Curry, arguably the greatest shooter of all time, has four titles under his name with a Finals MVP to back up his coveted career. The Warriors superstar believes there’s another teammate who was playing for the legacy he has submitted in Golden State.

In a recent interview with NBC Sports’ Kerith Burke, Curry remarks on the legacy of his longtime teammate, Andre Igoudala, who he believes was a significant contributor to the Warriors’ four titles and is a sure shot at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

“Absolutely, I didn’t know that was much of a debate,” said Curry on Igoudala being labeled a Hall of Famer. “He’s kind of the mature vet that’s still putting up solid numbers but impacting winning at a level that is a difference maker.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Golden State Warriors (@warriors)

Igoudala’s four championships with the Warriors may be underestimated by playing with Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry through the years. However, his defensive tenacity in the 2015 NBA Finals against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off Golden States’ illustrious dynasty.

Igoudala scored 16.3 points, four assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game and won the 2015 Finals MVP. In that series, Curry and Thompson averaged 34.2 percent shooting from their three-point distance, but Igoudala’s heroics kept James shooting at 38.1 percent from the field when guarded by him.

Iggy is now in the later stages of his career. He rejoined the Dubs over the summer and averaged 4.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game during the regular-season. When it came down to the postseason, Coach Steve Kerr trusted the 38-year-old to play during the 2022 Finals. Iggy rewarded that trust by posting seven points and three assists during Game 1 and played spot duty the rest of the Finals as a 3-and-D wing.

“I hope there’s a keen eye part of just watching his career unfold,” said Curry. “Seeing the different iterations of himself that impact winning, that’s what it should be about.”

Igoudala enters his 19th season in the League, more importantly, his last go at defending a championship for the Warriors. The farewell tour starts against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Chase Center.

The post Stephen Curry Believes Andre Iguodala is ‘Absolutely’ An Hall of Famer appeared first on SLAM.

One of the NBA’s most elite dynasties, the Golden State Warriors, has reached the top of the mountain once more. With the brilliant play of Stephen Curry and company, the franchise has won four championships in a 7-year span. It’s quite remarkable, to say the least, but it all starts with one of the veteran pieces that keep the locker room in check and comes up big on the biggest stage.

The 38 year old Andre Igoudala may not be the pivotal factor to decide a championship series, but there’s something about his presence in the locker room that leads to success. It’s not just with the Warriors too, Igoudala took part in the Miami Heat‘s incredible 5th seeded run to the NBA Finals in the 2020 Bubble. His high IQ on defense was a major contributor to the Heat’s success, but the team ultimately fell to the LeBron James led Los Angeles Lakers.

The matchup between him and LeBron James is always considered one of the more unexpected rivalries in League history. However, in 2015 with the Cavaliers up 2-1 in the NBA Finals, Igoudala stepped up to attribute 16.3 points a game with 5.8 rebounds and 4 boards. What carved his name into the Bill Russell Finals MVP award, was his teriffic defense on a LeBron James who’d been dominating all post-season long.

“I’m letting you know now Steph,” said Igoudala. “This the last one.”

Though the Warriors haven’t come to terms with a deal for Igoudala, it seems clear he’s comitted to signing a veternan minimum deal. If so, Igoudala will play his final season, in a quest with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green at their fifth ring.

The post Andre Iguodala Confirms He’ll Return to the Warriors for His 19th Season appeared first on SLAM.

Lacob had gone onto Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner’s “Point Forward Podcast” when the episode had turned to the NBA’s luxury tax system. Golden State had a total payroll of $346 million last year while paying up $170 million in luxury taxes, an NBA record.

“The hardest thing of all is navigating this luxury tax, unfortunately,” Lacob said. “I went back to New York this week for labor meetings. I’m on the committee. And you know, obviously, the league wants everyone to have a chance, and right now, there’s a certain element out there that believes we “checkbook win,” we won because we have the most salaries on our team.”

“The truth is, we’re only $40 million more than the luxury tax. Now, that’s not small, but it’s not a massive number. We’re $200 million over in total because most of that is this incredible penal luxury tax. And what I consider to be unfair, and I’m going to say it on this podcast, and I hope it gets back to whoever is listening — and obviously, it’s self-serving for me to say this, but I think it’s a very unfair system because our team is built by — all top eight players are all drafted by this team.”

The NBA forbids criticism from team owners and officials regarding League’s collective bargaining agreement with the NBAPA.

The post Warriors Owner Joe Lacob Fined $500,000 For Calling the Luxury Tax ‘Unfair’ appeared first on SLAM.

However, just because that may be true doesn’t mean that Iggy is retired to hang up his sneakers and retire. If Iguodala knows one thing at this point, it’s that he doesn’t want to be a player-coach if he returns to the Warriors this summer.

“I like basketball,” Iguodala told NBC Sports Bay Area, “I actually like training, too. Summer training is probably the hardest thing. People don’t understand that to really get ready for a season what your body has to go through.

“I’m trying to reflect on the season, enjoy it, enjoy being a champion. And if that time comes — I don’t know if it’s going to be a tough decision, but I’m ready for whatever.”

Iggy filled that role for Golden State last season, similar to what former teammate Udonis Haslem has done over the previous six seasons.

When they were teammates on the Heat, Iguodala saw firsthand how hard Haslem worked as a player-coach, being ready to play despite playing only 58 games since the 2015-2016 season, his 5 a.m. wake-up calls, and attending every practice. Iggy called it a “testament to his work ethic.” but said that he’s “got to kill” any notion that that’s what he wants to do at this late stage of his career.

“The thing that I don’t want to see misconstrued, or I don’t want the perception thrown out there, is that I’m a coach,” he said, describing himself as a businessman who plays basketball. “I don’t want to get thrown into the ‘just go coach.’ That’s not a route I’m looking forward to taking. Not at all.”

If Iggy decides to return, he most likely will be tasked with mentoring the youngest players on the Warriors once again, 20-somethings like Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole, and the like. It’s not an easy job, but it’s a job Iguodala thrived in this past season, and it’ll be a part of the reason why Kuminga, Moody, and Poole end up stepping up and doing well when Coach Steve Kerr calls them into action this upcoming season.

The post Andre Iguodala On Continuing Career or Retiring: ‘Ready for Whatever’ appeared first on SLAM.

But Iggy’s injury woes haven’t prevented him from playing a vital role for the Warriors as a player-assistant coach while in street clothes. This is mainly done by mentoring Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody all season and keeping this deep playoff run in perspective. According to Shayna Rubin of the Mercury News, Iguodala has made sure to remind the rookies to take plenty of pictures and keep memorabilia.

“Historically, they aren’t supposed to take on everything that comes with being in the Finals,” Iguodala said. “They’re supposed to be on college campuses learning about themselves, learning who they are as people, learning what they like, learning what they don’t like, instead of these guys making five-plus million dollars a year, got all the pressures, the madness of having money and being in the spotlight. You can become jaded. You can start taking these things for granted.

“It’s not their fault. I’m guilty of it, just being in the Finals so many times where I feel nothing. I just know it’s my job to go out and win. Really no joy in it; it’s just going to work.

Iggy has also maintained his brutal honesty with playoff vets like Kevon Looney and players playing in the playoffs for the first time like Jordan Poole. The third-year guard said Iggy “doesn’t leave any rock unturned,” and as a three-time champ, he coaches “how he sees the game unfold.”

“Extremely meticulous,” Poole said. “He likes to point out the details and small things. He has a lot of knowledge, and he’s willing to share, which is really cool to be a part of — He’s also extremely real. He’ll keep it a rack; he won’t sugarcoat anything. Being able to have him in our corner as a vet is huge.”

Iguodala’s knowledge as an 18-year vet and a player who played a significant role in the Warriors’ title runs as a versatile defender in Golden State’s small-ball lineups has earned him the ear of the younger Warriors.

His institutional knowledge of Golden State’s playstyle and culture has helped him stay in the League just as much as his quick hands, length, and athleticism. At 38-years-old, Iggy isn’t a part of the Warriors’ long-term plan, but for the time he’s relied on to be a strong voice on the bench.

He’s been given even more leeway as a veteran and player-coach because the Warriors championship core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson trust him to help Poole, Kuminga, and Moody see what they see on the floor. Having him in their collective ear will only make playing on the biggest stage of basketball even more when it matters the most.

“He has access, not just physical access but emotional access that the coaching staff does not have,” Coach Steve Kerr said. “Frankly, there’s a trust factor that exists that can’t possibly exist between players and coaches. That’s why the role is so important. He has a different vantage point, and the guys believe in him so much, and he’s just brilliant at demanding and embracing and everything in between.”

Iggy awaits clearance for Thursday’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The post Andre Iguodala’s Veteran Presence Essential to Finals Run appeared first on SLAM.

Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Andre Iguodala were announced as questionable for Game 1 but did participate in the Warriors’ brief, full-contact scrimmage at Chase Center on Wednesday. The three injured Warriors players’ participation is welcome since all three weren’t on the court for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

“We’ll see how they turn up tomorrow, but it was a good sign that they were able to take contact,” Kerr said.

During Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series, Payton II suffered a broken elbow against the Memphis Grizzlies. Dillon Brooks fouled Payton hard as he attempted to attack the rim on a fast break opportunity. Payton averages 5.5 points per game off the bench during the Golden States playoff run to the Finals.

The former Oregon State Beaver missed three other games in the playoffs due to foot soreness in both feet.

“Still got a couple boxes to check off,” Payton said. “Still not quite there yet. But excited. Getting better every day so.” He said he needed “a couple green lights” from various people inside the Warriors’ organization — presumably team medical personnel.

Iguodala hasn’t been on the court since Game 4 of the first round with a disc injury in his neck.

NBA Finals begin on Thursday, with Golden State hosting Game 1 in San Francisco.

The post Warriors Close to Full Health For Game 1 of the NBA Finals appeared first on SLAM.

His quest for knowledge has taken on a new level as he asked former 2015 NBA Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala for tips on defending LeBron James. Iguodala shared the story on Draymond Green‘s latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show” via NBC Sports Bay Area.

“Wigs was like, ‘Yo, what are some things you like to do when you guard LeBron [James]?’ I was like, ‘Woah! Bro, you got way more ability than me.’ But then I had to like, ‘Oh, OK. This is a good thing.'”

“I gave him some pointers. Like, it’s really not about stopping him because you can’t. It’s about beating him to the spot when he gets there. That starts when Steph Curry shoots. So as soon as Steph shot the ball, I would be looking for LeBron like, ‘All right. Where is he at? At what point attack will he be taking the ball out of bounds?’ That’s the first thing that went on my mind.”

Iguodala was the lead defender on James during the Warriors’ four consecutive NBA Finals appearances against the Cleveland Cavaliers. His defense on James was the main reason he took home the 2015 NBA Finals MVP award.

Wiggins has resurrected his career after coming over in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2020. This season, Golden State will need his defensive prowess with Iguodala near the end of his career and Klay Thompson returning from two significant injuries.

As the Warriors’ primary wing defender, the former No. 1 overall pick looks to continue improving with Iguodala in his ear along the way.

The post Andrew Wiggins Asked Andre Iguodala For Tips On Guarding LeBron James appeared first on SLAM.

“The NBA salary cap won’t allow me to play too much longer, but I’m going to enjoy it,” Iguodala told NBA.com. “Whether it’s one year or seven years left, I’m going to have some fun.”

Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr also revealed that Iguodala, who is currently averaging 4.2 points and 5.4 rebounds this season, has taken on a mentorship role and that his presence brings “stability” to the team.

