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Golden State Warriors: five role players we will never forget

By Gibson Lowenberg

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 16, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 16: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on January 16, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 119-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Andre Iguodala

We all know if there were one shot to save the world; aliens have a death ray pointed at earth. There is one man everyone would pick to take the shot over Stephen Curry. We want Iguodala!

After probably pulling off some tampering and getting the Denver Nuggets playbook from the All-Star in 2013 as some speculate, the Warriors signed the disgruntled forward to a discounted contract alongside stars Stephen Curry and David Lee.

This was the first time that a star player took a discount to sign with the Warriors, a team that was still in the NBA gutter at the time.

Iguodala’s insane vertical ability and lock-down defense coupled with impressive playmaking abilities and an ok three-point shot made him a difficult matchup next to the splash brothers and Draymond Green.

Iguodala accepted a bench role on the team once Steve Kerr took over the head coaching duties, earning more respect from the fans than he already had for signing there in the first place.

Iggy moving to the bench helped the Warriors snatch the top seed in the NBA and make it to the Finals where they faced a prime LeBron James with all of his best teammates sitting on the sidelines.

After falling down 2-1, Kerr made the adjustment to start Iguodala in place of Harrison Barnes and the Warriors would go on to win three straight games on their way to their first championship since before the merger.

For some reason, the NBA gave Andre Iguodala the Finals MVP award for the series, gaining him more respect from fans as he would be a key part of the team going forward.

Iguodala would be a consistent piece for the Warriors off the bench until 2019, when he was traded to clear room for young players, before this, the aging Iguodala won three rings with the Warriors and also helped win 73 games in 2016.

Eventually, after making the Finals with the Miami heat in 2020, his sixth straight Finals appearance, he would return to the Warriors in 2021 to win his fourth championship in seven tries with an emotional return to the bay area.

Andre Iguodala means so much to the Warriors organization that the team has promised to retire the number nine in honor of him despite the fact that he never made an All-Star appearance with the team.

We will always remember Andre Iguodala even if he never plays another game.

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