Andre Iguodala Was Key to Golden State Warriors' NBA Championship
Finals MVP wasn't a starter this season, but he was just what Warriors needed.
— -- The MVP of the 2015 NBA Finals isn't a superstar, lacking the name recognition of Stephen Curry and LeBron James.
The Most Valuable Player wasn't even a starter this season.
No, the Bill Russell Award was handed to Golden State Warriors shooting guard Andre Iguodala, a steady veteran player who scored 25 points in Tuesday’s championship-clinching 105-97 win.
The Springfield, Illinois native, 31, was drafted in 2004 and played with the Philadelphia 76ers for the first eight seasons of his career. He later spent one season in Denver before signing with Golden State in 2013.
The Warriors’ acquisition of Iguodala marked a flashpoint in the team’s push for its first title since 1975, signaling a shift from a free-agent wasteland to a destination. Iguodala’s wanting to play for Golden State brought credibility to the team’s ascent and helped to round out the roster beyond backcourt mates Curry and Klay Thompson.
Iguodala averaged 16.3 points, 4 assists and 5.8 rebounds during the Finals. He was also tasked with guarding James, holding the self-described best player in the world to 38.1 percent shooting from the field. He earned his first start of the season in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Warriors won that game, 103-82, and the next two after that with Iguodala in the starting lineup.
Iguodala hugged Curry after the Game Six victory, champions at last.
"This was awesome," Iguodala said following his team’s victory. "We talked about staying strong, stay with it. That was Coach's motto the whole playoffs. Stay with it. They kept fighting. This is unreal."
Beyond the court, Iguodala is known for his humanitarian work. He established the Andre Iguodala Disaster Relief Fund in 2006 to assist tornado victims in his hometown of Springfield. He’s also fashion-focused, offering style insights on his website, Mindofai9.com.
Iguodala won gold medals playing for the USA Men’s National Team at the 2012 Olympics and 2010 FIBA World Championship. Now he has a new item for his trophy case. Following Tuesday’s ceremony, Iguodala let his 7-year-old son, also named Andre, carry the Bill Russell Award.
“He did, like great, very good,” the boy said, echoing his father’s words, a championship cap draped over his ears. “He was balling. Hitting buckets all day.”
“What are we gonna work on?” the father said.
“Free throws,” the son said.
“No love! No love,” the NBA Finals MVP responded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.