Why is Iguodala getting the Kawhi treatment

[seancally]

This has been really bugging me. Why has Iguodala been able to get out of his Memphis situation without an ounce of negative press? Why are people talking about Iggy like he's THE chip that can swing the title? Sure he can be a helpful player on the fringes. But the guy is 36, hasn't played a game since June (not like he was a world-beater in June, either) and just forced his way off a team he wasn't even playing for, just collecting checks and talking to venture capitalists.

Kawhi was similarly childish in San Antonio, but at least there was some sort of injury and he felt it wasn't handled right... more importantly, he's a legit superstar, and those guys just get the benefit of the doubt. Iggy is not. Maybe he'll prove me wrong. Just think the guy has been hugely overrated, rewarded handsomely for acting like a jerk, and keeps getting praise despite having proven nothing and acting like a prima donna.

/endrant

[ozgod]

Honestly, I don't remember anyone talking about Iggy like he's Kawhi...in fact I don't remember anyone talking about him at all, at least until he got traded. He's been the forgotten man of the NBA.

I guess a big part of the reason there hasn't been scrutiny of him is because Memphis agreed from the start to trade him and agreed that he stay in the Bay Area while they found someone they could trade him to. Compared to Kawhi where clearly the Spurs didn't want to let him go and there was all the mystery about his injury.

[Roy H.]

I don’t blame Iguodala.  He made an agreement with Memphis, and they honored it.

Memphis didn’t have to agree to let him stay home. They could have fined him / withheld his salary. They didn’t, so it’s fine to me from an outside perspective.  The only people who should have beef are his Memphis teammates.

In terms of impact, if he shakes the rust off he’s still an elite defender, maybe the only guy who plays equally excellent defense on both Harden and Lebron.  He’s not a superstar, but he and Butler are an excellent combo to throw at teams with two good wings.

[indeedproceed]

This has been really bugging me. Why has Iguodala been able to get out of his Memphis situation without an ounce of negative press? Why are people talking about Iggy like he's THE chip that can swing the title? Sure he can be a helpful player on the fringes. But the guy is 36, hasn't played a game since June (not like he was a world-beater in June, either) and just forced his way off a team he wasn't even playing for, just collecting checks and talking to venture capitalists.

I'd say that the way his teammates comments were covered in the media was pretty unflattering to Iggy. But also, Kawhi tried to get out of SAS spotless and didn't exactly succeed either.

[Smartacus]

This has been really bugging me. Why has Iguodala been able to get out of his Memphis situation without an ounce of negative press? Why are people talking about Iggy like he's THE chip that can swing the title? Sure he can be a helpful player on the fringes. But the guy is 36, hasn't played a game since June (not like he was a world-beater in June, either) and just forced his way off a team he wasn't even playing for, just collecting checks and talking to venture capitalists.

I'd say that the way his teammates comments were covered in the media was pretty unflattering to Iggy. But also, Kawhi tried to get out of SAS spotless and didn't exactly succeed either.

That being said I don't really think too highly of how Ja Morant handled himself in that situation. Passive aggressively retweeting anti Iggy post came across as childish to me.

I respect his game and ability but I wouldn't want him leading my team without a rock solid locker room around him.

[RockinRyA]

Well he had an agreement with the team beforehand, so people are giving him a pass coz of that.

This isnt a Keith Bogans situation.

[nickagneta]

I don’t blame Iguodala.  He made an agreement with Memphis, and they honored it.

Memphis didn’t have to agree to let him stay home. They could have fined him / withheld his salary. They didn’t, so it’s fine to me from an outside perspective.  The only people who should have beef are his Memphis teammates.

In terms of impact, if he shakes the rust off he’s still an elite defender, maybe the only guy who plays equally excellent defense on both Harden and Lebron.  He’s not a superstar, but he and Butler are an excellent combo to throw at teams with two good wings.

TP, could not state my position any better.

[GreenEnvy]

I find the whole thing pretty ridiculous. First and foremost, he’s wildly overrated. Memphis helps Golden State by basically paying his salary for a future first, allowing them to sign Russell. Obvious that Iguodala won’t play for them, they refuse to buy him out for 90% of his contract, so they let him stay home.

I’m sure Riley spoke directly to him/his reps to get this done. And now he’s posting videos about how he should be a case study on black athletes determining their path or something like that. It’s amazing how entitled NBA players are compared to other sports. The guy is making $17.2M this year and he doesn’t feel the need to go to work because he got traded. Take a (much) lesser salary to secure a NTC if that’s what you desire. Instead you take the maximum offered and don’t feel the CBA applies to you.

[GreenFaith1819]

I find the whole thing pretty ridiculous. First and foremost, he’s wildly overrated. Memphis helps Golden State by basically paying his salary for a future first, allowing them to sign Russell. Obvious that Iguodala won’t play for them, they refuse to buy him out for 90% of his contract, so they let him stay home.