“It’s like we lost our soul a little bit the last two years,” Kerr said per NBA.com “Getting him back brings a level of stability, intelligence, and basketball IQ. But he’s also mentoring the younger guys. Everything that he’s stood for during those championship years, he still stands for. We need that veteran presence. I’m thrilled that he’s back.”

With that, GM Bob Meyers says he’s even fitting back in “seamlessly.”

“I’m amazed on how he takes care of himself. He’s a good model for younger players to emulate as far as how he takes care of his body, how he takes care of his mind and how he keeps stimulated off the court. He’s a really good model for how to approach an NBA career.”

The post Andre Iguodala Ready to ‘Have Some Fun’ Throughout the Rest of His NBA Tenure appeared first on SLAM.

Making an appearance on TNT’s “The Match” on Friday, the three-time NBA champion said he expects former teammate Stephen Curry to have a great year, but Durant is his 2021 MVP pick (via NBC Sports’ Marcus White).

“Both guys will be great next year,” Iguodala said. “I’m looking forward to seeing KD. My preseason MVP [pick].”

Durant, who missed the entirety of the 2019-20 season after rupturing his Achilles during the 2019 Finals, is widely regarded as one of the League’s top-three players when healthy.

A 10-time All-Star, four-time scoring champion and two-time Finals MVP, KD has been an elite scorer ever since he entered the League. There’s never been a season that Durant averaged below 20 points per game, and since his second season, he’s shot better than 46.0% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range.

Durant averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 2018-19, his last season with the Warriors. On any other team, that would have been enough to garner MVP consideration, but Golden State was so stacked that he only finished eighth in MVP voting.

If Durant can replicate those numbers with the Brooklyn Nets next season while guiding them to one of the East’s top-three records, Iguodala just may be right.

The post Andre Iguodala Predicts Kevin Durant To Win 2021 MVP appeared first on SLAM.

“I won’t compare them,” Iguodala told Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated. “But [the] way they can handle the ball and get into their shots, Tyler shows some resemblances there.“

Iguodala had a front row seat to Herro’s 37-point display in the Miami Heat’s Game 4 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday and noted specifically what about Herro reminds him of his future Hall of Famer former teammate.

“There are some resemblances in that he can get to his shot pocket off the dribble and off the shoot and catch,” Iguodala said.

Curry, of course, has been such a historically dominant shooter over the course of his career that his franchise essentially upended the NBA as we knew it. Herro has plenty of work to do to catch up to the perennial All-Star but he’s shown promise early on working with a similar skillset.

Herro has shot .378 from beyond the arc in the postseason thus far, down slightly from his regular season percentage of .389. What’s most impressive is the 20-year-old’s confidence to shoulder part of the offensive load on a team with legitimate championship aspirations.

The sheer depth of the Heat allows them to run the majority of their offense through a number of different weapons but Herro’s 37-point showing in Game 4 should give head coach Erik Spoelstra extra confidence to lean more heavily on his rookie.

We’ll join Iguodala in passing on the Curry comparisons and instead just appreciate what Kentucky product is doing so soon into his NBA career.

The post Andre Iguodala Sees Similarities Between Tyler Herro and Steph Curry appeared first on SLAM.

The Golden State faithful and his former team showed Iguodala nothing but love, of course.

The 36-year-old veteran forward played 17 minutes in the Miami Heat’s 113-101 road win.

Per The Mercury News:

In six seasons with the Warriors, Iguodala made possible small-ball lineups with his versatility, helped win three championships and earned Finals MVP in 2015. Last summer, they traded him to the Grizzlies in order to get under the hard cap triggered after the Warriors sign-and-traded for D’Angelo Russell.

“I had a Romo moment,” Iguodala said, nodding to CBS NFL broadcaster Tony Romo, who often guesses teams’ plays before they happen. “I think I sniffed it out before it happened. I’ve been around the game for a while, and you see how things are playing and you see how a domino effect can happen.”

Meanwhile, during a lottery-bound season, the Warriors are feeling his absence. Golden State reached the playoffs in each of Iguodala’s six seasons, and head coach Steve Kerr often references how much they miss the length and basketball IQ that helped start a dynasty.

“It’s strange to see him in another uniform,” Kerr said. “But I think he landed in a great spot.”

Related Andre Iguodala: ‘I Just Knew to Be Patient’

The post Steve Kerr: ‘Strange to See’ Andre Iguodala in Different Uniform appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, 36, says players need to learn “what you can and can’t leverage.”

The veteran forward holds no ill towards the frustrated, younger Memphis Grizzlies teammates he refused to join after being traded there last summer.

Per The Undefeated:

What is your message to players?

Iguodala: “What I’ve learned is you got to learn what you can and can’t leverage. You got to know your situation. And then, you also have to understand more so than anything is that any opportunity can come at anytime. And you have to be prepared for it. You got to have a broad understanding of the history of the game, the business of the game. You have to know the people that are really well-respected throughout the league. Pat (Riley) is one of those guys. My homework was done before. (The Heat) kind of came in late as a team. They were really smart. If you get in too early, you can get leveraged because you show you have interest. Then, you can be used as leverage for someone else. They moved in silence, which was pretty smart.”

What was your reaction to what the young players were saying in Memphis about you?

Iguodala: “You got to take everything with a grain of salt. Rules shift from time to time across generations. There is a 10-15 year age difference. They don’t move how we move and the same wasn’t said about us when we were that age. ‘What are young guys doing now? What is respectful now?’ … It’s different.

“So, I don’t look at it as personal. I don’t know if it’s from them. But the only thing I will tell them is that I love them. Those are my guys. (DeMar) DeRozan said Lou Williams. He said, ‘Lou is my brother and he would give him his last dollar.’ I feel the same way about every player in this league. I felt the same way about those two guys. Ja (Morant) is going to be Rookie of the Year and he is playing amazing basketball. I’ve been watching him this year even though I knew we’d never be teammates. This guy is a talent.”

Related Dillon Brooks, Ja Morant ‘Can’t Wait’ for Andre Iguodala Trade

The post Andre Iguodala: ‘I Just Knew to Be Patient’ appeared first on SLAM.

At this stage in the process, talks between the Thunder and Heat have stalled, Woj notes.

Update #1, Feb 6, 11:30 am: Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill are heading to Miami. Dion Waiters to Memphis. Details in story.

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to acquire 23-year-old Justise Winslow as part of a multiplayer trade with the Miami Heat, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports. The move, which brought a formal end to the Andre Iguodala Era in Tennessee evolved in stages over the course of the evening and into Thursday.

The Grizzlies had been shopping Iguodala ever since the moment they acquired him from the Warriors in an offseason salary dump. They yielded a first-round pick from Golden State in doing so because it allowed them to pull off their D’Angelo Russell sign-and-trade deal.

Now that Memphis has scored another formidable asset in Winslow, the deal has to be considered a win for the rebuilding Grizzlies franchise that finds themselves battling for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference despite a young roster.

While Winslow has only played in 11 games for the Heat this season, he’s a high-upside forward with a dramatic range in skill sets that could grow with Memphis core.

Miami has utilized him previously as a playmaker and in 2018-19 he averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Winslow’s $13M falls short of the $17.2M that Iguodala earns although he comes with additional team control that the Grizzlies will appreciate.

In addition to Iguodala, the Heat will also received Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill, two veteran rotation pieces with significant contracts of their own. The inclusion of Hill and Crowder necessitate the inclusion of additional outgoing salary for Miami.

Shams Charania of The Athletic, who tweeted the Hill and Crowder inclusion also reports that Dion Waiters is on his way to Memphis.

Additional details of this trade could be contingent upon what the Heat decide to do with Danilo Gallinari, a player they’re also said to be pursuing. The trade could even evolve into a three-team affair.

Related: Iguodala has already agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Heat.

The post Justise Winslow, Andre Iguodala On The Move In Multiplayer Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Before a trade between the Grizzlies and Heat has even been finalized, Andre Iguodala has agreed to terms on a two-year, $30M team with the South Beach franchise that came out of nowhere to acquire him.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the shocking extension and Shams Charania of The Athletic chipped in, noting that the second year of the pact is expected to come with a team option.

That team option would allow the club to preserve financial flexibility in the event that they’d like to go all in on a potential free agent in the summer of 2021.

With or without the second-year option, the reported sum is a lofty price to pay for a 36-year-old that hasn’t played basketball since the NBA Finals – and never for the Miami franchise.

Then again, the former Finals MVP has made somewhat of an art of conserving himself during the regular season and then evolving into a superstar in the NBA playoffs.

The news comes on the heels of a revelation that the Heat, dead-set on making a run in the East this season, were eyeing Danilo Gallinari of the Oklahoma City Thunder as well.

Now ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Solomon Hill and Jae Crowder, two veterans with substantial enough contracts to make the possibility of a three-way swap sound ever more plausible, were late scratches from the Grizzlies game tonight.

One Memphis-bound player that we have been informed of is Justise Winslow, who, according to Woj, will be part of the package destined for Memphis.

At this stage in the process it’s unclear who else may be heading to the Grizzlies or the Thunder.

The post Andre Iguodala Agrees To Two-Year Extension With Heat appeared first on SLAM.

Update #1, 8:18 pm: The Heat are also engaged in trade talks with the Thunder that would see them acquire Danilo Gallinari.

The Miami Heat are in advanced discussions to acquire Memphis Grizzlies forward Andre Iguodala, Shams Charania of The Athletic. Iguodala has been available for trade since he landed with the Grizz franchise in the summer.

Given Iguodala’s substantial $17.2M contract, the Heat don’t have a ton of options for players that could make the math work. The fact that they’re hard-capped makes things even more difficult.

One possible option that hasn’t been reported but that does work financially would be Goran Dragic. Dragic’s $19.2M contract could fit and the Heat are in possession of their 2020 first-round pick, a draft asset that the Grizz are reportedly intent on landing in an Iguodala swap.

Another option that may be more palatable to the Heat, albeit less so for Memphis, would be James Johnson. Johnson’s $15.3M deal works but it comes with a player option for the 2020-21 campaign may want to avoid.

To that effect, Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports reports that the Grizzlies are apparently open to the idea of taking on money into next season.

What we do know for sure is what the Heat would get and Iguodala is a formidable, if seasoned, veteran. The 36-year-old former Finals MVP hasn’t played a game with the Grizzlies but has been working out apart from the team all season.

At this stage in the game, no deal has been finalized, but the parties are growing closer. Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that the Lakers have attempted to hail mary their way to the front of the line to no avail.

The post Miami Heat In Advanced Andre Iguodala Trade Talks appeared first on SLAM.

Rookie teammate Ja Morant loudly echoed that sentiment.

Memphis’ front-office continues to explore potential deals for the 36-year-old veteran forward with Thursday’s trade deadline looming.

Per The Commercial Appeal:

“First time I seen him was on TV talking about us,” Brooks began. “It doesn’t even matter. Andre Iguodala is a great player. I feel like he’s doing the right thing for his career, but we don’t really care.”

“It’s not a distraction at all,” he continued. “I laugh at that type of stuff. A guy that’s on our team doesn’t want to be on our team. I can’t wait til we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him what really Memphis is about.”

[Jae] Crowder embraced a leadership role with these young Grizzlies, well aware he might be traded this week. It’s to the point now that this group of 20-somethings is openly campaigning for Crowder to remain in Memphis.

“They have my back, obviously, but I’m just trying to let them know it’s a business,” Crowder said. “Don’t get too caught up in everything. This whole league is a business. Whatever happens, I hope it’s beneficial to both sides.”

Related Andre Iguodala Could Sit Out Season If Not Traded To Desired Team

The post Dillon Brooks, Ja Morant ‘Can’t Wait’ for Andre Iguodala Trade appeared first on SLAM.

