#9 | Small Forward
Springy Andre Iguodala Gives Warriors a Boost
A simple hesitation move froze the entire Memphis defense. The pause created an opening and Andre Iguodala sliced through it, soaring for a tomahawk dunk.
Iguodala’s hesitations normally prevent explosive dunks, not create them. He’s known to drive and look for the pass, avoiding the rim like a tough conversation. But in the 106-94 win over the Grizzlies, Iguodala was a slashing, bouncing scorer. He recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench.
But this wasn’t a one-night flash. The 33-year-old has been springy for a while now. He’s been driving the lane with zeal, posting up smaller guards like he is insulted by their defense. And when he’s near the rim, he’s looking to throw it down.
It’s late March. The season is 70 games old. Why is the 13-year veteran looking so fresh this time of year?
“Yoga and cryotherapy,” Iguodala said. “And salt floating.”
Outside of seeing Kevin Durant back in uniform, the most welcomed sight for Warriors fans has to be Iguodala playing like a 25-year-old.
Since Durant got hurt, Iguodala’s production has ticked up noticeably. He averaged 11.6 points on 61.8 percent shooting in March, easily his best month of the season.
He is still the secret weapon, the special ingredient in the Warriors’ high-powered engine. Iguodala carving up defenses and locked on to opposing stars is the best indicator of the Warriors’ championship potential. Because if he’s playing well, on top of the four All-Stars, that typically means the Warriors are unstoppable.
“He’s been fantastic,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He looks incredibly athletic, bouncy and fresh. He’s a pro. The guy just knows how to take care of his body. I think he’s done a great job of stepping up in KD’s absence and recognizing what we need from him. He’s been brilliant.”
A sure starter on most other teams in the league, sixth man Andre Iguodala shoots from the perimeter during the Warriors’ Game 2 victory in the NBA Finals. (Ray Chavez/Staff)
He has already eclipsed last season’s minutes total. Yet Iguodala is getting stronger.
Can it really be 7:30 am yoga sessions a few times a week? He gets cryotherapy — a recovery method using cold temperatures — every home game. He’s been hitting the spa to float in epsom salt more frequently.
Is that why he leads the Warriors in field goal percentage since Durant went down? Is that why he is shooting 44 percent from 3 in that span?
If it is, the Warriors can only hope he continues. An aggressive Iguodala on offense is a boon to the Warriors’ bench and a pressure-release for the starters. He is a demoralizer, gut punches for a defense that has to work incredibly hard to contain Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.
Iguodala attacking and making plays is an immediate jolt, especially when the Warriors are struggling. And after the worst stretch in the Kerr era, Iguodala’s impact was desperately needed.
“He brings so much energy off the bench with all sorts of different lineups,” Curry said. “His ability is always evident. It shows up all across the stat sheet. He’s aggressive with scoring and knocking down shots. Playing inspired basketball, it’s unbelievable. We feed off of his energy when we see him get a rebound, get a steal, push up the court, make a crazy inside-out dribble and finish at the rim, knock down open threes, play make for other guys. It’s fun to watch. He always says, ‘Y’all forget that I can play basketball, too.’ But we don’t forget that and we love to see it.”
Always energetic, Andre Iguodala shadowboxes prior to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Staff)
If this is the Iguodala the Warriors can expect in the playoffs, they will be tough to beat. When Durant returns from injury, the load will lighten for Iguodala. But if the confidence he’s built, and the fresh legs he’s exhibiting, sticks around for the postseason, it solves a lot of the issues the Warriors have off the bench.
If this is the Iguodala the Warriors can expect in the playoffs, they should probably start getting used to life without him. A productive postseason is sure to drive the price up for the pending free agent.
Since they have to sign Durant and Curry, the Warriors won’t have much money to offer their sixth man. Which means if Iguodala gets a lucrative deal elsewhere, he’d be forced to choose between one last big pay day and offering a discount to the franchise with which he’s reinvented himself.
That sounds like something to ponder in the salt float.