Death to Defense? Sixers Consider Amare-Iguodala Swap

by T. Ziller
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/02/06/death-to-defense-sixers-consider-amare-iguodala-swap/

It’s unclear whether the newly sprouting rumor sending Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert to Phoenix for Amare Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa has some seed of mutual interest, or if it’s another one of those single-sided team plants. But suffice it to call it intriguing, even if Kate Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes that Amare’s contract situation is a snag.

Essentially, Philadelphia would be losing its two best defenders. In exchange, it would receive two players whose existence in the NBA relies solely on scoring the basketball. In the past (meaning in years prior), Philly had won games due to an explosive defense leading to transition baskets. The defense was the key part of it. Iguodala, Andre Miller and Louis Williams hit enough shots to make it work (if getting into the playoffs and spooking the Pistons and Magic can be considered success).

But Eddie Jordan took over this summer, and the defense just fell apart. It has recovered a bit of late, but Philadelphia spent the first six weeks of the season among the worst three defenses in the league. Golden State territory. The offense had been OK to that point, but the roster has corrected itself, and as of today the defense is somewhat below average (far below expectations) and the offense is somewhat below average (about even with expectations).

So you have a coach whose defense is underperforming — and you’re going to remove two of his three good-to-great defenders? (Thaddeus Young would be No. 3.) And in the rotation, the replacement up front will be Amare, whose never been confused with a stopper? In the backcourt, you’d be rolling with something like Williams-Allen Iverson-Young. I’m sorry, but that’s regression, my friends. That’s just mediocre basketball in a different format.

Philadelphia has two power forwards who can score well — Marresse Speights (19 points per 36 minutes, 50 percent FG%) and Elton Brand (16.6 on 49 percent). Amare is superior, but post scoring not exactly the biggest need right now. To relinquish a defensive star like Iguodala in such a move is simply short-sighted.