The Grizz have been adamant that they’ll deal the 36-year-old, as opposed to buying him out, but they haven’t found a suitor yet three days before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

As recently as December, Memphis was intent on yielding a first-round pick in any Iguodala trade, a semi-problematic request given that the biggest market for his services are contending teams heavy on title aspirations but light on draft assets.

To this point, the Grizzlies haven’t panicked and sold their asset for less than they wanted to, despite the fact that they’re not getting any on court production out of him while they wait.

The two parties agreed in the offseason that Iguodala would work out away from the team. Seven months later, not much has changed and tension has grown.

David Aldridge of The Athletic reported today that the veteran is prepared to sit out for the remainder of the 2019-20 season if he’s not dealt to a team of his preference.

That means despite the fact that the Grizzlies are a respectable eighth in the Western Conference, the option of pivoting from trading Iguodala to retaining him and playing him on their own squad is all but off the table.

The threat also compromises Memphis’ leverage in discussions with teams around the league that aren’t on Iguodala’s list of “designated” destinations given that there’s a risk he wouldn’t happily report.

Of course Memphis and interested teams are only bound to honor Iguodala’s requests if they wish to have an amicable transition.

Formally, players begin to face serious consequences if they withhold playing services for more than 30 days in a contract year, as is laid out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Grizzlies may do damage to their reputation by not attempting to work with Iguodala and that’s a subjective conversation that will invariably be had if he doesn’t end up getting traded somewhere he prefers.

Memphis stepped up to the plate when the Nets and Warriors were configuring the sign-and-trade deal that landed Kevin Durant in Brooklyn and D’Angelo Russell in Golden State.

The Dubs wouldn’t have been able to afford Russell without unloading Iguodala on Memphis and it cost them a 2024 first-round pick.

The post Andre Iguodala Could Sit Out Season If Not Traded To Desired Team appeared first on SLAM.

The Grizzlies landed Iguodala and a 2024 first-round pick last summer when they elected to absorb the veteran’s $17 million contract to help facilitate the Golden State Warriors’s sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets.

Now, not content with their commission for eating Iguodala’s salary in the first place, the rebuilding organization would like to land an additional first rounder and are shopping the former Finals MVP to a plethora of contenders interested in acquiring him.

As Deveney points out, Memphis’ supposed insistence on acquiring a first could conceivably rule out the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the teams that would benefit the most from his presence. The Lakers don’t have a first-rounder to offer until 2026.

Just because the Grizzlies are playing hardball for a first, however, doesn’t mean that they’ll eventually get it. The Houston Rockets reportedly tried but failed to come to terms on a swap with Memphis earlier this season.

In a feature discussing the Clippers as a potential landing spot for Iguodala, The Athletic’s Jovan Buha writes that the league personnel he’s spoken to are largely split on whether Iguodala will eventually be bought out or traded.

Other teams like the Milwaukee Bucks (Deveney), Portland Trail Blazers (Memphis Commercial Appeal) and Dallas Mavericks (ESPN) have all been speculatively linked to the 35-year-old.

Iguodala is an intriguing addition for any team intent on battling for a title, he’s a first-class perimeter defender with as good a chance as anybody to defend the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George or LeBron James in a seven-game series.

As a result, given the value that Iguodala holds as a potential postseason game changer, the Grizz will have no shortage of potential suitors. The question is which of those potential suitors would be willing – or even able – to meet Memphis’ high asking price.

The post Grizzlies Still Expect First In Andre Iguodala Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, who was traded to Memphis this summer, understands that he is likely to remain on the roster through the start of the season. Many players who signed this offseason will be eligible to be inserted into trades on December 15, so at the time, trading the 3-time NBA champion may be an easier feat. Iguodala is making roughly $17 million this upcoming season.

The 2019-20 NBA trade deadline is February 6.

The post Andre Iguodala Won’t Attend Training Camp With Grizzlies appeared first on SLAM.

The Grizzlies are in the midst of a rebuild and are unlikely to sniff the playoffs. Memphis acquired the wing from the Warriors along with a first-round pick and it had been presumed that the franchise would come to a buyout with him, something that would allow him to choose his own destination (he would be ineligible to sign with Golden State, however, due to league rules). The Grizzlies came to a buyout agreement with Dwight Howard a few weeks ago, allowing him to sign on with the Lakers.

This upcoming campaign could be the final season for Iguodala in the NBA. He’s saw a career-low in minutes per game last season (23.3), though several contenders believe he can still contribute off the bench. The 2014-15 Finals MVP, who will turn 36 in January, is scheduled to make approximately $17.2 million this season.

The post Grizzlies Not Interested In Working On Buyout with Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

The Clippers and Rockets are the strongest contenders, though talks between each club and the Grizzlies appear to be at a “standstill,” per The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Dallas and Denver have also had conversations with Memphis about Iguodala, though neither team appears likely to swing a deal.

Iguodala has one-year and $17.2M left on his contract. Acquiring the 35-year-old on his current deal would be problematic for Houston. Less than $2M separates them from a taxpaying team and the franchise doesn’t seem excited about going deep into the luxury tax to bring on Iguodala.

The Clippers don’t want to give up Moe Harkless in a deal for Iguodala. Outside of the former Blazer, there isn’t another trade-eligible player on the team who makes even half of Iguodala’s $17.2M salary, so Los Angeles has its own set of issues.

Each team has explored bringing in a third team to help facilitate a deal. Charania notes that the Grizzlies could eventually work on a buyout agreement with the wing, though it has also been rumored that Memphis wouldn’t mind keeping Iguodala on the roster past the start of the season.

The post Andre Iguodala Trade Talks Hit “Standstill” appeared first on SLAM.

“Everybody wants a new challenge,” says Curry, who reflected on the departures of Kevin Durant through free agency, the Andre Iguodala trade, Klay Thompson‘s torn ACL, and the acquisition of D’Angelo Russell.

Curry, 31, is “the oldest on the team now,” and realizes he’ll have to carry a much larger burden for the Warriors.

Per The Mercury News:

“It will develop as we get together as a group. A lot of changes. It’s a tough way to end the Finals with K.D. and Klay getting injured, and obviously free agency. For us, our core, myself, Klay (Thompson), Draymond (Green), adding D’Angelo and a lot of hungry, young guys trying to prove themselves in the league, it’ll look different in terms of the lineups and things like that. But the expectations of how we play, that championship-caliber basketball, that for us will always be the motivation and the challenge.

“I’m excited, to be honest with you. Five straight years in the Finals and we’ve accomplished a lot, and three championships. There’s a lot to be proud of. But everybody wants a new challenge in terms of how do you get back to that level.”

Did the free agency changes catch you off-guard in terms of what the Warriors did, and when you look at the league, especially the Western Conference with the Clippers and Lakers? How do you size it up?

“There’s a lot of change, and it’s like this every summer, just now it’s with the biggest names in the game. The West is always tough. It’s been that way since we started this Finals run back in 2015, and I think it’s going to continue.

“In terms of what we did this summer, I’m really proud of our front office trying to put the pieces together and filling out the roster with talented guys that are going to be hungry to prove themselves in the league and obviously D’Angelo with the year he had last year. We’re all going to figure it out together. It’s going to be an adjustment. We talked about this when Coach Kerr took over back in 2015. We had proven success in terms of being a playoff team and just had to finetune it a little bit. Now that we’re champions and experienced that, it’s just about finetuning with the personnel that you have. We have a high basketball IQ so I’m confident we’ll figure it out.”

Related Stephen Curry Flew to Hear Kevin Durant’s Decision Face-to-Face

The post ‘I’m Excited’: Stephen Curry Ready to Lead New-Look Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

KD and the Brooklyn Nets ended up squeezing the Warriors for a first round draft pick to make the blockbuster sign-and-trade work.

The Dubs were also forced to give up an additional (lightly protected) future pick in a swap with the Memphis Grizzlies for Andre Iguodala.

Per ESPN:

The Brooklyn Nets had enough cap space to sign Kevin Durant outright, and there was no specific advantage for Durant to take part in a sign-and-trade deal to help the Warriors out. Nor was it that great an advantage to Nets free agent D’Angelo Russell, who had other teams, including the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, vying for him, knowing that the Nets would have to make him an unrestricted free agent to complete the Durant signing.

Durant initially balked at being traded for Russell straight up, multiple sources said. He didn’t think it was a fair deal, and in this case, the Warriors had to not just satisfy the Nets, but also Durant.

Leverage was applied by the player, and Golden State had to include a first-round pick before Durant would agree to sign off.

Also, the Warriors had to take on two players, Shabazz Napier and Treveon Graham to make the trade work. It helped the Nets clear extra space to sign DeAndre Jordan, who is friends with Durant and new teammate Kyrie Irving. Golden State had to turn around and pay Minnesota $3.6 million to take Napier and Graham off its books.

Related Nets: ‘Too Early’ to Determine When Kevin Durant Will Play

The post Report: Kevin Durant ‘Balked’ at Being Traded for D’Angelo Russell appeared first on SLAM.

The Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks are among the teams with reported interest in Iguodala.

Memphis acquired the 35-year-old via Golden State as part of the three-team, sign-and-trade deal for D’Angelo Russell with the Warriors.

Per ESPN:

It was widely speculated that Iguodala would land with the Los Angeles Lakers if he received a buyout. Rob Pelinka was Iguodala’s agent before he became the Lakers’ general manager, and Iguodala would likely be eager to join a contender.

The Grizzlies used a trade exception acquired in the Mike Conley trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire Iguodala, getting the future first-round pick for facilitating the deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets and Russell to Golden State.

Memphis, under the leadership of recently promoted executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, has made accumulating young players and future picks a priority this summer.

Related Andre Iguodala Thinks the NBA ‘Blackballed’ Mark Jackson for Religious Beliefs

The post Report: Memphis Grizzlies Exploring Andre Iguodala Trade appeared first on SLAM.

In the deal, Russell will earn the full four-year, $117 million max he is eligible for as a four-year veteran signing with a new team.

It will be interesting to see what assets would be heading back to Brooklyn considering that plenty needs to move before the math checks out. One thing that we do know is that the Memphis Grizzlies have stepped up to absorb Andre Iguodala’s contract.

For their troubles, the Grizzlies will inherit Golden State’s 2024 first-round pick.

The piece heading from Golden State to Brooklyn is, of course, Kevin Durant.

Russell was said to have interest from a number of teams, most notably the Timberwolves and Lakers. Earlier today Karl-Anthony Towns set #NBATwitter aflutter with a cryptic Instagram story showing a loading screen.

The post Warriors, Nets Agree To Sign-And-Trade For D’Angelo Russell appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, currently on a headline-making book tour, says Jackson’s views clashed with Golden State’s leadership.

The veteran forward also dished on the Dubs misleading the public about a leg fracture of his during last year’s postseason (the team called it a “bone bruise”), and was candid about how race relations impact NBA players and their relationships with one another.

Per The Breakfast Club:

“It was the politics,” Iguodala said. “Once they want you out they’re going to find something.

“One particular issue — from what I heard — were his views on gender or marriage or what the Bible said on your sexuality. And the head of our business — he was just in the Hall of Fame — he was the brains behind the All-Star Weekend, this dude created the All-Star Weekend, Rick Welts, he’s a genius in business. He’s celebrated as one of the top execs in sports on the business side — and he is gay. So there was conflicts with that that was widespread.”

When asked if he believes the NBA blackballed Jackson, Iguodala responded: “I do.”

“He was the ultimate players’ coach,” Iguodala said.

