Warriors Andre Iguodala Has Emerged and Appears to be Playoff Ready

Though it may had seemed as if he took a step back in the regular season, Golden State Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala looks primed and ready for the rest of the postseason.

The Golden State Warriors took a 2-0 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, winning 116-101. All the usual suspects contributed to the victory. Kevin Durant led the way with 32 points and Klay Thompson stayed hot, scoring 31 points.

But the wildcard in the game was the play of Andre Iguodala. Steve Kerr made the decision to start Iguodala in Game 1 at point guard because he wanted his best defensive team on the floor from the beginning. Iguodala played well in Game 1, controlling the tempo and playing solid defense. But in Game 2, Playoff Iguodala emerged and he was back.

Iguodala scored 14 points, hitting four of his five three-pointers while contributing seven rebounds and five assists. It was a throwback game for Iguodala, showing his ridiculous athleticism and sweet stroke from downtown. It was his best game all season, reminding the Oracle crowd and the NBA what he brings to the Warriors.

All season, fans and critics alike were the asking the simple question: Was Iguodala done? All signs were pointing to yes if you watched the first half of the season. Iguodala looked disinterested, passing up open shots to the point that he would overpass and often disrupt the Warriors’ rhythm. When he did actually shoot, the results were horrible.

Before the All-Star break, Iguodala was shooting career lows from the field, 44 percent, and three-point range, 23 percent while scoring just five points per game. He was clearly having his worst season on his career.

Critics thought Iguodala was a candidate for the most overpaid player in the NBA due to these atrocious numbers and making $16 million. He began to turn around his season after the All-Star break.

After the break, we saw a new Iguodala. He shot over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range. He got back into a rhythm with that bounce we have all grown accustomed to.

But the last two weeks of the season, Iguodala nursed a sore left knee, which made everyone think that this injury would hamper him in the postseason. This would not be the case.

On Monday night, Iguodala looked spry, focused and pumped throughout the game. He set the tone early in the first quarter, hitting the Warriors only three three-pointers of the quarter and almost baptized LaMarcus Aldridge on a missed tomahawk dunk. If he would have put that down, it might have been one of his best dunks ever.

Iguodala’s aggressiveness was necessary because the Warriors could not get into any type of offensive rhythm or flow. The Spurs’ stifling defense and the Warriors’ poor decision making forced them to turn the ball over seven times.

The Warriors looked lost on offense as the Spurs dictated tempo and forcing the Warriors to play isolation ball. As a result, the Warriors never found their rhythm in the first half and the result was a six-point deficit at halftime.

In the second half, we saw a much different Warriors team and Iguodala spearheaded the comeback. Iguodala’s defense was superb in the third quarter, blocking a Dejounte Murray jumper, forcing a jump ball and leading the break after a defensive rebound.

All of these defensive stands led to layups and a renewed rhythm and flow. The Warriors took a five-point lead into the fourth quarter, a lead they would never relinquish.

In the fourth, Iguodala’s offense was on display. He entered with 7:21 left and promptly found Thompson for a mid-range jumper and a three-pointer. Thompson’s three put the Warriors up by 12 but Iguodala was not done. This time he let his scoring do the talking.

Throughout the game, Manu Ginobili guarded Iguodala, often picking him up full-court, an unusual tactic for the 16-year veteran. Ginobili harassed Iguodala, often reaching in and being physical with him without committing a foul. Iguodala was clearly frustrated with Ginobili’s defense due to his physicality and took out all of his frustration on one play.

After Patty Mills hit three free throws, Iguodala brought the ball upcourt. He got by Ginobili at midcourt, passed the ball to Draymond Green and asked for the lob from Green. Green delivered it and Iguodala threw it down.

After the slam, Iguodala turned around and gave Ginobili a menacing stare, basically reminding Ginobili to not mess with him. The next possession, Iguodala hit a wing three, his fourth of the game, essentially icing the game.

Next: Warriors look to extend series lead in San Antonio

If Iguodala continues to play like he did on Monday night, the Warriors are unbeatable. Iguodala is that calming force the Warriors need and when Stephen Curry returns, he will essentially become the Warriors sixth starter. We are seeing Playoff Iguodala, which is a scary proposition for the rest of the NBA and another weapon for the defending champions.