The Hall of Fame Legacy of Andre Iguodala
LeBron James refers to the Golden State Warriors as "that juggernaut out West"; the Warriors, a team with four current All-Stars, the Defensive Player of the Year, a combined two Finals MVP's and three League MVP's. While he didn't win Sixth Man of the Year, it's hard to argue against Andre Iguodala not being the NBA's premiere sixth man over the past three seasons.
In looking deeper at Andre Iguodala's legacy I can't help but wonder if there's a future Hall of Famer we might be overlooking. Basketball Reference website gives Andre Iguodala a 3% statistical chance of making the Hall of Fame. This same metric gives Manu Ginobili only a 20% chance of making the Hall of Fame. Manu Ginobili, who many believe will make the Hall of Fame, compares very similarly to Andre Iguodala for career accomplishments.
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Andre Iguodala |
Manu Ginóbili |
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2× NBA champion (2015, 2017) |
4× NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) |
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NBA Finals MVP (2015) |
2× NBA All-Star (2005, 2011) |
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NBA All-Star (2012) |
2× All-NBA Third Team (2008, 2011) |
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NBA All-Defensive First Team (2014) |
NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2008) |
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NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2011) |
NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2003) |
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NBA All-Rookie First Team (2005) |
Olympic Champion (2004) |
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NBA Rookie Challenge MVP (2006) |
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Olympic Champion (2012) |
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World Champion (2010) |
Iguodala passes the eyeball test, not that one or two more NBA championships wouldn’t help his case. Before taking on the same role Ginobili embraced, Andre Iguodala had started 758 straight games. On his decision to put Andre into the sixth-man role Kerr said, "I could make an argument he's been our best player, especially over the last two weeks. Right now in the scrimmages, he's the most impactful player that we have. The last couple of weeks, he has sort of determined who's winning (the scrimmage) depending on what side he's on."
In the 2015 NBA finals the Warriors were floundering down (2-1) to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Steve Kerr not only moved Iguodala back into the starting lineup but gave him the assignment of guarding Lebron James. Iguodala held James to 18-of-54, 33% shooting percentage. The Warriors won the next three games with Iguodala deservedly winning the Finals MVP.
Andre on his role, "I think the best way to (convince players to play the sixth man role) is to just be honest about it. What are you trying to do? What's your goal? Why do you think it works?"
Draymond said of Andre, "He was great the entire series. But he saved this season for us. I always say Andre's a pro's pro. He's a professional guy, and it showed, and that's why he's the MVP of this series, and that's why we're champions."
In the 2017 NBA final’s Andre had his moment. It was game three with the Warriors up (2-0) in the series and the Cavaliers trying to perform a repeat of 2016 finals. With 12.9 seconds on the clock James elevates to attempt a game tying three-pointer. Iguodala, with cat-like reflexes, strips James of the ball, sealing the victory for the Warriors.
Only Cedric Maxwell has earned the Finals MVP and not gone on to the NBA Hall of Fame. The others are either not yet eligible or stand a good chance of making the Hall in the future. This fact alone bodes well for the Warriors defensive ace. In a league where players are measured by winning championships, Andre Iguodala has made his mark.