Tag Archives: Andre Iguodala

How Ja Morant Can Legitimately Ruin Iguodala’s Career

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No this is not clickbait. There is a very real possibility that if Andre Iguodala does not get it together, he could be done this season and perhaps on the doorsteps of retirement. Here’s how.

Now, Twitter has been having an absolute blast with Ja’s recent likes/posts. Let’s review:

First, reports emerge that Iguodala refuses to play basketball for the Grizzlies if he is not traded. Memphis, honorably, obliges his request.

Then, chaos begins. Ja Morant is initially subtle about his thoughts, but soon people quickly realize this guy is gonna go full nuke.

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Personally, I love it. Ja has quickly become the darling of the NBA, and Iguodala is an absolute diva to pull a move like this. You won’t play basketball, the sport you worked your whole life to play, because you’re team isn’t the Monstars from Space Jam anymore? Get outta here.

But what’s the cherry on top? Well, Memphis has reportedly been cooperative, but these messages from Ja might change that soon. The Grizzlies are building around this guy, and they need to be 100% behind him. Rather than trading Iguodala to his preferred destinations, they could do something much more ruthless.

Normally, I’m for the players in these situations. But let’s just say some things are best served cold and after the playoff eligibility deadline.

It would be a real, real, real shame if Iguodala, a player who has contributed absolutely nothing to his current team, was cut in March and sent home to watch the NBA playoffs from his couch. Heaven forbid.

Game Preview – Oklahoma City Thunder @ Philadelphia 76ers (Game 35 of 66)

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The Oklahoma City Thunder start the second half of the season on the road, facing a 3 game East Coast swing. The trip starts in Philadelphia where they face the surprising Atlantic division leading Philadelphia76ers. This is the first, and only, meeting between these two teams for this season. The Thunder won both meetings last season, but each game was close, with one going into overtime.

The Opposition

The 76ers come into the game with a 21-14 record, good for 1st in the Atlantic division and 4th in the Eastern Conference. They trounced the Detroit Pistons in their previous game, but had lost their previous 5 games before the All Star break. The Sixers are very similar to the Denver Nuggets in that they don’t have an established superstar, but have good players and have a deep rotation. They have 10 players that average at least 17 minutes per game. They are the best defensive team in the league, in terms of points allowed, giving up only 87 points per game. They have 6 players who average double figures, led by their backcourt trio of Lou Williams (15.6 ppg), Jrue Holiday (13.5 ppg), and Andre Iguodala (12.3). The front court is led by veteran Elton Brand (10.1 ppg and 6.6 rpg) and Thad Young (12.9 ppg and 4.7 rbg). Starting center Spencer Hawes is out with an Achilles injury. Due to their versatility, the bench is one of the more stronger ones in the league, led by guards Evan Turner and Lou Williams, forward Thad Young, and rookie center Nikola Vucevic.

Probable Starting Line-ups

Philadelphia

  • PG – Jrue Holiday
  • SG – Jodie Meeks
  • SF – Andre Iguodala
  • PF – Lavoy Allen
  • C – Elton BrandΒ 

Oklahoma City

  • PG – Russell Westbrook
  • SG – Daequan Cook
  • SF – Kevin Durant
  • PF – Serge Ibaka
  • C – Kendrick Perkins

Match-up to Watch Out For

Russell Westbrook vs. Jrue Holiday

When Russell Westbrook was an unheralded sophomore, Jrue Holiday was the highly recruited freshman point guard that everyone was talking about. Needless to say, things have changed a bit since then. WhileHolidayhas begun to carve out his own niche in the league, Westbrook has taken the league by storm and become one of its top point guards. WhileHolidayis a better shooter, Westbrook is a better at getting into the paint due to his strength and height advantage.

3 In The Paint

  1. Like Denver, this is a team that constantly bombards you with fresh players. With 10 players that average over 17 minutes, this is the perfect team for this compacted schedule. The key for the Thunder will be to constantly drive the ball inside and try to get a few of the key players in foul trouble.
  2. Don’t expect to see Kendrick Perkins a lot in this game. The Sixers are very guard-oriented and their bigs are perimeter-oriented, except for Brand.Β  You’ll see a lot of small ball lineups with KD playing the 4 and Ibaka/Collison playing the 5.
  3. It will be key to limit the turnovers and guard the 3 point line. The Sixers have 5 rotation players that shoot over 38% from the 3-point line. The Sixers are No.1 in the league in turnover differential. They protect the ball, while forcing you to give it up.