Golden State Warriors: Why Andre Iguodala’s return matters

The move to sign Andre Iguodala was more than just fan service for the Golden State Warriors. Though Iggy has long been a favorite in the Bay area, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP is here to actually be utilized on the court.

Andre Iguodala is returning to the Golden State Warriors for more than nostalgia — he is here to make an instant impact on both ends of the floor.

At 37 years of age, Iguodala isn’t the same defensive weapon he once was. He isn’t going to switch onto guards so fluidly and there’s a chance he gets burned by quicker perimeter players on a routine basis.

The same goes for the offensive end, where his lack of a 3-point jump shot has become a glaring weakness as his athleticism declines and his age rises. Iggy was never a prolific scorer but his options on offense are becoming more and more limited each season.

The good news is, the Warriors aren’t bringing Iguodala back for his athleticism. No, the reason Iggy’s return is such a huge luxury is the veteran experience and IQ he has gained over the years. Trading out pure athleticism in Kelly Oubre for Iggy’s veteran savvy is somewhat of a win for a team with title aspirations.

As mentioned, Iggy won’t be able to slide his feet as quickly as some of these lightning-fast perimeter players. But, I’d be surprised if he didn’t find a way to remain an effective defender even when pushed out of his comfort zone. He’s simply too tough and smart to be played off the floor on this end.

Offense is a different story.

Iggy was already becoming a bit of a detriment offensively in his final season with the Warriors. Due to his poor shooting and Draymond Green’s jump shot seemingly disappearing — the death lineup wasn’t so deadly anymore (it was still pretty great, though).

Unless a miracle happens, this issue won’t be resolved for Iggy and the Dubs. However, there is no statistic that will properly capture how valuable Iguodala’s knowledge of the system and ability to do all of the little things will help this team.

The Warriors have been playing in a frenetic frenzy for the last two seasons. Countless new faces have attempted to jump into the fry and learn Steve Kerr’s offense. With untimely injuries, incoming rookies and of course, trades, this job has been more difficult than ever.

The Dubs finally will enter a season with some continuity.  Core players like Green, Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole have all spent their fair share of time with the team at this point.

Not to mention, Iggy has no fear of the moment. He’s shown time and time again that he is willing to step up and hit the big shot. It’s important to note, Iguodala isn’t the type to blindly fire away at the wrong time just to show that he isn’t afraid to shoot. He will still play to his strengths and make the right decisions, which is a huge asset to the Dubs.

Iguodala’s familiarity with the franchise will make it all the easier for Golden State to hit the ground running next season. He comes with his obvious limitations — but Iggy’s return is a great addition for the Warriors.