“I talk about it in the book, as far as he was one of my favorite coaches of all-time, he was just like ‘come in, compete and play hard.’ He was gonna to put you in the best position to make the most money. Like there was players that got paid because of him that shouldn’t have gotten paid. He was like ‘Look, man: if you just do this, you’re gonna get paid, so I’m just gonna send you out there to do it. That’s all I want you to do, just do this. Just go get paid.’

“Remember when he said that Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] were gonna be the best backcourt ever? They said he was crazy. This was seven years ago and then it came to fruition. But I feel it was the politics of it, man.”

Related How Two Murderers Were Spotted on an Old Mark Jackson Trading Card

The post Andre Iguodala Thinks the NBA ‘Blackballed’ Mark Jackson for Religious Beliefs appeared first on SLAM.

Iggy appears to be confident that Golden State will convince both Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson to re-sign.

General manager Bob Myers, speaking to reporters Monday, appeared slightly less optimistic about KD’s return.

Per The San Fran Chronicle:

“Yes.” That was Myers’ response when asked if he has formal plans to sit down with potential free agents Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

Is Myers optimistic that the Warriors can re-up with Durant and Thompson? “We’ll see,” he said.

Warriors forward Andre Iguodala, who is doing the media car wash to promote his book “The Sixth Man,” addressed the status of Durant and Thompson on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.”

“I think they’ll both be back with the Golden State Warriors,” Iguodala said. “We all keep it real. We’re like brothers. We keep in contact, but regardless of any of that — if both did decide to leave, they would still be my brothers. I would still keep in contact with them as much as possible.

“I just wish the best for both of those guys as they come back full strength.”

Related Report: Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving ‘Met Twice’ to Discuss Free Agency

The post Andre Iguodala: ‘Nobody’s Going to the Knicks, Sorry’ appeared first on SLAM.

“We live for this,” Draymond Green said after the two-time defending champs hung on for a galvanizing 109-104 win against the Toronto Raptors.

The Dubs lost Kevin Looney (sprained collarbone) and Klay Thompson (left hamstring tightness) to injuries, but found contributions from others to earn a hard-fought victory.

Per The Athletic:

“Hell, yeah, we were screaming,” Looney said. “We wanted to be out there so bad. We see plays that could be made. We got a hell of a team back there in the training room.”

Indeed, the Warriors had quite a bit of talent mending in the locker room. That was a lot of offense and three of their best defenders watching the game on television. But the Warriors left Canada with the NBA Finals tied at 1-1 because of what they still had on the court.

“We live for this,” Draymond Green said. “Our backs against the wall. On the road. Klay goes down. Loon goes down. This is what we do.”

This is how they prefer it.

“We’ve been in this situation a bunch of times now,” Draymond Green said. “We’re not laying down. Obviously, we need our guys out there on the floor. But if not, we’ve still got guys who can step up. You’ve got to beat us. That’s the most important thing. Making someone beat us.”

Related Draymond Green: Role ‘Completely Changes’ Without Kevin Durant

The post Draymond Green: ‘We Live for This’ appeared first on SLAM.

Curry says Toronto was playing “janky” defense, which led to Iguodala hitting the game-sealing three-pointer in Golden State’s 109-104 victory.

Andre added that getting his “head knocked off” late in the first half woke him up, as the Dubs tied the NBA Finals at 1-1 heading back to California.

The veteran forward finished with eight points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Per The San Fran Chronicle:

“He’s the adult in the room,” [Steve] Kerr likes to say, saluting Iguodala as the stabilizing force on the team, the man who smooths out the ragged edges and reins in the schoolyard impulses of his sometimes overly adventurous teammates.

He suffered a blow to the head with 3½ minutes left in the second quarter after bumping into Toronto center Marc Gasol, and retired to the locker room. Iguodala is already nursing a leg injury that recently required an MRI exam, not a good sign for a 35-year-old, 15-season vet at the tail end of a super-long season and a super-duper-long five-year run.

“Got my head knocked off, and it kind of woke me up a bit,” Iguodala said. “Got a little edge after that.”

Then he sealed the deal with an ice-cold 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the game and the Warriors clinging to a two-point lead, and Klay Thompson out with a leg injury.

“Well, you’re not going to let Steph (Curry) take the shot,” Kerr said, “so they double-team Steph and that left Andre open, and he had hit another big one earlier in the game.”

Related Post Up: Warriors Rally in Third Quarter of Game 2, Even Series 1-1

The post ‘It’s Kinda Disrespectful to Leave Andre Iguodala Open Like That’ appeared first on SLAM.

After falling behind by as much as 12 points during the second quarter, the Warriors opened the second half on an 18-0 run and held on to the lead for the rest of the game.

Draymond Green scored 17 points with 10 boards and 9 dimes. Klay Thompson dropped a team-high 25 points with 5 dimes, but he left the game early in the fourth quarter with left hamstring tightness.

DeMarcus Cousins, in just his second game back from a torn quadriceps, came up big with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double. And the ever-clutch Andre Iguodala sunk a three with 5.9 seconds left to seal the victory.

The series heads to Golden State for Game 3 on Wednesday.

The post Post Up: Warriors Rally in Third Quarter of Game 2, Even Series 1-1 appeared first on SLAM.

Curry, however, adds that he enjoys the debate.

“For us to win championships, I know I have to be playing at a very high level,” Curry said on NBATV.

“Whether that means a Finals MVP or not, I’ll let that kind of work itself out. In terms of chasing rings and banners, that’s the first and foremost. You can’t cheat the game that way.”

Kevin Durant has taken home the Finals MVP trophy the last two seasons, and Golden State Warriors teammate Andre Iguodala infamously won it back in 2015.

Per The Mercury News:

“That’s like secondary to that you win or you lose,” Curry said of the Finals MVP trophy. “Probably even way down the list.”

Curry stressed that he spoke those words “not to demean the award,” which has belonged six times to Michael Jordan (1990-1993, 1996-1998), three times to Shaquille O’Neal (1999-2002) and LeBron James (2011-2013, 2016) and twice to Kobe Bryant (2009-2010), Tim Duncan (2003, 2005) and Durant (2017-18). Instead, Curry said he spoke those words out of respect for his teammates, including Durant, Iguodala, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

“Do I feel like we win a championship without myself or with what Draymond did or Andre did? No.” Curry said. “Everybody has a part in what we do, and whoever wins it this year, it’s the same vibe. I could go out and average 50 [points]. But without the contributions, the effort and the focus of everybody that steps foot on the floor, we’re not putting banners up. Everybody can feel pride in all the individual accolades as well as the team.”

On Monday, Curry reiterated that Durant “deserved both of them.” Durant has expressed appreciation that Curry offered public and private support instead of outward or subtle disappointment.

“There’s no reason to — in the positions that we are in,” Curry said. “That’s just nitpicking, at the end of the day. If I really want to cause a hissy-fit about not winning the Finals MVP with all that we’ve experienced and all the highs that we’ve been to….”

Related Andre Iguodala: Stephen Curry ‘Second Best’ Point Guard Ever

The post Stephen Curry: NBA Finals MVP ‘Secondary’ to Winning appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala has long believed that Curry doesn’t get the respect he deserves from fans and critics, and ranks only Magic Johnson above him in the pantheon of floor generals.

Steph has been a revelation during Golden State’s playoff run, and led them back to the NBA Finals for a fifth consecutive year.

Per The Athletic:

“I think he’s the second best ever,” Iguodala said. “I always thought that about him. I knew but other people didn’t know.”

Monday, again, Curry worked his magic against the Blazers. This time, it wasn’t a performance for the ages. There was no memorable moment that will be etched in Warriors’ lore. Instead, it was rather trite, an expected excellence, another notch on a nearly completely perforated belt.

A 37-point triple-double, on the road, to eliminate a team and earn a trip to the Finals.

“This is what he does,” Iguodala said. “This who he is.”

Related ‘Ask the NBA, Man’: Andre Iguodala Says Stephen Curry Won’t Win MVP

The post Andre Iguodala: Stephen Curry ‘Second Best’ Point Guard Ever appeared first on SLAM.

Steph wore the “International Boulevard” colorway of the 6 en route to a game-high 37 points while Seth rocked a black/red Blazers colorway as he finished with 16 points including a three-pointer in the fourth which put Portland briefly up with a little over a minute to play.

Andre Iguodala had on the “90s Kid” Nike KD 12 as he came up with a clutch strip of Damian Lillard in the final seconds to seal Golden State’s 114-111 victory.

The rest of Game 2’s best kicks are just below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Playoff Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Lillard says he understands that referees weren’t going to step in and determine the outcome at that point, and credited the veteran forward for a great defensive play.

Iggy told reporters he took a calculated risk going for the steal on Dame—who finished with 23 points (on 6-of-16 shooting) and 10 assists—and helped give the Golden State Warriors a 2-0 series lead with a dramatic 114-111 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Per NBC Sports Northwest:

“You know, I got the ball,” Lillard said. “I think they knew we needed a three. I think it was under 10 seconds by the time I got a catch, and a quick two – we didn’t have any timeouts left. I don’t think that would have done much for us.

“We knew we were going to go for the three, so I was just trying to get space to get a three up. I know it’s a tough position for the referees to be in to make a call at that point of the game. I tried to get a little bit of space the first time and he grabbed my arm and I lost the ball a little bit. I regained it and I was going to shoot it again.

“But he got his hand on the ball. For me, as the offensive player, I felt like it was contact. There was a lot of contact. But obviously, the ref is not going to decide the game or jump in at that point. You know, so they – good defensive play.”

Iguodala explained his side of the play:

“Well, you look at the time and situation, up three, so the one thing that you don’t want to do is give up a three. You actually can take risks outside the three-point line and be extra aggressive. The key is not to give that up. If the guy drives by you, then you still have the lead. When you look at it that way, it wasn’t that good of a play. I just take odds on what you want to do and if the odds are in your favor, then for something like that to happen outside the three-point line.”

Related ‘We Stole That Game’: Warriors Take 2-0 Series Lead Against Portland

The post Damian Lillard: ‘There Was a Lot of Contact’ on Andre Iguodala Steal appeared first on SLAM.

The elder Curry’s 37 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists led the Golden State Warriors to a dramatic 114-111 victory over the Trail Blazers, overcoming a 16-points, 4-steal performance from Seth.

Portland now heads back home down 2-0 in the series, and still without any answers for Steph and the Dubs.

Per ESPN:

“It worked out perfectly tonight,” Stephen Curry joked after the game. “He played well, and we won.” The room laughed. It was the perfect older brother thing to say. But damn it, Seth Curry wanted this one. And Sonya wanted it for him, too.

“You know what my prayers have been?” she said, looking over at her younger son. “For Seth to steal the ball from Stephen, go down and hit a shot and lift his arms up.”

Seth actually did that Thursday. In fact, three of his four steals in the game came at the expense of his older brother.

“I feel like I’ve seen every Warrior game over the last 10 years,” Seth Curry said. “Every Steph game. So I feel like I know some of the things they like to do and some of the things he likes to do.”

Related ‘Seth Really Feels Like He’s Better Than Steph’: Curry Brothers Ready for Battle

The post Stephen Curry Outduels Seth Curry in Game 2 appeared first on SLAM.

“They outplayed us the majority of the night,” Kerr told reporters following the win, which included a 17-point comeback from the Warriors.

Stephen Curry (37 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) outdueled his brother Seth (16 points, 4 steals), and Damian Lillard had his pocket picked by Andre Iguodala with time running out and a chance to tie the game from beyond the arc.

Per The San Fran Chronicle:

“We stole that game,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after his team overcame a 17-point, second-half deficit to seize a 2-0 series lead at Oracle Arena. “I thought they outplayed us the majority of the night.”

