Andre Iguodala Finalist For USA
Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers is one of 15 finalist for the United States Basketball team. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo have been pleasantly surprised by the play of Andre Iguodala.
” I approached Andre at the beginning of camp in Las Vegas about playing defense. Andre is an excellent athlete who can create problems for against other teams with his quickness and nature ability” said by head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Andre Iguodala is having the camp of his life. Iguodala is playing defense at the highest level. Having players like Rajon Rondo, Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant around him is only going to give Iguodala confidence. Iguodala has made the most of this opportunity. Iguodala scored 17 points and created opportunities for his team-mates with his defense in an exhibition game.
This particular game impressed head coach Mike Krzyzewski and assistant coach Chris Collins. Chris Collins has been telling his father about Andre Iguodala’s play at the USA Basketball camp in Las Vegas. ” Andre has been great the entire camp. Andre Iguodala plays with a lot of energy” said by assistant coach Chris Collins.
Head coach Doug Collins is happy to see Andre Iguodala playing well for the USA Basketball team. With the World Championships fastly approaching Andre Iguodala will have to keep playing at an high level if he wants to make the team.
Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder is clearly the number one scoring option for Team USA. If Andre Iguodal makes the team after the USA trims down to 12 players, his confidence will only take his game to the next level.
Head coach Doug Collins is encouraging all of his players to play to the best of their ability. Andre Iguodala is finally starting to play like he wants to be the number one scoring option for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Coach Collins Set To Meet With Brand
For the past 2 season’s Elton Brand has been dealing with injuries. When Elton Brand signed with the Philadelphia 76ers 3 years ago for 80 million dollars, a lot was expected of him. Elton Brand was still recovering from an Achilles tendon surgery prior to signing with the 76ers.
Then, once the season started Brand was back in surgery again. This time with an shoulder injury. Now with the 76ers season set to start in the fall their is optimism coming from new Head Coach Doug Collins. Who by the way, knows something about being injured.
Doug Collins was the number one pick for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973. Injuries cut his career short. Collins angles and feet only allowed him to play 8 season’s in the NBA.
” I have been trying to reach out to Elton Brand for some time now. I know what it feels like not to play the game at your best. I want to reach out to Elton Brand and encourage him” said by Head Coach Doug Collins.
Head Coach Doug Collins still thinks Elton Brand can contribute and help the 76ers win games. When the schedule allows itself, head coach Doug Collins will be joined by assistant coach Quin Snyder who recruited Elton Brand when Brand was in High School. Both coaches want to have a meeting with Elton Brand before the season starts.
Coach Collins and his assistants have been busy this off season watching players work out. Coach Collins and assistant coach Michael Curry watched Marresse Spheights work out in Las Vegas. Assistant coach Aaron Mckie has been watching and helping players work out in Philadelphia as well. Assistant coach Brian James has been watching Lou Williams and Jodie Meeks work out in Georgia. And a number of assistants have flown up to Columbus Ohio to watch rookie Evan Turner work out this summer.
Head Coach Doug Collins is determined to be on the same page as his players and his assistant coaches. When training camp starts let’s see if everyone can buy into what new Head Coach Doug Collins and selling.
Player Profiles Andres Nocioni
Lost in the all of the confusion of who will stay and who will go is the question, that remains unanswered for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 76ers may have a gem on the sidelines ready to shine when call upon.
Andres Nocioni is a player who can help the 76ers right now. At 6 foot 7 Nocioni can play shooting guard or small forward. If you don’t know who Andres Nocioni is you will find out this season if he stays healthy. Nocioni played with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Sacramento Kings.
Nocioni was a key player for the Bulls 4 years ago when the up start Bulls upset the defending champion Miami Heat. Nocioni lead the way with his outside shooting and timely baskets in the crunch. The Miami Heat could not handle his style of play that entire series.
Injuries played a part in why the Bulls traded away Andres Nocioni. For the past 2 seasons Nocioni was lost amist the cows with the Kings. Nocioni and Spencer Hawes came over to the 76ers from the Kings. Both players were part of the Samuel Delanbert trade.
With new life in Philadelphia, Nocioni should thrive with the 76ers. Nocioni career averge from behind the arc is 38%. The 76ers will need his shooting off the bench to stretch the defense.
Defensive State Of Mind
The Philadelphia 76ers small forward/shooting guard Andre Iguodala is in Las Vegas for the USA Men’s National basketball team. Iguodala is in training camp with the National team coached by Hall of Fame College Basketball Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. Andre Iguodala is in training camp learning how to play defense in the half court and out in space.
An athlete like Iguodala needs to learn how to use his athleticism to his advantage. New head coach Doug Collins has been seen watching the National Team practice all week. Coach Collins was joined by assistant coach Michael Curry.
The Philadelphia 76ers are trying to find innovative ways to use Andre Iguodala in the offense. Training camp is in session. Iguodala has to find a way and step up this season.
This is Andre Iguodala’s team now. He will be the number one option. The 76ers have given him more then enough time to mature and development. Evan Turner will take off some of the pressure off of Iguodala, when he learns how to play in the NBA.
The National Basketball team is loaded with NBA talent. Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, and Chauncey Billups just to name a few. The presence of these All-Star players can only give Andre Iguodala confidence going forward. The 76ers will need Iguodala to be a leader.
The Philadelphia 76ers will have one of the youngest back courts in the NBA. With Jrue Holiday at point guard and Evan Turner at shooting guard the 76ers will have one the most athletic back courts as well.
Andre Iguodala will play small forward this year. Defense will be his first priority when the season starts. And head coach Doug Collins will need Andre Iguodala to anchor his defense.
76ers Sign Tony Battie
General manager Ed Stefanski just signed free agent center/power forward Tony Battie, late last night . Terms were not disclosed. ” Tony Battie will add much needed depth to our front line” said by GM Ed Stefanski. Tony Battie only appeared in 15 games last year for the New Jersey Nets. Battie averaged 6.4 points and grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game.
Tony Battie was traded last year from the Orlando Magic. Battie was involved in the deal that sent swingman Vince Carter to the Magic. At 6 foot 11 and 240 pounds Tony Battie can help the 76ers front line. Suddenly the Philadelphia 76ers finally has some size on their roster.
The lingering question is, how will head coach Doug Collins incorporate all of his big guys. Spencer Hawes is a power forward/center just like Tony Battie. Marreese Speights can play both positions as well.
This is a good problem to have if you are Doug Collins. The 76ers will need scoring from their big guys inside, as well as rebounding. This does however, put a lot of pressure on Jrue Holiday and rookie shooting guard Evan Turner to score baskets in transition.
The only way the 76ers can keep up with basketball teams in the NBA is to let their defense create offense. Elton Brand and the rest of the bigs have to get Holiday the ball in the open court. There Holiday can find Evan Turner or Andre Iguodala out in space where they can use their athletism to make plays.
Tony Battie will be entering his 13th season when training camp opens. How much does Tony Battie have left in the tank to help the Philadelphia 76ers?
Stay Tuned!!!!!!!!!!!!
