What's Not to Love?

Since the day Allen Iverson was traded to the Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala hasn't been looked upon fondly by most Philadelphia basketball fans. As a diehard Sixer fan in my own right, the answer why still eludes me.

Okay, so he has a fat contract. Even if you don't think he's earning it (which he is), what is he supposed to do? Decline the Sixers' offer? Say, nahh, I think I'm worth 30 million less? Didn't think so.

So what's not to love (or rather, to hate him for)?

Is it his league-best perimeter defense, his ability to force superstars to a 30% shooting nights game after game, and be among the league leaders averaging 2.2 steals a game?

Is it his passing skills, where last season he averaged over six assists a game from the forward position?

Is it his willingness to improve aspects of his game, such as morphing himself into a 43% shooter from beyond the arc this year? Or his overall work ethic, something you can notice just by looking at him?

Is it his ballhandling and ability to play point forward, where he only turns the ball over two times a night?

More importantly, is it his unselfishness? His willingness to buy into the team aspect Doug Collins has implemented, rather than try to be the star of the team?

Maybe you find fault with his leadership ability, where he's led his Sixers to a 10-3 record, without any ego whatsoever.

Oh, wait, I know what the problem is. Sixers fans wanted another Allen Iverson, another superstar, another 30-a-night scorer, immediately coining Dre "The Next A.I." when he came out of Arizona.

But I'll tell you what. That's not Andre's game. He's not here to get into all-star games and win individual accolades (though he did play on last year's U.S. National Team, and is a finalist to make the Olympic squad), but rather to win basketball games through team play. The entire 76ers ballclub has bought into that, and Andre is no exception.

So do fans have a problem with Andre's scoring (14.8 ppg)? It doesn't matter, because Philly averages 100 points a game by getting contributions from every guy.

Do they see him as a failed attempt at trying to become a superstar? He's deferred final shot duties to Lou Williams, which is probably Doug Collins' decision. But has Andre complained at all? No.

Has he ever had any trouble with the media? Has he ever been a distraction in the locker room? Just the opposite. He's as humble as it gets, and a true professional.

So then what's the problem? Maybe as this Sixers group keeps winning games, he'll get the recognition from Philadelphia he deserves. Not that he wants it anyway.