Portland guard Damian Lillard — the Oakland native who has led the Blazers to the West finals for the first time in 19 years — went up for a potential game-tying 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left, only for Golden State forward Andre Iguodala to knock the ball out of his hands. Iguodala passed the ball to Stephen Curry, who launched it into the air to run out the clock. Curry then found Iguodala next to the Warriors’ bench and, grinning, high-fived Iguodala three times.

This was a celebration befitting a nationally televised larceny.

“They played like a championship team would at home,” Portland head coach Terry Stotts said of the Warriors. “They made plays in the last three minutes and we didn’t. They’ve been at this a long time. There isn’t much they haven’t seen.”

Related Post Up: Curry Bros Shine as Warriors Complete 17-Point Comeback

The post ‘We Stole That Game’: Warriors Take 2-0 Series Lead Against Portland appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala says only Magic Johnson ranks above Curry in the all-time NBA point guard rankings.

Steph led Golden State past the Philadelphia Sixers in a galvanizing 120-117 road win Saturday night.

Per the AP:

“It’s interesting, because I think he’s still underrated,” Warriors teammate Andre Iguodala said. “I still think he doesn’t really get the respect he deserves.”

With Curry back in the lineup in the fourth, the Warriors squashed Philly’s upset bid in front of a sellout crowd that included plenty of Philadelphia Eagles and the first appearances of Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper jerseys. Curry buried a 3-pointer for a 111-109 lead, the Sixers tied it, then Curry scored the next six points over the final 2:35 of the game to do what he does best — carry the Warriors in the clutch.

“We’re getting on this six-hour flight with smiles on our faces,” Curry said. “These feel good, these games where you figure out how to win in a playoff atmosphere.”

Curry took over for the Warriors in the fourth.

“He’s the second-best point guard ever. Argue that,” Iguoudala said.

Related ‘Ask the NBA, Man’: Andre Iguodala Says Stephen Curry Won’t Win MVP

The post Andre Iguodala: Stephen Curry ‘Doesn’t Really Get the Respect He Deserves’ appeared first on SLAM.

Needless to say, CP3 does not agree with Iggy that the Warriors would have swept Houston had the veteran forward been healthy.

Dubs head coach Steve Kerr added that opponents are starting to catch up to the two-time defending NBA champs.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

On Saturday at Oracle Arena, Paul delivered the Warriors a troubling reminder that he’s still very problematic, with 23 points, five rebounds, a game-high 17 assists and two steals to lead the Harden-less Rockets to a 118-112 victory.

“What did [Andre Iguodala] say about the series last year? If he would have played, they would have swept us? Then he must be the X-factor,” the 33-year-old Paul told Yahoo Sports in a slight verbal jab at Iguodala, who missed the final four games of last year’s West finals with a leg contusion. “That’s the punchline you needed, right?”

Paul may not be the speedster he once was, but he’s still plenty effective.

“I know what I’m capable of,” Paul told Yahoo Sports. “I’m not worried about what nobody else is talking about. … I’ll find a way [to be successful].”

Related Chris Paul Took Loss to Warriors ‘the Hardest’

The post Chris Paul Recalls Andre Iguodala’s Playoff Trash Talk appeared first on SLAM.

Golden State wing Andre Iguodala has been fined $25,000 for “recklessly” throwing the ball into the spectator stands in a game against Portland over the weekend.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 31, 2018

Iguadola went scoreless in Portland Saturday night and was ejected at halftime for launching the ball in the stands before the Warriors defeated the Blazers 115-105.

Iggy is averaging 5.4 points and 3.4 rebounds this season.

The post Andre Iguodala Fined $25K for ‘Recklessly’ Throwing Ball into Stands appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, 34, says he anticipates playing three more seasons after this one.

EXCLUSIVE: @Warriors forward Andre Iguodala tells @MontePooleNBCS “I’m going to be done soon" regarding his NBA career https://t.co/8odbFDI824 pic.twitter.com/497uK5AUnD

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 28, 2018

The 14-year veteran adds that whether or not the Golden State Warriors defend their NBA title this summer will weigh heavily on his decision-making.

Per NBC Sports Bay Area:

“I’m going to be done soon,” he told NBC Sports Bay Area this week. “I could probably play a legit five more years, but I’ll probably max out at three more after this year – maybe three more.

“But if I’m not here, that will weigh heavily on what I will do. I possibly have another year here – if we win. That’s it. I know that. I’m fine with it.”

Possibly? Reminded that he is under contract for the 2019-20 season, at 17.2 million, the final year of the three-year, $48 million deal he signed in July 2017, Iguodala waves it off.

“That’s if we win,” he said. “If not …”

Related
‘Ask the NBA, Man’: Andre Iguodala Says Stephen Curry Won’t Win MVP

The post Andre Iguodala: ‘I’m Going to Be Done Soon’ appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala says the NBA and the media that covers it—and votes on its awards—have an anti-Warriors bent.

The Stephen Curry-for-MVP campaign was word-of-mouth grassroots Warriors level at first, writes @timkawakami. Not anymore. https://t.co/ExkcEyUbZg

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticSF) October 25, 2018

Per The Athletic:

“Ask the NBA, man,” Iguodala said. “It don’t matter. They say we’re bad for the NBA … I hope Steph wins every award he possibly can. He’s the best point guard in the league. But he ain’t going to get it because they say we’re too good. It is what it is.”

Kevin Durant, who won the award in 2013-14, thinks Steph can “change that narrative” with his sustained, spectacular play for Golden State:

“Yeah, I think so, if you’re just looking at what’s happening on the basketball court,” said Durant. “Obviously, narratives play a big part. I think the MVP nowadays is the up-and-coming star in the NBA award.

“But it’s got to take somebody to do something like this [Wednesday night] to kind of break through and change that narrative. Players that have been in the league for a while, that have won a couple of MVPs, I’m sure the voters tend to overlook them — not maliciously, but just the fact that they’re looking for the next player.

“You’ve got to wake ’em up with games like that. Steph definitely did that tonight.”

Related
‘That Was Sick’: Stephen Curry Erupts for 51 Points in Three Quarters

The post ‘Ask the NBA, Man’: Andre Iguodala Says Stephen Curry Won’t Win MVP appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala says Durant is a hyper-efficient “walking 30 points.”

"He's the most talented scorer of all-time. Hands down"

Andre Iguodala on Kevin Durant https://t.co/mFtofBLyQk pic.twitter.com/bX8WYu45no

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 8, 2018

Iguodala adds that people don’t appreciate KD’s otherworldy abilities nearly enough.

Per Sports Illustrated:

What’s something that people don’t know about Kevin Durant?

Andre Iguodala: “People don’t appreciate him enough. He’s the most talented scorer of all-time. Hands down. He’s a walking 30 points. He’ll get 30 on 12 shots. That’s very, very hard to do. Very efficient. Most guys need to feel the ball in their hands a lot to get a rhythm. He doesn’t.

“Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were the two guys with unstoppable moves. MJ had the fadeaway and Kareem had the skyhook, but KD is a 7-footer who can hit a hesi pull-up from 50 feet out. That’s his unstoppable move.”

Related
Iguodala: Kevin Durant ‘Reminded Me of MJ’

The post Andre Iguodala: Kevin Durant is the ‘Most Talented Scorer of All-Time’ appeared first on SLAM.

In the end, he returned to the team and went on to win his third NBA Championship. Still, he took the opportunity to prank his head coach.

On The Lowe Post, Steve Kerr told ESPN’s Zach Lowe how Iguodala pranked him on the phone over his free-agency decision.

“Typical Andre. He decided to play a joke on Bob [Myers] and me. He got us on a conference call, told us he was gonna go to Sacramento.

“We wished him well, and he’s like, ‘I got you suckers. I’m coming back.’ That’s probably the first time it’s ever been told.

“But now that we’ve won a title and we got it all in our rearview mirror, that story can be told. But that’s typical Andre […] I bought it for a few seconds but he gave it away quickly.

“He just started laughing. He just said, ‘Nah, I’m just kidding.’ And it would have been shocking for him to leave this situation.”

Check out the full conversation from the podcast(at the 44:00 mark):

RELATED:
The Best Moments From Golden State’s Championship Parade

The post Andre Iguodala Pranked Steve Kerr By Saying He Was Joining The Kings 😂 appeared first on SLAM.

According to Warriors coach Steve Kerr, the series wouldn’t have even had a chance to go to seven games had Andre Iguodala been healthy enough to play the final three games of the series:

“While unwinding long after the win with Morton’s The Steakhouse cuisine and a cold one, Kerr responded to those words by saying, ‘We would have won the series in five if Iggy played.'” (via The Undefeated)

The post Steve Kerr: Warriors Would’ve Won WCF in 5 Games With Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

Steve Kerr broke the news to media during Monday morning’s shootaround:

“He’s frustrated. He’s totally frustrated. If he could play, he would play. His body had just not responded to this point. We’re still hoping over the next few days, if we’re able to win [Monday], that he’ll make some improvement. But he has not gotten to where he needs to be.” (via Mercury News)

Iguodala averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game during his 13 playoff appearances before bruising his knee during a collision with James Harden during game five of the Western Conference Finals.

The post Andre Iguodala Ruled Out For Game 7 appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala said Durant got to his spots in a similar way to how Jordan operated.

“He got to his spots. Got to his shot. It kind of reminded me of ‘90s basketball when you got to score and they get the ball at their spot, take one dribble. The defense can’t do anything about it.

“It kind of reminded me of MJ. I don’t like to make that comparison, but he got to his spots, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

“When you see that look in his face, it carries over to the rest of the guys and we in turn take that to the defensive end. Get stops, go back and do the same thing.”

https://youtu.be/1kxhSfLGqcQ

RELATED:
Draymond Green Sent Kevin Durant 4 AM Text Prior to Game 4

The post Iguodala: Kevin Durant ‘Reminded Me of MJ’ appeared first on SLAM.

Lineups turned into the scorer’s table: Warriors starting Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green together for the first time ever.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 6, 2018

The “Death Lineup” was a big key in clinching the 2017 NBA Title, playing together for 17 minutes in Game 5 of the Finals.

Golden State holds a 2-1 lead over the Pelicans right now.

The post Warriors to Start Their ‘Death Lineup’ for the First Time appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Sage Steele, only Andre Iguodala and Spencer Dinwiddie took some initiative.

“A week or so ago in Los Angeles during All-Star weekend, there was a meeting with officials, with Michele Roberts of the NBPA.

“Players were invited to talk to these officials to air the grievances out. Two guys showed up: Andre Iguodala and Spencer Dinwiddie. […]

“People complain, but when they have an opportunity to discuss it face-to-face, no one shows.”

RELATED:
Report: NBA Players Offended by Referees Using ‘Stop Hand’

The post Report: Only Andre Iguodala, Spencer Dinwiddie Attended Meeting With Referees appeared first on SLAM.

Fully-empowered by their head coach, the Golden State Warriors went on to rout the visiting Phoenix Suns 129-83.

Kerr says the Dubs had grown “tired” of his voice as they seek a third NBA championship in four years.

Per the SF Chronicle:

After the game, Kerr told Phoenix interim head coach Jay Triano that he intended no disrespect by letting his players lead huddles. A month spent watching his players have a tough time concentrating had made Kerr figure it was time to let someone else give orders.

“They’re tired of my voice,” Kerr said. “I’m tired of my voice. It’s been a long haul these last few years. I wasn’t reaching them, and we just figured it was probably a good night to pull a trick out of the hat and do something different.”

After Saturday’s win over San Antonio, Kerr told his players that he would let them run the timeouts against Phoenix. Iguodala led shootaround Monday morning, and center JaVale McGee ran the video session.

