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- Troy BallardWell, Iggy, it finally happened.
How many times did we sit during the off-season and listen to 'rumors' that you were being shopped around the NBA? Maybe for Monta Ellis one season and then for draft picks and cash considerations the next. But yet, somehow, you always managed to be there on opening day.
And for the most part, I was content with having you back year after year. You never were going to blow us fans away with some out of this world performance, but if nothing else, Iggy, you were consistent.
Smothering defense, perfect passing skills, excellent court vision, solid rebounding, wicked slams, and an average jump shot. That was our Iguodala on the Sixers.. and we never appreciated him.
Not once. That's what makes me sick.
We had every glorious opportunity as fans of the Sixers to applaud you for what you did — play a damn good game of basketball. Never, not once, did we sit back and think, we're lucky to have this guy.
No. Instead, we critiqued every single move that you made. It was the inconsistent jumper, your lack of push to the rim and that irritating-drive-us-crazy-passiveness towards everyone and everything. That absence of response in games, to the media, fans and other players was something that made us want to throw you out of Philly for the rest of eternity.
We wanted something more. We needed something more.
Iggy, we wanted you to be AI. Badly. We wanted you to be the next Allen Iverson.
Fact is, you're not. Never have been, never will be. It's not only a totally different skill set, but the single most opposite personalities imaginable. It was hoping that that Charlie Manuel would be more like Andy Reid. Like telling Michael Vick to be more like Donovan McNabb.
It wasn't happening.
And we resented you for it. Because we were callus and cold. We didn't see the big picture. Somehow, we missed that you were the superstar we needed to win and build around. Instead of embracing you for what you were Iggy, we pushed away and begged for trades and a better talent.
Wish granted.
The Sixers jumped in on the Dwight Howard mega-deal and landed (in most relevant opinions) the second-best center in the NBA, Andrew Bynum. It's supposed to be the saving grace of the Philadelphia 76ers. At long last — we have a true superstar.
But you know what, Andre, it doesn't feel good. I don't feel any reason to celebrate and dance in the streets that the Sixers landed Bynum. In fact, I don't feel like that at all. And for the first time in my life — I really wish you were suiting up in Philly next season.
Enjoy Denver, Iggy. I'm sure that entire Nuggets organization will appreciate you much more than we ever did in Philadelphia. That being said, I hand you a full apology for the boo's-jeer's-and damn it trade him's over the seasons.
We'll miss you, despite not being Iverson.
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