanski replied.That was it. All of it.Later, in Los Angeles on vacation, he was interviewed by Tom McCarthy, of the Phillies' broadcast team, during the Phils-Dodgers game.When asked about Iguodala, he said, "Right now we're still negotiating. I hope it comes to fruition, but there's no deal yet.''Stefanski has said since the conclusion of last ..."

Sources: Iguodala agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Sixers

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August 12

ESPN.com

"The Philadelphia 76ers and restricted free agent Andre Iguodala have agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract, league sources told ESPN.com. The athletic and exciting 6-foot-6 forward/guard has improved his scoring average in each of his first four seasons, and promises to be a mainstay on a Sixers team that recently signed former Clippers big man Elton Brand to an estimated $82 million free-agent contract. Point guard Andre Miller, center Samuel Dalembert, and promising bench players like Thaddeus Young and Louis Williams make the Sixers an emergent force in the East. The young team managed to extend the Detroit Pistons to six games in the opening round of this year's playoffs -- and ..."

Iguodala chosen forteam

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July 17

Wilmington News Journal

"Andre Iguodala might not have the new contract that he has been seeking yet, but he does have a spot on the USA Basketball Men's Select Team that will scrimmage against the national team as it prepares for the Summer Olympics. Iguodala, a 76ers guard/forward, was one of 10 young NBA players picked to begin training with the team in Las Vegas on Sunday. Theteam will then practice with and scrimmage against the national team until July 24. The national team will play the Canadian team, featuring 76ers forward Samuel Dalembert, in an exhibition the next night in Las Vegas before leaving for China. Iguodala was also on theteam last year as the national team prepared for the Olympic ..."

Clippers could be making an offer to Iguodala

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July 14

Philadelphia Daily News

"The Los Angeles Clippers, who lost unrestricted free agent forward Elton Brand to the 76ers last week, are trying to determine which remaining free agent might best fit their needs. And, according to a rumor circulating through the NBA, it could be the Sixers' Andre Iguodala. The rumor suggested that the Clippers, via coach Mike Dunleavy, already have had contact with Iguodala, who was in Las Vegas Saturday to watch the Sixers' summer league team play the Denver Nuggets. The contact, though, supposedly came in the days before that game."

76ers offer deals to Iguodala, Williams

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June 25

Wilmington News Journal

"The 76ers extended qualifying offers today to restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams.The team did not disclose financial terms. As restricted free agents, both player may sign an offer sheet with any team, but the 76ers have the right to match that offer.Iguodala started all 82 games last season, averaging 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.09 steals in 39.5 minutes per game. Iguodala has the third-most steals of any player dating back to the start of the 2004-05 season."