“As coaches, our job is to nudge players in the right direction,” Kerr said. “We don’t control them. … They came together really well tonight. They drew up some nice plays, and it was a great night for our guys.”

The post Steve Kerr Lets Warriors Players Coach vs Suns appeared first on SLAM.

There are the Warriors, with their four All-Stars and multiple MVPs, and the Thunder, with the newly constructed Big Three. There are the Rockets, rolling in with a backcourt that features a two-time MVP runner-up and arguably the decade’s best point guard, and the Cavaliers, where The King’s court now includes his old pal Dwyane Wade and will welcome back two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas in the very near future.

Basketball, for all its preaching of teamwork and espousing about culture, is a game of stars. And in the NBA universe, it’s stars who make the world go ’round.

And yet, a funny thing happens every year come Conference Finals time. Surely you’ve noticed it. Games slow down, just a bit, and weak links become highlighted—and then exposed. Maybe it’s a wing with a crooked J. Or perhaps it’s a stone-footed big that can’t contain pick-and-rolls.

Opponents find them—they always do—and suddenly all that hope that came riding into town with the shiny names vanishes into the night. That’s one of the cool things about basketball, especially at its highest level. It’s a five-man game, with a court not large enough to hide one man with a weakness.

This is where the supporting actors come in. You know them—the role players, the x-factors, the guys behind The Guys. The ones who do all the little things that come crunch time are anything but. They space the floor and man the back line, they spring open your favorite player with backbreaking screens and wrestle the other team’s top gun. Shane Battier and Robert Horry, Derek Fisher and Steve Kerr. These players, like the stars, come in all different shapes and sizes. Some are big, some are small, some do a little of it all. But go back and examine every champ and you’ll find one of them, their name alongside Kobe and LeBron. They are the irreplaceable men furnishing inerasable feats.

These are some of their stories.

***

The advice came from Stephon Marbury.

It was the summer of 2004 and Trevor Ariza, a lanky rookie forward out of UCLA, was struggling to find his place. The Knicks had taken a flyer on him with a second-round pick. They liked his 6-8 frame, his bounce and his length.

But Ariza, like so many in the NBA, was unsure of how exactly to adapt. Growing up in L.A. he had always been the focal point of his teams, and even during his lone year at UCLA he was one of the squad’s stars. Then he entered the NBA, and that’s when he realized he wasn’t as special as he thought. If he wanted to stick, he’d need to come up with a new plan.

During the preseason, Marbury, the Knicks’ star at the time, pulled him aside.

“You have to figure out a way to stay on the court,” Ariza recalls Marbury telling him. “Your mentality, your mindset, they have to change. You’re talented enough, but you have to show that you can do things other than score.”

It was an epiphany for Ariza, one that changed his career. Let others worry about scoring, he soon began to say. I’ll take care of the rest. And now here he is, 13 seasons later at the age of 32, not quite as spry as he once was yet still a key cog in a team with championship aspirations. What started as a survival strategy—“you quickly learn that everybody in the NBA can score,” Ariza says, “so if you want to be on the court you better figure something out”—has morphed into a mantra.

“My job,” says Ariza, now flanking James Harden and Chris Paul with the Rockets, “is to knock down shots, play defense, provide energy and keep everyone having a good time.”

For Ariza, this attitude changed his career. But for others of his ilk, that sort of thought process is built into their DNA.

“My role? I don’t know, I really haven’t given it much thought,” Thunder big man Steven Adams says. “I think the way I play is just my normal mindset. To be honest I’m just happy to be involved.”

Adams, though, is more than just involved. He’s essential to everything his Thunder do. Playing center is one of the most difficult positions to occupy in today’s up-tempo, space-and-pace League, and Adams deftly shuttles between old-school brute and new-school dancer as well as any big man in the NBA.

He deploys his 7-foot, 235-pound frame as a weapon for laying screens and on the offensive glass, two areas where he is among the best in the League. He’ll bang with a bruiser one possession, then glide with a guard on another—and never complain about a lack of post-up looks.

“My focus each game is mainly to set screens to make sure our defense is set,” Adams says. “Any type of scoring that happens is a bonus.”

James Posey, who won a title with the Heat in 2006 and another alongside the Celtics’ Big Three in 2008, says he feels the same way. Scoring, after all, was really never his thing, even back in college. Sure, there were times when he’d drill a couple of threes and then come down and jack a poor pull-up jumper, but, as he says, “If there was a game where I got 15 shots, we knew something was wrong.”

Posey is sitting courtside in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as he re-lives this part of his playing career. He’s gazing out onto the court’s wooden floor as Jae Crowder and Tristan Thompson prepare to warm up. Both Thompson, with his switchy defense and relentless motor, and Crowder, with his tenacious defense and smooth deep stroke, have perfected the art of filling the voids left by their team’s bigger names.

“And that’s what I’ve talked to them about,” Posey says. “Maybe one of those players are lacking a little bit. But I tell Jae all the time, ‘There are going to be games where you have to cover for these guys who don’t give extra effort all the time.’ And I think that’s something he thrives on. You’re doing it for a good cause.”

Like Adams, and Ariza, and Crowder, and Thompson, and Andre Iguodala, and even Draymond Green, whose super role player ways helped transform the Warriors into a superteam, all these players know they’ll never be the reason for bringing a title back to their respective cities. One of them, though, will have a moment. Maybe it will be a long jumper, or maybe sweet pocket pass, or perhaps a blocked shot. Whatever it is, you’ll notice it.

Then you’ll think back to all the other NBA teams, and why so many of them have trouble filling out their rotations with players capable of being two-way guys, only to recall just how few of these players there are. That’s what makes the superteams’ super role players so valuable. Only a handful exist. The ones that do wind up crowned as kings.

—

Yaron Weitzman is a Senior Writer at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @yaronweitzman.

Photos via Getty Images

The post Know Your Role appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Iguodala was blown away by Houston’s presentation, during which Chris Paul raved about the organization for roughly 20 minutes.

But at the last minute, Warriors GM Bob Myers convinced ownership to agree to Iguodala’s demands with a fully guaranteed three-year, $48 million contract.

[Chris] Paul, who had been a Rocket for just four days, raved about the closeness of the team and the transparency within the organization for about 20 minutes.

 

He revealed that the franchise’s openness was something he has never experienced in the NBA. Iguodala was captivated. […]

 

The meeting lasted almost two hours and was termed as “the best recruiting presentation of all time,” according to a source within Iguodala’s camp.

 

Afterward, sources said Iguodala canceled all subsequent meetings with the Sixers, LA Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz, and began investigating sign-and-trade possibilities.

 

The Rockets left without a commitment, but there was strong sentiment that he was Houston-bound.

RELATED:
Andre Iguodala Tweets That He’s Returning to Warriors

The post Report: Andre Iguodala Nearly Left Warriors For Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

They wrapped up the first 24 hours of the offseason by agreeing to a contract with the 2015 Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala.

Sources close to Andre Iguodala reporting agreed to terms to return to the bay….

— andre (@andre) July 2, 2017

Multiple reports confirm that Iguodala’s coming back on a 3-year, $48 million deal.

The 33-year-old averaged 7.6 points, 4 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 76 games this past season.

Related
2017 NBA Free Agent Tracker

The post Andre Iguodala Tweets That He’s Returning to Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Undoubtedly influenced by the Warriors’ dominance last season, teams have been making big acquisitions to counter the reigning champions.

As usual, we’ve broken down the NBA free agent signings into two categories: “On The Move” and “Staying Put.”

Below is a comprehensive look at the agreements made since the free-agency period began at midnight on July 1. Everything is a verbal agreement until the moratorium period ends on July 7.

Let us know in the comments who you think has had the best and worst offseason so far!

ON THE MOVE

Gordon Hayward: 4-year, $128 million deal with Celtics

Paul Millsap: 3-year, $90 million deal with Nuggets

Jeff Teague: 3-year, $57 million deal with Wolves

George Hill: 3-year, $57 million deal with Kings

JJ Redick: 1-year, $23 million deal with Sixers

Taj Gibson: 2-year, $28 million deal with Timberwolves

Danilo Gallinari: 3-year, $65 million deal with Clippers

Rudy Gay: 2-year, $17 million deal with Spurs

Jonathon Simmons: 3-year, $20 million deal with Magic

PJ Tucker: 4-year, $32 million deal with Rockets

Nick Young: 1-year, $5.2 million deal with Warriors

Omri Casspi: 1-year deal with Warriors

Langston Galloway: 3-year, $21 million deal with Pistons

Zach Randolph: 2-year, $24 million deal with Kings

Vince Carter: 1-year, $8 million deal with Kings

Patrick Patterson: 3-year, $16.7 million deal with Thunder

Kelly Olynyk: 4-year, $50-plus million deal with Heat

Darren Collison: 2-year, $20 million deal with Pacers

Ben McLemore: 2-year, $10.7 million deal with Grizzlies

Justin Holiday: 2-year, $9 million deal with Bulls

Tyreke Evans: 1-year, $3.3 million deal with Grizzlies

Jodie Meeks: 2-year, $7 million deal with Wizards

Bojan Bogdanovic: 2-year, $21 million deal with Pacers

Amir Johnson: 1-year, $11 million deal with Sixers

Michael Carter-Williams: 1-year, $2.7 million deal with Hornets

Jose Calderon: 1-year, $2.3 million deal with Cavaliers

Arron Afflalo: 1-year, $2.3 million deal with Magic

Zhou Qi: Multiyear deal with Rockets

Mike Scott: Veteran’s minimum deal with Wizards

Jamal Crawford: two-year, $8.9 million deal with Timberwolves

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: 1-year, $18 million deal with Lakers

Dewayne Dedmon: 2-year, $14 million deal with Hawks

Ramon Sessions: 1-year, $2.3 million deal with Knicks

Terrence Jones: 1-year, $2 million deal in China

Brandon Jennings: 1-year, $1.5 million deal in China

Ian Clark: 1-year, $1.6 million deal with Pelicans

Michael Beasley: 1-year deal with Knicks

STAYING PUT

Stephen Curry: 5-year, $201 million deal with Warriors

Kevin Durant: 2-year, $53 million deal with Warriors

Blake Griffin: 5-year, $173 million deal with Clippers

Jrue Holiday: 5-year, $126 million deal with Pelicans

Kyle Lowry: 3-year, $100 million deal with Raptors

Serge Ibaka: 3-year, $65 million deal with Raptors

Dion Waiters: 4-year, $52 million deal with Heat

Andre Iguodala: 3-year, $48 million deal with Warriors

James Johnson: 4-year, $60 million deal with Heat

Joe Ingles: 4-year, $52 million deal with Jazz

Patty Mills: 4-year, $50 million deal with Spurs

Tony Snell: 4-year, $46 million deal with Bucks

Cristiano Felicio: 4-year, $32 million deal with Bulls

Mason Plumlee: 3-year, $41 million with Nuggets

Shaun Livingston: 3-year, $24 million deal with Warriors

Kyle Korver: 3-year, $22 million deal with Cavs

Nene: 3-year, $11 million deal with Rockets

JaMychal Green: 2-year, $17 million deal with Grizzlies

Manu Ginobili: 2-year, $5 million with Spurs

David West: 1-year deal with Warriors

Andre Roberson: 3-year, $30 million deal with OKC

Mike Muscala: 2-year, $10 million deal with Hawks

Otto Porter: four-year, $106.5 million deal with the Wizards

The post 2017 NBA Free Agent Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, an unrestricted free agent, doesn’t have plans to meet with Golden State during free-agency period, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes:

Andre Iguodala doesn't have plans to meet with Golden State Warriors during free-agency period, league sources tell ESPN.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2017

At least seven teams—the Timberwolves, Spurs, Clippers, 76ers, Magic, Nets and Jazz—are reportedly chasing after the 33-year-old free agent forward.

