Andre Iguodala's reputation has been that he's the best overall supporting non-star player in the league. A superb defender, a masterful passer, an athletic freak, with great hustle, work ethic, basketball IQ, and versatility. But his one limitation has always been the ability to hit the big shots. He put the Sixers into the Conference Semifinals by hitting key free throws over the Bulls. Against the Celtics in Game 4, he had eight points on 3-10 shooting from the field and 3-6 shooting from the line until the final two minutes of the game.
And then...
The first is just poor design by the Celtics. Iguodala is not a primary scorer as mentioned above, but Ray Allen can't be on him in that possession. The Sixers fielded a lineup of Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, Thaddeus Young, and Lavoy Allen. The Celtics countered with the Big 4 and Avery Bradley. The question is whether you want to go with Allen on Lou Williams with Williams being a dangerous but streaky one-on-one player, on Jrue Holiday who hasn't been a primary option late but has the best pure speed, or Andre Iguodala, who he surrenders far too much size to. As it stands, Iguodala used his size to ceate spacing.
The second one, nothing can be done. That's the only way to beat the Celtics, essentially. Pierce helped middle to cut off the drive, and the kickout was perfect, as was the catch and release. Pierce closes out with great effort, gets right to the edge, Iguodala just knocks it down. Sometimes they fall.
Iguodala has stepped up and delivered two huge wins for the Sixers in these playoffs. He's going to need two more, one on the road, if he wants to earn himself more chances.
Game 5 is Sunday.
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