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Does Andre Iguodala Deserve NBA All-Star Consideration?

By Jordan Sams
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In Saturday's win over the Detroit Pistons, Andre Iguodala recorded the eighth triple double of his career and his self-alley oop appeared on highlight reels everywhere. The eight year veteran has averaged nearly 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists during his career and has unquestionably been the face of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise since Allen Iverson's departure. He, however, has yet to appear in an NBA All Star Game, and the Sixers as a team haven't had a player represent them in the All Star game since Iverson did so in 2006.

Igudoala and his coach, Doug Collins, addressed the possibility of Iguodala being an All Star after the game last night. (Both quotes from Tom Moore via Twitter).

#Sixers Iguodala on not being an all-star in first 7 seasons: "Honestly, I thought I got snubbed twice - once for sure."

#Sixers Collins: 'If we are at the top of the Atlantic Division, he (Iguodala) is going to be an all-star.'

The NBA All Star game is less than a month away. The question is, does Andre Iguodala warrant a spot on the Eastern Conference All Star team?

Let's look at the Eastern Conference All Stars last season. There's five starters, whom are voted in by the fans, and seven reserves chosen by the coaches. Starters: Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire. Reserves: Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett, Al Horford, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.

It's safe to say Iguodala won't be voted in as a starter, and Wade, Rose, D12 and LeBron are locks to return. That leaves seven reserve spots for Andre to be selected by the coaches. Here are the guys he's going to have to compete against for those final seven spots:

  • Guards: Joe Johnson, Brandon Jennings, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo
  • Forwards: Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Luol Deng, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett
  • Centers: Tyson Chandler, Greg Monroe, Joakim Noah, Roy Hibbert
Fortunately, 20 games into the season, Andre Iguodala has a lot working in his favor:

I'm assuming the fans will vote on a starting lineup of Rose and Wade in the backcourt, Bron and Melo as the forwards and Dwight as the center. I'm okay with that. One center – no more, no less – will be chosen, so that leaves six spots. I think Chris Bosh deserves to be there, so that leaves five.

Pierce, Garnett and Rondo will probably all be chosen, but Iguodala deserves to be there just as much as them and probably more than guys like Joe Johnson and Josh Smith.

A lot of Iguodala's push to become a first time All Star will depend on the Sixers performance these next few weeks. Like Collins said, if the Sixers continue to play well – despite the tough stretch upcoming – Iguodala has a great chance to end the Sixers' six year All Star drought. If they stumble against tougher competition, Iguodala has no shot, despite the great season he's turned in thus far.

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