SAN FRANCISCO — When Andre Iguodala returned to the Warriors on a one-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, there was a belief that season would be his last.
Still, the Warriors held out hope throughout the summer that Iguodala, 38, would return for one last run, especially after getting the sweet taste of another NBA Finals victory. No one knew for certain what he was going to do until Friday when Golden State’s elder statesman announced on his Point Forward podcast that he would be coming back.
The news brought a sense of ease and excitement to the team.
“Really good to have him,” Jordan Poole said Sunday at Warriors’ media day. He’s “extremely knowledgeable. He’s willing to help us and teach us and give us all the information and knowledge that he’s gained over the years. Been extremely beneficial to our team, and being able to have him back is really special.”
Iguodala, who missed the first two days of camp because of a prior scheduled engagement, is one of the most trusted voices within the organization. He has the ear of not only the front office and coaching staff but he’s also a confidant to players such as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. And he’s not afraid to hold players accountable regardless of status on the team.
Curry and Green played a key part in convincing Iguodala to come back. But Jonathan Kuminga said he also was begging his locker-room neighbor to return.
“I was trying to like call him, text him,” said Kuminga, who said Iguodala wouldn’t tip his hand this summer on what he might do. “I was trying to make him go, ‘We need you back, come back.’”
Iguodala’s response to Kuminga’s pleas?
“He was like, ‘I got things I got to do,’” Kuminga recalled.
Kuminga is one of the young players who could benefit most from Iguodala’s return. Iguodala has 18 NBA seasons worth of wisdom to impart on the youngsters and can help them navigate their lives on and off the basketball court.
While Iguodala’s value to Golden State extends beyond the basketball court, Curry was quick to point out that Iguodala wouldn’t have come back for one last hurrah if he didn’t think he’d be able to play.
“He’s not coming back if he doesn’t think he can play and contribute, whether it’s 10 minutes, 20 minutes… big game creeping up, maybe even more. Playing consistently maybe in the second half of the season,” Curry said. “He’s not here to be a coach first, player second. So excited about what he can prove on that front, but obviously the mentorship is a big part of the presence that he brings in the locker room, on the court, front office, management. He’s a sound box for everybody and a voice of reason for everybody.
“It’s built on 19 years of him being who he is.”
Iguodala missed most of the second half of the season as he dealt with various injuries. He had been at Chase Center in recent weeks working out and discussing his future with the training staff to determine whether his body could handle the wear of another 82-game slate.
Iguodala received the green light and felt confident in proceeding. But after this season, he’s calling it quits.
“I’m letting you know now, Steph, this is the last one,” Iguodala said on his podcast.
“He’s planting his flag now, which I think, for him, is a healthy way for him to approach this year, knowing he’s giving everything he’s got,” Curry said.
Source: www.mercurynews.com