The value of Iguodala

[BRAVE KID]

That's a trick with a fast-paced team like Karl designs. There are mixed results in the connection between pace and defensive efficiency, but a style of play that focuses on transition naturally puts a strain on players getting back constantly. And with more possessions, the margin of error becomes narrower. But the Nuggets with Iguodala this season have moved to the 13th-ranked defense in the league. That's all Karl wanted when the season began -- to be average-to-better-than-average.

And with Iguodala on the court? The Nuggets surrender just 100.1 points per 100 possessions, better than 8 points fewer than they do with him on the bench.

But wait, there's more! According to Synergy Sports, Iguodala is fifth among players (with 400 minimum possessions) in overall points per possession allowed, he causes the fifth-most turnovers of any player (with 100 possessions) guarding the pick and roll, and most important, he's the second best player in guarding players one on one, in isolation, minimum 50 possessions. He's the only wing player in the top five.

And yet those numbers don't do service to the intangibles or process of the work he does, guarding point guards, shooting guards, small forwards, power forwards. He switches from opponent to opponent, pressuring, contesting and making good possessions into bad.

What Iggy brings

Might want to read the entire article, it's a pretty good read might open some eyes and realize just what he does to the team.

[Katspinal1313]

I've read some bad things about him this season, but I haven't had one issue with him. He's exactly what I thought he would be, a stud who does all the little **** that wins you games.... Isn't going to put up crazy numbers but he is and was a perfect fit on a squad that has plenty of scorers.... I think we would be unstoppable with a solid outside shooter but Gallo has been filling that roll well recently. Count me as a huge Iggy fan.

[BirdIsTheWord]

If he had any sort of a consistent jump shot (or just stopped taking stupid shots) he'd be a perfect player. I wish his defense would rub off on the other guys though but that's not his fault.

[BRAVE KID]

And with Iguodala on the court? The Nuggets surrender just 100.1 points per 100 possessions, better than 8 points fewer than they do with him on the bench.

This says it all to me. I love AAAA to death but we were never that efficient with him on defense. Igua literally changes the defense. From crap to respectable....imagine if he had a couple other people buying into this mentality??

We'd be a top 5 team in the league. No doubt in my mind.

[C-Dub]

I've read some bad things about him this season, but I haven't had one issue with him. He's exactly what I thought he would be, a stud who does all the little **** that wins you games.... Isn't going to put up crazy numbers but he is and was a perfect fit on a squad that has plenty of scorers.... I think we would be unstoppable with a solid outside shooter but Gallo has been filling that roll well recently. Count me as a huge Iggy fan.

EXACTLY. some of you guys were so quick to hate on him. I said once the season went on, we got some home games, and Ill Will came back things would get better but yall decided to hate on iggy instead, what now??! lol

[SLY WILLIAMS]

I like Iggy because I see him as a team first player. I see him looking to set up 2-3 other guys. I do not think he is a great player because of his shooting/fts, and turnovers but I do think he is a good solid asset. I think some people may expect too much from him. I look at the positives that he brings as outweighing the negatives.

[IgglesFanInCO]

He's been one of my favorite players for a long time

that being said, he needs to be surrounded by shooters

there is NO instance where he should be in with a 2 pg lineup, its simply retarded, turns him into a shooter instead of a playmaker

Karl makes Iggy half as effective as he could be

[bahama0811]

I love Iggy and what he brings. His D alone has improved this team drastically. He does make some bad decisions at times but his effort on D definitely makes up for it.

[3iverson3]

yea Iggy was essential to this team. We never needed him to come and put up 18/game. We needed his all around game and his amazing defense. He doesn't need to score to be effective and for the nuggets to be effective.

We do need Lawson to score more and he has been doing just that. Gallo has been great as well and they are now winning. Even if Lawson or Gallo (especially him) have bad nights we can now look to the bench in Miller and finally Chandler.

[SLY WILLIAMS]

As much as I respect Iggy I still question the everything in the 3 guards hands closing of games for multiple reasons.

1. Ty and Miller are pretty bad defensively.
2. Iggy can not be counted on to hit late free throws
3. It sometimes leaves the team undersized
3. Iggy and Ty have committed multiple late game turnovers.

Two of the biggest keys to the last 5 minutes of games are stopping penetration and hitting free throws. Iggy plays defense but cant hit free throws. Miller hits free throws but his defense is really bad. I have seen teams target Ty on the pick and roll.

I do not have a perfect solution but I think this last 5 minute strategy could be a disaster waiting to happen come playoff time.

[3iverson3]

thats a coach dilemma. They should have Gallo or Chandler shooting the last shot (if it is a one on one). I hate the pick and roll with ty in the end of games because as soon as the defender comes to double on ty he will always pass. On last second shots, players should look to score and pass only if they have to. Ty wants to drive and kick every time and it always spells trouble.

[jt1bui]

I have always been for Iggy, that is why I was disappointed when several in here were lobbying for him to get traded. He brings a lot to this team. Karl doesn't want to have only one person to hit that game winner. He prefers for us to drive and then kick it out to the open player. Which is why he always runs a pick and roll. I think we should give Gallo or Ty the opportunity to run ISO and shoot the winner. That of course is up to Karl though.

[Poz303]

Good article and nice to see the statistical improvement in Nuggets D since Iggy joined. I think he has also improved his chemistry on the offensive side. We get a lot more fast break points now with Iggy.

He is prone to a few more turn-overs than I would like and his free-throw shooting could definitely improve but overall I think it has been a very positive addition to the roster and has made the nuggets a better team.

[JEDean89]

i think if we give kosta and faried 1-2 more years to hone their defense then we will be a top 10 defensive team in the nba and considering we're a top offensive team too, we should be really good. i think we have a devestating trio of wing defenders also in chandler, gallo and iggy. those 3 can really lock people down on the perimeter.