Iguodala Isn’t Down With ‘Iggy Hop’ Nickname

So yesterday it came out that, besides being officially super-wealthy now, Sixers star-in-limbo Andre Iguodala hates his nicknames. Speaking to The Daily News, Iguodala stated: “I don’t like ‘Iggy,’ I don’t mind ‘The Other A.I.,’ It just shows the fans are watching basketball and know what I do. I want to be ‘Dre, that’s it.”↵
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↵Well, for starters, I don’t get how “The Other A.I.” shows that fans “know what [you] do.” It’s kind of the opposite of that. But left out of all this was a novel variation on “Iggy” that briefly reared its head in 2005. Yes, that would be “Iggy Hop.”↵

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It came from the mouth of Snapper Jones, which made it especially jarring -- not to stereotype, but I’d never really taken Jones for a fan of drugged-out, self-destructive proto-punk. Now, I don’t know if Iguodala’s dislike for James Newell Osterburg, or the city of Detroit, played a role in his rejection of the “Iggy” nickname. I do know that, by itself, “Iggy” refers to among other things, the Loyola Marymount mascot and a Mario Brothers character. Oh, and Ellen’s dog, and sort of that comic strip “Ziggy.” But since Iguodala’s struggled to defined himself on the court and in the national power, and is best known for his overpowering athleticism, why doesn’t the Sixers swingman hold his nose and take on the “Iggy Hop” nickname? In this post-“Party Like a Rockstar” world, this kind of thing’s okay with the base, and opens up the door for all sorts of crossover marketing and funny videos.↵↵Put it this way: Iguodala’s first choice, “Dre,” is at best just his first name shortened, at worst, a really unimaginative way to evoke the good Doctor. Now really, if you’re Iguodala’s people, what’s a better gimmick: Sort of ripping off an aging rap mogul (paging Bobby “Russell” Simmons ... ), or striking off into uncharted NBA territory? Matt Watson asked if players can choose their own nicknames; not sure they can do it by themselves, but their representation should be able to.↵

↵↵Iguodala has a chance to be this summer’s second Josh Childress. And instead, he’s pissing it away. ↵

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