Sixers' Iguodala relishes All-Star debut

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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Andre Iguodalas All-Star experience concluded with a 12-point, four-rebound, two-assist, one-steal and one-block performance in a 15 minute run on Sunday at the Amway Center.

His numbers helped the East nearly erase a 21-point deficit and close within a point on two occasions in the final minute. The West, however, prevailed, 152-149.

It was cool. I played with those guys before, Iguodala sai of his fellow All-Stars. When we got down the guys said cut the lead for us. And it was a good time.

Iguodala was shocked to hear he had only played 15 minutes, but he also said he enjoyed every one of them.

I did a lot in 15 minutes. I had fun. I had a lot of fun, the first time All-Star said. I wanted to make sure I scored, first of all. We got that taken care of early. And then I just wanted to get the rebound, push it on the break and run the floor. And then at least get back on defense and try and cut the deficit.

Iguodala scored 50 seconds after he stepped onto the floor on an alley-oop dunk from Rajon Rondo. During the second half, which Iguodala spent much of watching from the bench, he enjoyed the entertainment that surrounded him.

There was some trash talking going on on the bench and that was a lot of fun, Iguodala said of the final minutes when the competition got intense. That was probably the best part, Paul Pierce talking at the end.

Kevin Durant, playing in his third All-Star game, was named the MVP, a first in his career. He finished with 36 points on 14-for-25 shooting to lead the West in scoring.

It is just exciting to be named an All-Star, but to step it up another level and become MVP, it is something that as a kid you dream about, Durant said. Coming from where I come from, I didnt think I would be here. Everything has just been a blessing to me.

LeBron James also had 36 points for the East, 23 of which came in the second half. His 15-for-23 shooting included 6 for 8 from three-point range. Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade added a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

There was some history made during the game. First, the East allowed the West 88 points in the first half, the most ever at intermission for an All-Star team. Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, who was coaching the East and known for his brilliant defensive mind, tried to say little about the points allowed in the locker room, despite his team being down 19 at the break.

I think he was as calm as he could be, Iguodala said. And he kind of let us know they got 88 points in the first half and think about that. Thats a ton, so we clamped down in the second half and made the game good.

The other piece of history was Kobe Bryant becoming the all-time scorer in All-Star games. Bryant scored 27 points to bring his career total to 271. He surpassed Michael Jordan who finished his career with 262 points. Both players were named to a record 14 All-Star games, though Bryant played in one less because he was injured.

Overall, the All-Star weekend experience for the Sixers representative was all that he had hoped for and then some.

It was fun. The thing I am proud about for myself was that I made the most out of every situation, Igodala said. When we did NBA Cares, I had fun with that. When we had to sign 100 basketballs and jerseys I had fun with that. Talking with guys, the meetings, the practices, the fun everything was good for me.

Beam Me Up, Scottie
Prior to Sunday nights All-Star game experience, Iguodala tried to recall All-Star memories from watching the game on TV as a kid. He didnt have many. As a matter of fact, he really only had one that was vivid.

I remember Scottie Pippen had all red shoes. I want to say it was '95 and he won MVP, Iguodala said. I remember that. I don't know how, I just remember a lot of All-Star games as a kid. As I got older I didn't watched many All-Star games.

The year Pippen was the MVP was actually 1994. He is a guy who people say Iguodalas game resembles. Both guys filled out the stat sheet and both were questioned as to whether he was a true star.

As time went on, Pippen solidified himself as a star in his own right, not just Jordan s sidekick. He was named one of the NBAs 50 greatest players and he has six world championship rings.

Iguodala would love one day to have a conversation with the guy who wore those All-Star red shoes.

He had the greatest defense I have ever seen the way he guarded point guards, Iguodala said. Phil (Jackson) would put him on point guards, like Mark Jackson in the Indiana series. He would just swarm him after he got past half court. That is pretty tough to do, especially with the point guards that era had and the era we are in with Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams and Derrick Rose. I always wondered how he could do that.

Pippen was in attendance because they honored the 20th anniversary of the Dream Team with a video tribute during one of the timeouts. He was one of six members of that team on hand and they stood on stage to be acknowledged.

E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com

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