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New, Notes and Quotes - Nov. 17, 2004
Each Wednesday, Sixers.com will compile news, notes and quotes from Sixers players and coaches from the week and games to give a mid-week report on the happenings on the court. posted Nov. 17, 2004
Glenn Robinson returned to the 76ers on Tuesday, Nov. 16 after spending the last two weeks dealing with a family matter unrelated to basketball. Robinson, who lost his starting job to rookie Andre Iguodala, was hoping that the Sixers could work out a trade in his absence. That scenario has not played out yet. “We will explore (our options). He understands that, but until that time, it’s basketball,” 76ers President and General Manager Billy King said of Robinson’s return. Robinson, who has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season, will participate in 76ers practices. “I am not going to put a timetable on (his return from the injured list) because today’s shootaround was a shootaround. Tomorrow will be a practice, and we’ll go from there. There’s not a timetable.” “Yeah, I am,” Robinson answered when asked if he was disappointed about not being moved. “but what can I do, but just keep working hard, staying in shape and know whenever my number is called, be ready.” With over two weeks of the season having elapsed, Robinson will need to get back up to speed on the Sixers plays and timing on both offense and defense. “I think Glenn would prefer to be with another basketball team. Nothing worked out from a standpoint of trades, and he is going to work himself back into shape,” Head Coach Jim O’Brien said. “(We’ll) see if he can earn playing time with us. If a deal can be worked out, (then he’ll) be in shape to play for another basketball team.”
Aaron McKie knew something was not right with his left shoulder when he headed to the bench midway through the third quarter against New Jersey on Nov. 10. “We came to the bench and it was just hurting too bad,” McKie recalled after slapping the ball away from Richard Jefferson and grabbing his arm. While the initial diagnosis immediately after was a left shoulder rotator cuff strain, a subsequent MRI on Monday revealed a tear of the labrum. The 10-year pro unfortunately has had experience with that kind of injury, twice having surgery on his right shoulder for repairing labrum detachments. The first was on Oct. 9, 2001, that forced him to miss training camp and the first four games of the 2001-02 season and then again on June 18, 2002 . McKie would go on to play 80 games in 2002-03. “Aaron is anxious to get back and started practicing,” O’Brien said. “He wants to be a little more aggressive than maybe the medical people would like him to be.” Right now, surgery is not an option. “I mean it’s something I’ve been through before,” McKie said. “We tried everything in the book, needles, rest, none of it worked. Talking to the experts, the doctors, they say a little rest, but you know as an athlete, once you get back out there and … get that big hit you are going to be back to square one.” After resting a few more days, McKie will get back out on the practice floor to see where his shoulder is at. “At least if I go back out there and see how I feel, then I know what I really know what I have to deal with.”
Eight games into the regular season, rookie Andre Iguodala does not show any signs of relinquishing the starting role he earned over Robinson. Iguodala has impressed the coaching staff, earned the respect of his teammates and won over the fans. “Very early in the preseason he showed that not only is he ready to play in the NBA, but he is a quick learner, very intelligent, unselfish and he works his butt off every day,” Head Coach Jim O’Brien assessed. “He doesn’t ever waste any time and those are all ingredients that will allow a young man to succeed quickly in this league.” Iguodala has scored in double figures four times in this young season, including scoring 11 points against Orlando on Nov. 14 and leading the team in rebounding with eight boards, all while guarding Grant Hill. O’Brien was particularly impressed with the pressure and harassment Iguodala applied to Hill. “He harassed Grant Hill with his hands. Stole passes. Got his hands on balls. So, he is a kind of a guy who has pretty good understanding that he can help our basketball team in a number of ways,” O’Brien said. Among the rookie class, Iguodala is fourth in scoring (8.8 ppg), fifth in rebounds (5.5 ppg), fifth in assists (2.3 apg), first in three-point shooting (.412), first in free throw percentage (.826), second in steals per game (1.63 spg), and fourth in blocks (1.00 bpg) all while averaging 29.1 minutes per game. His steals numbers are particually impressive in that he is tied for 12th among all players with 13 total. Iguodala became the first rookie to start on opening night since 2001-02, when Speedy Claxton started at Minnesota (10/30/02). He made his debut in the season-opener at Boston and scored 8 points. In two seasons at University of Arizona, Iguodala posted career totals of 594 points (9.6 ppg), 409 rebounds (6.6 rpg) and 95 steals (1.53 spg) in 62 games (34 starts) under head coach Lute Olson.
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