When the Golden State Warriors signed Andre Iguodala in the summer of 2013, it marked another turning point for the franchise.
The Warriors had just won a playoff series for the first time since 2007, beating Iguodala’s Nuggets in six games, yet they weren’t satisfied. Warriors brass knew they needed to add a veteran leader and solid wing defender and worked tirelessly to flip the expiring contracts of Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson plus some picks for Iggy.
Fast forward to this season and Iguodala, who was named All-Defensive First Team last season, is now coming off the bench and the Warriors have the best record in the Western Conference. Coincidence? Not a chance.
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The right man for the job
Though Igoudala averaged several career lows playing alongside the Splash Brothers, he still had a fine debut season for the Dubs, highlighted by his previously mentioned All-Defensive First Team selection. But it came at a price. Harrison Barnes, who flourished as a rookie and then went to another level in the playoff series vs. the Nuggets as a small-ball four when David Lee injured his right hip, had a hard time coming off the bench.
Ok, hard time is a bit of an understatement. It just wasn’t a good look for the second year wing out of North Carolina. Barnes’ field goal percentage dipped below 40% and he was relegated to trying to post up smaller players in Mark Jackson‘s iso-heavy offense. Whereas Barnes flourished running with Stephen Curry, he stagnated with the bench unit and looked lost at times. The Black Falcon was nowhere to be found.
When new coach Steve Kerr arrived, he had to make a tough decision. He had an influx of wing players and had to determine who would be best coming off the bench. Many people figured that Iguodala, a veteran who had never come off the bench in his entire 10 year career, would continue to start and Barnes would have to earn his stripes as a formidable sixth man. But Kerr had other ideas. He had seen Barnes’ inefficiencies trying to lead a bench unit and knew the savvy Iguodala could be much more effective in that role.
Iggy’s incredibly high basketball IQ, combined with ability to handle the ball and bring all-league defensive intensity to the court, were a perfect combination to lead the second unit. Plus, not playing starter’s minutes makes Iguodala fresh for crunch time when he generally plays with the starters and serves as another ball handler and tough defender.
The only problem: Kerr had to make Iguodala buy in, and it wasn’t easy at first. When Iguodala was asked about coming off the bench, he made no qualms about saying it wasn’t his first choice. Every player in the NBA wants to start. Iguodala was the go-to-guy during his time with Philadelphia and though a role player with the Warriors in his first season, he would now be a bench role player. But Iguodala is also smart enough to realize that this could benefit the team and as a leader of the Warriors accepted this role and has fully embraced it.
December 27, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) instructs guard Andre Iguodala (9) against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Timberwolves 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Winning cures all
If there was ever a doubt as to whether the Warriors should start Iguodala or Barnes, it was quickly erased by the 21-2 start this season. Barnes was back to his electrifying self and Iguodala was leading a surprisingly strong bench unit.
With the Warriors’ record now at a staggering 41-9, clearly the right decision was made. Barnes is now shooting an incredibly efficient 50% from the floor and is thriving in Kerr’s free-flowing, pass first offense.
From an outsider’s perspective, it may appear that Iguodala is having a down year. His stats across the board are down and he has been passive to a fault at times trying to get others involved.
But stats don’t tell the whole story. Though the Warriors haven’t found themselves in many close games this season, when they do, Iguodala will most likely be on the court during crunch time both due to his strong decision-making and elite defense.
And that defense shouldn’t be overlooked. Since his arrival, the Warriors have gone from 13th on defense to third in 2013-14 and currently sit atop the league in defensive rating this year. It’s part Iguodala’s strong leadership, and part defensive intensity and mindset rubbing off on other players. The Warriors have amassed a group of similarly sized, lanky defenders who can switch nearly every screen without allowing teams to create mismatches. Teams can’t find advantageous scenarios against the Warriors defense and are often forced to take late in the clock, well defended shots.
Reaching the next level
The Warriors win when Iguodala plays well; it’s simple as that. Just look at Iguodala’s stats in Warriors wins vs. losses to see his impact.
- In the 40 Warriors’ wins Iggy has played in, he is averaging 7.8 pts, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists shooting 48% from the field
- In the 8 Warriors losses he played, in he is averaging 4.3 pts, 2.5 rebounds, 2 assists and shooting 26.7% from the field.
And there are signs that Iguodala is improving. He finally seems fully healthy after battling knee issues early in the season. For the month of February, he is averaging 9.8 pts and 4.2 rebounds on 50% shooting. He has been more aggressive and fluid, which is a great sign. This is the Iguodala the Warriors need the rest of the way both as a leader of this team and as a formidable bench weapon.
The Warriors and Kerr took a risk moving Iguodala to the bench, but as leaders do, he has stepped up, embraced it. He set the path for David Lee to accept a similar role after being supplanted in the starting lineup by Draymond Green.
Iguodala’s willingness to accept a lesser role for the benefit of the team is one of the many reasons the Warriors currently sit atop the Western Conference. His growth in that role the rest of the way could prove pivotal to the Warriors’ championship aspirations.