USA - Karl ecstatic with arrival of Iguodala

DENVER (NBA/Olympics) - Andre Iguodala had a stunned look on his face the day he got the news of his trade from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Denver Nuggets.

One of the top defenders in the league, the small forward had helped the Sixers upset the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the NBA play-offs and then made the United States Olympic squad.

Iguodala was just hours away from playing for the Americans in the Semi-Finals of the London Games against Argentina in London when he got word that he'd play the following year in Colorado and not Philadelphia, where he'd spent the first eight seasons of his career.

When asked about the move following the USA's win over the Argentinians, Iguodala paused and then answered: "I'm happy to be in the NBA, happy to have a job.

"It's a blessing. Only 400 guys have the opportunity to play in the NBA and I'm wanted by some of those teams. And I'm wearing this (USA) jersey, so I'm happy."

Iguodala is not the only one who's happy.

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, who coached the USA at the 2002 FIBA World Championship, is thrilled to have him onboard.

"I love him, I can't deny I've been his fan for a long time," Karl said.

"I think he fits how we want to play. He's a rock.

"He's not a flamboyant player as much as being a consistently solid player on both ends."

Iguodala was a real star for the USA when they won the gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship and his defense was always highlighted.

Karl expects people to appreciate his offensive skills more now that he is with the high-scoring Nuggets.

"I think his offense, which has been written up that he's not this or that, I think he'll be freer here, more successful here," Karl said.

"The times I've been around him, he's just a no-nonsense type of player, a great athlete. He gives us another piece."

Iguodala may no longer be a Sixer, but he'll walk down memory lane for the Nuggets in their very first game of the regular season because it will be played at Philadelphia on 31 October.

Still only 28 years of age, Iguodala will be a strong candidate to play for the USA when they defending their title at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain in two years.

FIBA