RELATED:
Report: Andre Iguodala To ‘Seriously Consider’ Leaving Warriors

The post Report: Andre Iguodala Won’t Meet with Warriors during Free Agency appeared first on SLAM.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, LA Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz are reportedly among the teams chasing after the 33-year-old free agent forward.

ESPN Sources: How to weaken the Golden State Warriors? Andre Iguodala has become a targeted man. https://t.co/8dcXIUtdjk

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 27, 2017

It remains unclear if Iguodala will take meetings with anyone other than the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Per ESPN:

The open market, according to rival executives, poses a serious threat of stealing the 33-year-old veteran from the defending champs come July 1, the first day of the free-agency period.

 

With [Kevin] Durant electing to opt out and take less than his maximum, it allows the Warriors a chance to use their Bird rights to re-sign Iguodala to a deal far more comparable to what he’d likely see on the open market. However, if the two sides can’t reach an agreement, the Warriors can’t use that money to allocate it to an outside player of his stature.

 

And that’s what makes this free-agent situation so intriguing. It’s potentially addition by subtraction if a suitor succeeds in luring Iguodala away. That would not only improve the team that secures him, but it would also improve the league’s chances of gaining ground on the Warriors.

Related
Report: Andre Iguodala To ‘Seriously Consider’ Leaving Warriors

The post Report: Andre Iguodala Targeted By Seven Teams appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN, Durant will turn down his $27.7 million player option for next season and re-sign for approximately $4 million less than his max number.

ESPN Sources: Golden State Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant will decline player option to re-sign with champions. https://t.co/dpP101ro6M

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 19, 2017

The 2017 NBA Finals MVP will turn down a player-option salary of approximately $28 million to momentarily hit free agency with the intentions of taking less than the max he’s eligible for as a 10-year veteran.

 

This is in order to improve the Warriors’ chances of re-signing reserve stud Andre Iguodala, league sources told ESPN.

 

By Durant taking about $4 million less than his max next year and waiting to get his long-term extension for at least another season, the Warriors would be able to use their Bird rights on an Iguodala deal that is far more comparable to what he’d see on the open market.

RELATED:
Report: Andre Iguodala To ‘Seriously Consider’ Leaving Warriors

The post Report: Durant To Take $4 Million Paycut To Help Warriors Re-Sign Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, 33, is still expected to re-sign with the Warriors, who have his Bird Rights.

Sources: Andre Iguodala – core part of Warriors titles – plans to seriously consider free-agent overtures elsewhere. https://t.co/tRgXYtw2Mq

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 19, 2017

From Shams Charania of The Vertical:

Iguodala plans to seriously consider other teams in July, league sources told The Vertical. Prospective teams would need to show in meetings a vision to move toward contention to pry Iguodala from Golden State, league sources said.

 

Many teams are expected to pursue discussions with Iguodala, including the Warriors, Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks, league sources said.

 

Among teams around the league, there’s a belief that the value this summer for a two-way wing such as Iguodala could reach $20 million annually.

https://youtu.be/doTaUgJpgjI?t=48s

RELATED:
Andre Iguodala on Visiting Donald Trump’s White House: ‘Hell Nah’

The post Report: Andre Iguodala To ‘Seriously Consider’ Leaving Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Steph Curry saying, at this point, he wouldn't go to White House, but team hasn't had discussion pic.twitter.com/zVWo7qRj0Y

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 14, 2017

ORIGINAL STORY: With the Golden State Warriors claiming the 2017 NBA title on Monday night, reports have been circulating that the team does not want to participate in the customary White House visit, presumably to take a stand against president Donald Trump.

Forward Andre Iguodala revealed his take on the matter to Sam Amick of USA Today:

‘We’re going to do what our leader (Curry) does,’ Iguodala said. ‘I think we handle (the White House situation) when it gets there. I mean, it may be different. There might be somebody different in (office). That’s a realistic thing to say though, right? So you don’t know what’s going to happen.’

 

As for Iguodala’s vote?

 

‘Hell nah,’ he said of taking part in a visit.

Iggy cited the state of race relations under the Trump administration as one of the key reasons for his vote:

‘We all know (that it is getting worse),’ Iguodala said of racism. ‘I think it’s just the ignorance, the convenient ignorance. (It’s) not to say that people aren’t aware, but they just don’t want to address it (because) they don’t want to be attached to it so they ignore a lot of the bad things that happen. I feel like there are actions that occur, that continue the dividing of everyone. And I think that’s done on purpose.’

We’ll see what the Warriors end up deciding as the visit draws closer.

Related
Report: Warriors Unanimously Vote to Skip Trip To White House
Kobe Bryant Would Visit the Trump White House

The post Andre Iguodala on Visiting Donald Trump’s White House: ‘Hell Nah’ appeared first on SLAM.

The play—which looked very similar to any one of Draymond Green’s infamous leg kicks—went unnoticed by the referees as the final seconds ticked away in Golden State’s 118-113 victory.

https://youtu.be/k63hLZGqgus

On Thursday, Iguodala’s former teammate Marreese Speights drew attention to the play with a friendly joke with an ironic aftertaste.

“Hopefully you can have more kids,” Speights tweeted.

@andre hopefully you can have more kids

— Marreese Speights (@Mospeights16) June 8, 2017

Should the NBA discipline LeBron for his late-game kick? Let us know in the comments.

RELATED:
Report: LeBron James Wanted Cavaliers, Pistons To Swap Ownership in 2014

The post LeBron James Kicked Andre Iguodala in the Groin During Game 3 appeared first on SLAM.

The Finals’ high stakes, elevated pressure and intense magnifying glass make it the perfect place to debut sneakers. LeBron James pulled out the Nike Zoom Soldier 10 in last season’s mythical run. And if brands aren’t bringing new silhouettes, they’re making sure the current kicks get treated with eye-catching colorways.

With the exception of Dirk Nowitzki in 2011–it’s all good, he’s still a style icon–the last decade of Finals MVPs have won the ‘chip in either signature sneakers or PEs. In 2006, Dwyane Wade, who was the face of Converse, dropped 36 points in Game 6 while rocking the Wade 1.  James has worn signatures in each of his three title runs, and Kobe Bryant captured his last two rings while wearing his own sneakers. Paul Pierce, Andre Iguodala, Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker all joined the Finals MVP club in their own special colorways.

Check out the gallery above to see what they were wearing during their respective runs.

Related
SLAM 209 Cover Story: Cavs/Warriors Round 3 is the Clash of the Titans 

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

The post The Sneakers Worn by Every Finals MVP Since 2006 appeared first on SLAM.

Asked whether he knew about his upcoming night off, Iguodala responded, “Nope, no clue. I do what master say.”

Couple interesting postgame Andre Iguodala quotes tonight pic.twitter.com/4F44eZnVtM

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2017

Iguodala also blurted out another racially insensitive comment when asked about what led to the loss.

Via ESPN:

“We gotta score more than the other team. Yep, they want dumb n—-s, so I’m going to give y’all a dumb n—-.”

Asked whether the Warriors’ issues run beyond scoring, Iguodala responded:

“What would a dumb n—- say? ‘Just play harder. Figure it out. Change gonna come.’ You know what we used to say. Change gonna come.”

Iguodala later clarified his “master” remark, saying that it was locker room talk.

“Me and Steve are cool,” Iggy said. “[People] can think what they want to think.”

Spoke w/ @Andre Iguodala about "master" comment. He made it clear that in no way was he referring to Steve Kerr. Was an inside locker joke.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 11, 2017

RELATED:
Warriors Resting Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala Vs Spurs

The post Andre Iguodala on Sitting vs Spurs: ‘I Do What Master Say’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Warriors are sitting a bunch of guys in San Antonio tomorrow night: Draymond Green, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala.

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2017

It’s the first time Golden State has rested all four—let alone three—of their stars together.

Curry told reporters, “Even if we tried to suit up tomorrow, he’s not going to play us. So it is what it is.”

Steph Curry on resting vs Spurs tomorrow: "It is what it is" pic.twitter.com/9NnTLZx4IU

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2017

Green said, “It’s a very interesting thing that Steve’s doing by sitting us. I can’t say we don’t need [the rest].”

Draymond Green on Steve Kerr's decision to rest the main guys tomorrow and whether it's a statement to NBA pic.twitter.com/TKeDHdjE7s

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 11, 2017

Friday’s loss was the Warriors’ second straight and fourth in six games.

A loss to the Spurs would drop the Warriors’ lead in the West to only a half-game.

RELATED:
Andre Iguodala on Sitting vs Spurs: ‘I Do What Master Say’

The post Warriors Resting Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala Vs Spurs appeared first on SLAM.

The Dubs’ historic collapse directly led to the acquisition of Kevin Durant this summer, and Andre Iguodala is envisioning a bunch of championship rings in the near future.

KD says that joining the Warriors was an “easy choice.”

Per the Mercury News:

Durant was asked for a fuller explanation on why he picked the Warriors. He called it an ‘easy choice’: “It felt like it was a perfect fit. It was something I was searching for when I sat down and talked to these guys. I wanted to see if what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen on the outside is really true. Do these guys really genuinely love each other? They work together. You hear family a lot. That’s just a word sometimes, but this is really a lifestyle here. You can feel it when you walk in the door, in the practice facility, everybody is just together. That’s something that I can appreciate as a basketball player and someone who values relationships. You can tell that that’s what they stand on, that’s what we stand on. I feel really grateful to play for a team like that and play with a bunch of players who are selfless and enjoy the game in its purest form. They make it about the players, they make it about the environment, so it was really an easy choice.”

 

Iguodala on the Finals loss: “I said this after we lost. Losing this game might propel us to four championships. Then when you go recruit a guy who’s available like this, once every 25 years. If we would’ve won, I don’t know if we would’ve got him. We lose, got a chance and there’s a chance to go after four or however many we possibly got a chance to get. You understand that – J Cole is a rapper and he says that, ‘There’s beauty in pain and there’s struggle in success.’ That was the beauty in the pain. In the Finals, we made a lot of mistakes we can fix. But going through that struggle and getting something like this, hopefully we can do great things.”

Related
Warriors’ Andre Iguodala: OKC Was ‘Better Than Us, Better Than Cleveland’ in the Playoffs (VIDEO)

The post Andre Iguodala: Game 7 Loss ‘Might Propel Us to Four Championships’ appeared first on SLAM.

Season veteran Andre Iguodala has been talking up the big man since Media Day and told ESPN‘s Ethan Strauss that McGee is “so much better” than some players who earned big money over the summer:

“Talk to some different people, GMs, front office people. [JaVale is] so much better than a lot of these guys who got paid this past year. Like, so much better.”

McGee has career averages of 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He signed a “make-good” contract with the Warriors in July.

Related
JaVale McGee Posterizes Helpless Defender at the Drew League
WATCH: Dorell Wright Posterizes JaVale McGee
WATCH: JaVale McGree Blocks Jonathon Simmons From Behind

The post Andre Iguodala: JaVale McGee Is ‘So Much Better Than A Lot Of These Guys Who Got Paid This Past Year’ appeared first on SLAM.

It wasn’t always pretty during the Golden State Warriors opening pre-season game against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday.

But late in the second quarter, the Warriors turned the break into showtime.

Stephen Curry flipped up an outlet pass from Draymond Green,  and found a trailing Andre Iguodala for a thunderous, two-handed dunk.

Poetry in motion.

