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**Coatesvillain** · 10-05-2005, 06:10 AM

Quote:

AS A FRANCHISE, the

76ers have never done well in the transition from superstar to superstar.

A year removed from the 1967 NBA championship, the Sixers decided they wanted to get younger and faster for the 1968-69 season, so they traded Wilt Chamberlain to the Los Angeles Lakers.

They treaded water for eight seasons until new owner Fitz Eugene Dixon broke the bank and shelled out $6 million to acquire Julius Erving in 1976.

A year after the Sixers won the 1983 title, they drafted Charles Barkley, fifth overall.

Barkley was supposed to carry the torch after Doctor J passed it to him and rode into the sunset, but Chuck wasn't the patient type. It didn't take long before he was suggesting that Doc take his dwindling skills to the retirement home sooner rather than later.

Erving retired after the 1986-87 season.

Barkley didn't fumble the ball, but he didn't take it to the end zone, either. After a mildly successful 8-year reign, Sir Charles packed his bags for Phoenix after the 1991-92 season.

With no heir to step in, the Sixers wallowed in the wilderness for four seasons. Then they lucked into the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft and selected Allen Iverson.

Entering his 10th season, and coming off arguably his best one ever, Iverson isn't a guy whose tank is empty; still, it is reaching the point at which the end is starting to look closer than the beginning.

For once, however, the Sixers appear to have the right piece in place to make a smooth transition from superstar to superstar.

Second-year swingman Andre Iguodala isn't pushing to be the face of the franchise immediately.

He is comfortable with the fact that the Sixers are still Iverson's team. He is content to play his role, learn and gain experience while playing alongside Iverson and recently acquired Chris Webber.

But make no mistake; the successor to the throne is already in the castle.

Whenever Iverson is ready to turn over the mantle, he can be pretty sure he will hand it off to Iguodala, the ninth overall pick in the 2004 draft, who became the first Sixer since Iverson to make NBA All-Rookie first team.

"I'm happy to hear that [people regard me as the next Sixers star]," said Iguodala, who left the University of Arizona after two seasons. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to be in that position.

"Right now, A.I. and Chris are going to be the leaders of this team, for who knows how many years to come, but I think each year my role is going to become bigger and bigger."

The only Sixer to start all 82 regular-season games, Iguodala averaged 9.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.68 steals.

He's one of those guys who might not do any one thing spectacularly, but does everything very well. And every time you watch him play, you know that he is just scratching the surface and that there is so much more to come.

With Iverson and Webber likely to get 1,000 to 1,500 shots each, don't expect Iguodala to start jacking up shots until his elbow gets sore.

Still, expect new coach Maurice Cheeks to run more plays for him, and for Iguodala to become more aggressive in creating his own shot.

"Last year in the playoffs, I found myself with the ball in my hands with 5 or 6 seconds left, and I had to come up with something," said Iguodala, who took only 546 shots as a rookie. "Now I've been able to create sort of a go-to move to get my shot off.

"I've worked a lot on the pick-and-rolls to spread the defense and set up more things for myself, as well as my teammates.

"When the shot is there, I'm going to take it, but my shooting the ball isn't going to be the difference between whether we win or not.

"I just have to be confident out there. I don't have to take a shot to make things happen on the court. I think, with the ball in my hands a little more, it'll be so much better for myself and the team."

LINK

SirCharles34 · 10-09-2005, 12:33 AM

Hey nice read, thanks for posting. I'm gonna enjoy seeing Iggy grow the next few yrs. He's going to be awesome.

I came across this article one day about some of the worst and questionable trades in 6er history. This team has the knack of giving away good talent. No matter who's n charge. Harold Katz never could surround Barkley with any good players, until he finally traded him away for 2 scrubs and 1 role player.

From Wilt the Stilt to Barkley

Sixerfanforlife · 10-09-2005, 07:30 AM

Good talent? Or do you mean talent that could never succeed? There's a reason the Eagles didn't give T.O more then 2 guranteed years.

**Kunlun** · 10-09-2005, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sixerfanforlife

Good talent? Or do you mean talent that could never succeed? There's a reason the Eagles didn't give T.O more then 2 guranteed years.

What does that have anything to do with Andre Iguodala?

Rayza · 10-09-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunlun

What does that have anything to do with Andre Iguodala?

lol. Exactly what i was thinking ...

thekid · 10-15-2005, 07:11 PM

Is he the type of player who will be able to take that superstar load though? Particularly the scoring.

Lakers Own · 10-16-2005, 01:12 PM

I love Andre Iguodala, but I don't ever see him becoming a superstar. His shot isn't anything special and he is more a defensive specialist. I do see him improving but I doubt he'll ever score more than 18 a game.

SixersFan · 10-16-2005, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakers Own

I love Andre Iguodala, but I don't ever see him becoming a superstar. His shot isn't anything special and he is more a defensive specialist. I do see him improving but I doubt he'll ever score more than 18 a game.

I agree, but I'm holding out a lot of hope.

**Max Payne** · 10-16-2005, 06:21 PM

A superstar is a subjective term. Andre can be a great, great player without jacking up shots. A lot of people just don't understand how hard it is to be a great defender in the league. Andre is right up there with the elite wing defenders in the league and that's something that takes most players years to learn. Many players are excellent scorers but it takes a special drive and talent to be a great defender at the same time. He has the athleticism (as we all know with all the highlight reel plays last year) to be a monster on the offensive end. It's also not like his jumpshot isn't even developed - it just needs some fine-tuning. The future for this team is excellent if he's Iverson's heir apparent.

Lakers Own · 10-17-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Payne

A superstar is a subjective term. Andre can be a great, great player without jacking up shots. A lot of people just don't understand how hard it is to be a great defender in the league. Andre is right up there with the elite wing defenders in the league and that's something that takes most players years to learn. Many players are excellent scorers but it takes a special drive and talent to be a great defender at the same time. He has the athleticism (as we all know with all the highlight reel plays last year) to be a monster on the offensive end. It's also not like his jumpshot isn't even developed - it just needs some fine-tuning. The future for this team is excellent if he's Iverson's heir apparent.

Good Point

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