Flight School

Determination

AG and AI after practice

"I holla at AI peoples..."

50 Cent - Ski Mask Way

Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers have managed to turn things around...recently winning their last 5 games. Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points yesterday. Over the past 21 games, he is averaging 20.4 points and has scored 20+ points in nine of the past 12 games.

Home Improvement

In the midst of the Philadelphia Eagles playoff success, the team across 11th Street...the Sixers, have been playing well lately in their own right. Maurice Cheeks was fired as head coach, and Elton Brand has been sidelined with a shoulder injury...and while these two instances could derail most teams...it has been a test that the home team could handle, as they have improved their record, to 18-20, after winning on Wednesday night 100-79, over the visiting Trail Blazers.

AI had 14 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the 1st quarter, as the 76ers jumped out to a 31-15 lead, holding Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and LaMarcus Aldridge to a combined 6 points. 

By the half, AI and company led 55-33, so I steered my focus on my questions for after the game. 

In the end, I attended head coach Tony DiLeo's press conference, and then I proceeded to the locker room to catch up with Iguodala.

Here is the final score on our conversations:

GAME TIME with AG: Coach can you talk about the ball movement...you had three guys with 6 assists...offensively things are looking really good as of late: 

Tony DiLeo: "Yeah the spacing is good...the half court execution looks good...the timing, we've worked on that...it's a credit to this team. They're out there passing the ball, they're looking for other people...very unselfish team."

GAME TIME with AG: Can you talk about Andre Iguodala, and his play tonight?

Tony DiLeo: "You know, I probably don't give Andre enough credit...in these press conferences I like to point out guys...you know sometimes I think we take Andre for granted, but he's been playing at a high, high level. And you know last week, I thought he had a chance for Player of the Week honors, but unfortunately he didn't get it...maybe he'll get it this week?"

GAME TIME with AG: What has been the key to the 5-straight wins?

Andre Iguodala: "Our defense has been a lot better! We've gotten stops when we needed to...getting the rebounds, and getting out on the break, the game's a lot easier when we get stops."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about this team having a green light to shoot offensively...what does that do for your game personally?

Andre Iguodala: "Well it's the confidence factor, where you just feel like you can make any shot, so you know...you shoot it in rhythm, you shoot it with confidence, and more than likely...it's going to go in."

GAME TIME with AG: Coming out of Arizona, your game was steady, with a lot of double-doubles...when you first came into the League the focus was defense, now you've matured in this league, and you can score whenever you want...you're getting back to that college game, is defense still the focus for you?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...I think that it has to be...to try to be as a complete player as possible, and I think that's what separates me from other guys. LeBron's doing that now...he's blocking shots...it's like you have to be at a high level at all times to be a complete player, and that's what I'm trying to be. You know you have some guys who are shooters and that's it...if they're not making shots then they're on the bench. So I'm just trying to be a factor in every facet on the floor, and being out there and being effective."

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about playing defense:

Andre Iguodala: "Some nights I might match up with like, a Carmelo [Anthony], but also I have to make those guys work when I'm on the offense end...when they're on defense, you know...just making the game tough on them. It's harder than what people think, you know you have to go out here, and I only had a few points against Charlotte but, I had to guard [Gerald] Wallace, and that's a big match up...and I was able to get him out of the game, and we ended up winning, and people don't see that, but that's just a part of me being a complete player, and understanding doing whatever it takes for us to win."

GAME TIME with AG: Coach talked about you should have gotten NBA Player of the Week honors, do you think about those types of things?

Andre Iguodala: "Yeah...one thing is...if you get wins, you get noticed more, and we always seem to get it going too late, but I think the Player of the Week thing is something that you try to be complete every game, consistently...and that's what I'm trying to do. Just not for the week, but for the month, but more so for myself, and not being noticed, I know I've been playing better as of late, and I just have to keep it going."

GAME TIME with AG: Does this season remind you of last year?

Andre Iguodala: "I think it reminds me a little bit, because of the way we started off a little slow, and then we got it going. But before...last year it took us until after the All-Star break, and I think this year, if we keep playing the way we are, we can get it going earlier, and get a better start. I think now we understand how important our finish is late in the season to get a playoff spot...a good one."

GAME TIME with AG: Does the Eagles success have anything to do with your team, or are you just trying to play your game?

Andre Iguodala: "I think we are just trying to play our game, but I told the guys 3-weeks ago that the Eagles were going to the Super Bowl, and they thought I was crazy. I said if they beat the Cowboys...then they're going to the Super Bowl. I'm not an Eagles fan, but I said they was going to go...I said that on our west coast trip and they thought I was crazy! I said if the Raiders win, and the Bears lose...I said something has to be going on, and if they get the win against the Cowboys...then they gotta go, it's too crazy...that was crazy, and now they're on their way!

GAME TIME with AG: Talk about Donovan McNabb:

Andre Iguodala: "McNabb, that's my dude, so I'm hoping he gets one [ring]...the media needs to get off his back!"

The hard work and determination is paying off for the Philadelphia 76ers, and while Iguodala is a San Francisco 49ers fan, he at least can tell a winner when he sees one, as I look forward to continuing this conversation later at practice.