I’m sure Riley spoke directly to him/his reps to get this done. And now he’s posting videos about how he should be a case study on black athletes determining their path or something like that. It’s amazing how entitled NBA players are compared to other sports. The guy is making $17.2M this year and he doesn’t feel the need to go to work because he got traded. Take a (much) lesser salary to secure a NTC if that’s what you desire. Instead you take the maximum offered and don’t feel the CBA applies to you.

I don't think Andre (or other Black Athletes) are entitled at all...

It is MORESO someone like him placing himself into a position to reap a LEGAL benefit that is his RIGHT......

Other races / ethnicities - have did this for AGES.......

I look forward to beating AI (and MIA) if we meet in the playoffs but as far as him reaping these benefits I applaud him.

[jambr380]

I agree with the OP. I am not exactly sure what happened between him and MEM after the trade last summer, but discussions couldn't have gone well if the agreement was, 'stay away from the team and we'll trade you when we can.' Even worse, MEM has actually been pretty good this year and they could have used a winning, gritty veteran wing in their locker room and on the court.

I am of the mindset that if you sign a contract, then you should be expected to honor it. MEM has been more than flexible here - I imagine as to not be painted as villains to players across the NBA. I am glad they got a great deal out it rather than buying out Iggy so that he could go join the Lakers.

[fairweatherfan]

I find the whole thing pretty ridiculous. First and foremost, he’s wildly overrated. Memphis helps Golden State by basically paying his salary for a future first, allowing them to sign Russell. Obvious that Iguodala won’t play for them, they refuse to buy him out for 90% of his contract, so they let him stay home.

I’m sure Riley spoke directly to him/his reps to get this done. And now he’s posting videos about how he should be a case study on black athletes determining their path or something like that. It’s amazing how entitled NBA players are compared to other sports. The guy is making $17.2M this year and he doesn’t feel the need to go to work because he got traded. Take a (much) lesser salary to secure a NTC if that’s what you desire. Instead you take the maximum offered and don’t feel the CBA applies to you.

The CBA applying to him is exactly why he kept getting paid despite not playing. Memphis had the right to fine him for not showing up but chose not to. Ownership should change the CBA if they want this to not happen again, or Memphis should change their position on fining people.

That said I think Iggy doesn't have much left in the tank. Miami probably doesn't get much benefit out of this.

[Phantom255x]

What I'm wondering is, how does Iguodala suddenly make the Heat "the favorites" for the 2 seed. I could understand if they got back Gallinari too, but Iggy is a glorified role player who hasn't played so far this season and is 36 y/o. But he's the guy that pushes the Heat from the 4 seed to being favorites for the 2 seed according to the media??

[nickagneta]

What I'm wondering is, how does Iguodala suddenly make the Heat "the favorites" for the 2 seed. I could understand if they got back Gallinari too, but Iggy is a glorified role player who hasn't played so far this season and is 36 y/o. But he's the guy that pushes the Heat from the 4 seed to being favorites for the 2 seed according to the media??

I saw a bunch of people flying the "Miami is #2 in the East" flags when it was understood the Iggy trade involved OKC sending Gallinari as well. Are people still waving that flag now that the deadline is over and Miami didn't get Gallo but did get Crowder?

Sorry for asking but I have stayed away from the media evaluations of the trade deadline? I think Miami and Philly might have gotten marginally better but not enough for them to be better than a healthy Toronto or Boston team.

[Phantom255x]

What I'm wondering is, how does Iguodala suddenly make the Heat "the favorites" for the 2 seed. I could understand if they got back Gallinari too, but Iggy is a glorified role player who hasn't played so far this season and is 36 y/o. But he's the guy that pushes the Heat from the 4 seed to being favorites for the 2 seed according to the media??

I saw a bunch of people flying the "Miami is #2 in the East" flags when it was understood the Iggy trade involved OKC sending Gallinari as well. Are people still waving that flag now that the deadline is over and Miami didn't get Gallo but did get Crowder?

Sorry for asking but I have stayed away from the media evaluations of the trade deadline? I think Miami and Philly might have gotten marginally better but not enough for them to be better than a healthy Toronto or Boston team.

Well they were saying it all yesterday, but they never even acknowledged the possibility of Gallinari being on the team either. I guess if they acquired him too, they'd catch MIL for #1 

[Roy H.]

What I'm wondering is, how does Iguodala suddenly make the Heat "the favorites" for the 2 seed. I could understand if they got back Gallinari too, but Iggy is a glorified role player who hasn't played so far this season and is 36 y/o. But he's the guy that pushes the Heat from the 4 seed to being favorites for the 2 seed according to the media??

I’m the biggest Iggy fan on this blog, but his value isn’t in regular season wins. Instead, it’s in playoff defense.  I don’t think he will change seeding much at all.