By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor
As a public relations major at Rowan University, I learned early on that face-to-face communication is the most effective form of delivering a message. Sixers coach Doug Collins believes in that philosophy and made it a point to meet with, arguably, the best player on his roster to talk about his expectations and how he can help said player become a star.
Collins and Andre Iguodala met in the office of Iggy’s agent in Los Angeles, and Collins delievered the same message to the Sixers small forward that he discussed during his media tour on Monday — he wants his player to enjoy the game again and become a First Team All-Defense player.
New Sixers coach wants to see more of this from Andre Iguodala, and less three-point attempts.
More importantly than that, what Collins said about the meeting should give Sixers fans hope that the new coach will actually put players in positions to succeed based on their strengths. He said he wants Iggy to rely less on long jumpshots and cut down on the number of three-balls he hoists.
Last season, Iguodala launched more than 300 three-point shots, making less than 100 of those attempts. For a guy who doesn’t have a great jumper that is too much, and Collins recognizes that.
Iguodala’s game is based on getting to the basket. He is at his best when he uses his athleticism to blow by people and dunk or lay the ball in. Think Allen Iverson cutting through the lane. That is exactly what Collins envisions and he wants Iggy to up his free throw attempts from 400-plus to more than 500.
Putting guys in a position to be the best based on their skill set. There’s a new concept in Sixerland.
