In last Fridays exhibition opener, Andre Iguodala took just six shots and did not score a single point in Washington. However, as coach Doug Collins pointed out, Iguodala had his fingerprints all over the game.
Iguodala led the team with five assists in the opener and squeezed off 10 shots for 13 points in Tuesday nights victory. Thats 16 shots in two games for a player who has averaged nearly 12 shots per game for his career.
Collins says Iguodala needs to think about shooting the ball more often.
I think hes been much more aggressive on offense in practice than he has in games and I told him he needs to carry that mindset into games, Collins said about Iguodala. Sometimes he gets so unselfish and he passes up shots that, that can become a little contagious. I think thats one of the things that hurt us last night because we passed up some shots early in the game.
During the past four seasons, Iguodalas scoring average has fallen every year, while his assists per game have risen. That means Iguodala is getting the ball just the same as always, only hes giving it up more often.
According to Collins, the opposing defense has been playing Iguodala as a pass-first offensive player, which contributed a bit to the Sixers 21 turnovers on Tuesday night.
If defenses are going to play him to pass, Collins says, Iguodala needs to make them pay.
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When he comes off screens in certain situations, I want him to shoot that ball. I want him to be a viable option out there where teams are going to be punished for playing for the pass, Collins said. I think last night Washington didnt respect us for some of the things we didnt do and they were playing us for the pass instead of the shot. Were a team that has to work hard for shots.
Regardless, the Sixers are a better team when Iguodala is on the floor no matter who hes paired with.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.