EXCLUSIVE | Andre Iguodala: “76ers got something special in the making”

Pat McCaw right here had the half-time speech, letting guys know, you know, it’s bigger than us; we have to come with it every single night. Every game we play, teams come out against us, throwing the first punch. They try to get off in a lead, the crowd’s into it, and every game we play is a huge game. At halftime, we woke up a little bit, and made the right adjustments, going on our little runs.

Now going back to your experiences with the Sixers. You played for the Sixers from 2004 to 2012; this team drafted you. You were an All-Star here in 2012, and also in 2011 you were on an All-Defensive team. So coming back to this team, do you still feel like you have a bond with this organization in regards to the players, staff, and things like that?

Well I still have a good relationship with a lot of people here, even with the new majority stake guys; Mr. Harris and a few others, so it’s all love. The training staff, and all those guys are still here. They all took care of me, all good people. So, you know, those relationships will always last. But, it’s interesting when you’re traded, you’re always asked: “do you have an attachment to the city?” But, when you leave and sign for free agency, they tell you you’re a trader; it’s interesting how that works. But, you know, it’s all good here, a lot of love. I grew up here, mentally. As far as you know, learning the ins and outs of the NBA, business side, media side, I learned a lot and it helped me kinda grow.

Coming with the young core of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, they’re the talk of the NBA right now when it comes to young players. Where do you see this team going in years to come?

I think they do a really good job of putting the key, the right guys around them. You know, they have some good shooting around them. Redick and Covington keep the floor spaced, so those two guys can attack. Saric, is a good shooter, inside/outside guy. Everyone compliments the other pieces, which is something we have here. If they continue to build on that, they got something special in the making.