The post WATCH: Stephen Curry Tosses Showtime Lob to Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

Iggy has been in the League for twelve years now, playing multiple roles for three different teams. The star sixth man has been advising the rook on how to be a better defender. Pretty sure Andre knows a thing or two about that.

Here are some quotes from Ingram’s interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, which can be heard in full above:

“When I played with the USA Select Team, all those guys were giving me advice. Even guys playing pickup coming to the Lakers facility. (Including) Andre Iguodala.

 

“I watch a lot of his play defensively. He’s a great defensive guy. I even text with him sometimes, and he just tells me it’s going to be a process, but I have a chance to be special on the defensive end and offensive end.”

When asked what makes Iguodala such a lethal defender, Ingram responded:

“He’s long. He has a 7-foot-3 wingspan. He’s smart. He gets his hands on a lot of deflections, and he just plays the right way.”

Facts.

The post Brandon Ingram Is Receiving Advice From Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

Most notably, Iguodala said the following, when asked about teaming up with KD despite the fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder nearly defeated the Dubs in the Western Conference Finals:

“Now that we got KD, I can say it: They were the best team last year in the playoffs. They were better than us, they were better than Cleveland. They were the best team in the playoffs. They should have won a championship.”

Iguodala also touched on the Warriors’ upcoming season—saying “I hope we lose a little bit” to stay humble—a few other teams around the League, like the Knicks, and if he watches the WNBA. (Dre even admits he won’t pay for apps on his phone.) Watch the whole interview in the video above.

The post Warriors’ Andre Iguodala: OKC Was ‘Better Than Us, Better Than Cleveland’ in the Playoffs (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

There was some concern about his status for Game 7, as he didn’t practice on Saturday.

But Iguodala quickly laid those concerns to rest, saying he’ll be “ready to go” for Sunday. From CSN Bay Area:

Andre Iguodala did not practice today and got treatment instead. Said:
"I'll be ready to go (Game 7) whether perfectly fine or not".

— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) June 18, 2016

Andre Iguodala told me left Game 6 because his back locked up on him. Had to "release it".Said caused by perfect storm of travel/wear & tear

— Ros Gold-Onwude (@ROSGO21) June 18, 2016

The post Andre Iguodala Says He’s ‘Ready To Go’ For Game 7 appeared first on SLAM.

Andre Iguodala might want to start wearing a cup. For the second consecutive game, the Warriors sixth man took a shot below the belt.

In Game 1, Dre and Matthew Dellavedova got into it after Delly hit the reigning Finals MVP with a low blow while reaching for the ball. In Game 2, Iguodala felt the wrath of LeBron James’ elbow as he got hit in the groin while James back him down in the post.

If we can take anything away from the 2016 Playoffs it’s that if you’re gonna hoop, protect your private parts at all times.

The post Andre Iguodala Takes Another Shot Below the Belt (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” aired the bit Thursday night to coincide with Game 1 of the Finals.

Per the late-night talkshow:

Sports fans are very passionate about their favorite teams and players. They love to love, and sometimes they love to hate.

 

With that said, it’s time for another special NBA edition of #MeanTweets featuring Jalen Rose, Klay Thompson, Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook, Reggie Miller, Doc Rivers, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Stephan Curry, DeAndre Jordan and Dikembe Mutombo.

The post WATCH: NBA Stars Read Mean Tweets appeared first on SLAM.

KD, meanwhile, continues to be tight-lipped about his plans going forward.

Kevin Durant calmly walked off the floor for the Thunder before hugging several teammates, GM Sam Presti and lastly team owner Clay Bennett.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) May 31, 2016

Kevin Durant on the idea of a one-year deal: pic.twitter.com/5VDAQ8wnbA

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 1, 2016

Kevin Durant on whether he'll consult with Russell Westbrook during the free agency process: pic.twitter.com/zi1rPArlKG

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 1, 2016

Durant, 27, says he’s still getting over the pain of his team’s epic collapse against the Dubs in the Western Conference Finals.

Per the Bay Area News Group and ESPN:

“He made some really tough shots, which is what I expected,” Iguodala said of Durant. “He’s a fighter and competitor and fought to the end. It must be fun playing with a guy like that.” […] Iguodala quickly added a follow-up: “Unless I’m not playing with him.”

 

And while the topic of what’s next after such a nightmarish series collapse was one Durant had zero interest in discussing, come free-agency time, expect the 27-year-old to listen to, most notably, his agent Rich Kleiman of Roc Nation and his business manager and childhood friend Charlie Bell. […] “We will figure it out,” Durant said. “I will talk to my agent, my best friend and my dad. Just talk to those three guys and get some advice from other people. But for the most part, I will talk to them in the next couple of weeks. I don’t even know where my mind is right now. I can’t think about what is going to happen in a month. I’m just thinking about what we’ve all been through as a team and embrace my brothers right now.”

 

“He loves this team and wants to win in Oklahoma as bad as anybody,” Kleiman said. “He’s going to have to get over tonight and take everything day-by-day. […] They had an incredible run. They are as good as anybody in the league. They have a championship roster. Kevin is going to win his championship any year now. It just motivates him more. He’s locked in right now. We will just let him feel how he feels tonight and keep talking, keep building.”

The post Andre Iguodala on Kevin Durant: ‘Must Be Fun Playing With a Guy Like That’ appeared first on SLAM.

In one of the best postseason games in recent memory, the Warriors embarked on a late 9-0 run to steal victory from the Thunder at the Chesapeake Arena. Despite Russell Westbrook’s best efforts (28 points, 11 dimes, 9 boards), Klay Thompson was simply too much for OKC to handle. Thompson hit an NBA postseason record 11 3-pointers and finished with 41 points, propelling the Warriors to a deciding Game 7 at Oracle Arena. After the game, Thompson described his feelings succinctly:

“What a game. What a game. The NBA should thank us for that game.”

"Look at this catch-and-release, are you kidding me?!"- @realchriswebber https://t.co/ZFuWVXjft5

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 29, 2016

Despite finishing with 29 points, Kevin Durant shot a woeful 10-31 from the field while committing a crucial turnover late in regulation. Golden State received double-doubles from Draymond Green (14 points, 12 boards) and Stephen Curry in the winning effort (20 points, 10 rebounds). Tonight’s stunning development has set up a Game 7 showdown on Memorial Day…who can be mad at that?

Thoughts on Game 7, Steph and Draymond?https://t.co/iWjy4nvqsB

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 29, 2016

The post Post Up: Going Seven appeared first on SLAM.

The post Andre Iguodala Gets Up for Putback Dunk (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Andre Iguodala on his wild and-1: "It wasn't fun. I thought I was going to die."

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 19, 2016

Here are more angles:

https://vine.co/v/i0VaF6YIV63

https://vine.co/v/i09YLVFPYAr

The post WATCH: Andre Iguodala Hits Ridiculous Layup appeared first on SLAM.

Klay Thompson scored a game-high 34 points, and the Dubs had important contributions from Andre Iguodala, Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston.

.@KlayThompson: "I'm mesmerized by @ShaunLivingston. You can't ask for a better back-up point guard in this league." pic.twitter.com/U0a1vrKnkn

— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) April 19, 2016

James Harden paced the Rockets with 28 points and eleven boards.

Per the AP:

“We’ve relied on our depth all year, not just when Steph’s out,” Draymond Green said. “I think we’re the deepest team in the NBA.” […] Thompson scored 34 points and dished out five assists and the Warriors held off the Houston Rockets 115-106 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in their playoff series despite no Curry, sidelined because of an injured right ankle.

 

“Ahh, it’s so much easier without him out there. When Steph’s out there, his man just sags in the paint, he doesn’t move the ball, he’s a very selfish teammate,” cracked Thompson. “I’m just kidding, man, he’s the exact opposite of that. I think we showed it’s hard to fill that void. No one’s going to do it by themselves.”

 

Andre Iguodala, last year’s Finals MVP, added 18 points with four 3-pointers and Green had 12 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. He didn’t commit a turnover in 39 minutes, his longest stretch without one in the regular season or playoffs. […] Shaun Livingston, who left Sunday’s practice with an illness, had 16 points and six assists playing in Curry’s place.

The post Warriors Beat Rockets in Game 2 Without Stephen Curry (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Interesting no one is talking about a wreckless play from this week. Guess its just the "top 5 dirty" players who are capable. #checkthetape

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) March 13, 2016

Bogut believes that international cats are unfairly targeted as playing dirty.

The Golden State Warriors center says he doesn’t believe Lillard intentionally hurt Iguodala.

Per the Bay Area News Group:

“What do you think if a different guy did that like a (Matthew) Dellavedova?” Bogut asked about his Australian countryman and friend who played college basketball at Saint Mary’s. […] Both Bogut and Dellavedova have been labeled “dirty” players in the past and most recently in January when a Los Angeles Times poll of 24 anonymous coaches, assistants and players gave the two multiple votes for being among the dirtiest.

 

“It seems like certain guys – predominantly international – that are the dirty guys in the league,” Bogut said. “That would have been a national outrage if it was somebody else. It goes back to I don’t think Damian did it on purpose. I don’t think he did it on purpose. I don’t think he tried to hurt Andre. But the be-all end-all, it’s a reckless play. No matter how you look at it. I don’t think he tried to hurt him, but at the same time, you dove for a loose ball through someone’s legs. That’s what happens, and that’s just unfortunate, but like I said, they’d be calling for his head (if it was somebody else).

 

“There’s a huge double standard, a massive double standard. And I’m not saying Damian should get in trouble. Nothing like that…It’s more like the perception afterwards of the double standard. Like if it’s a big 7-foot international guy, all of a sudden, ‘Oh yeah, he’s not as skilled or talented.’ An All-Star does it, ‘You know, he was just hustling.’ Which is a disappointing thing.”

The post Andrew Bogut Says ‘Predominantly International’ NBA Players are Considered Dirty appeared first on SLAM.

Golden State Warriors swingman Andre Iguodala will miss a minimum of two weeks because of a sprained left ankle, the team announced.

 

“It’s a big deal. It’s a really big deal. Andre is so important to everything that we do,” coach Steve Kerr said before Saturday’s 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns. “It’s not just schematically, but in terms of emotion: He settles us down. … He’s one of our guys who knows what’s happening on the floor.”

 

Iguodala suffered the injury Friday with two minutes left in the third quarter of his team’s 128-112 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He and Portland’s Damian Lillard pursued a loose ball, and Lillard wound up undercutting Iguodala and rolling over his ankle.

 

“He got it good,” Iguodala said.

 

He stuck around to shoot free throws, then Golden State fouled to stop the clock and Iguodala hobbled to the locker room. Following Friday’s win, the Warriors’ sixth man used an umbrella as a cane to ease the burden on his sprained ankle as he departed Oracle Arena, where the team has now won 48 consecutive games.

 

Iguodala was considered questionable for Saturday’s game, but an MRI confirmed the ankle sprain. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

The post Andre Iguodala Will Miss Two Weeks With Sprained Ankle appeared first on SLAM.

Dray splashed home a splay-legged three-pointer, breaking the visiting Atlanta Hawks’ hearts and extending the defending champs’ unbeaten streak on their home floor with a thrilling 109-105 overtime win.

Warriors earn their 43rd consecutive regular-season home win, the second-longest regular-season home winning streak in NBA history.

— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 2, 2016

Golden State has won five-straight OT games, tied for its longest overtime winning streak in franchise history (2/2/64-12/15/64).

— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 2, 2016

Golden State improves to 54-5 (.915) on the season, the best record in NBA history through the season's first 59 games.

— GSWStats (@gswstats) March 2, 2016

Green finished with a near triple-double of 15 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Per the SF Chronicle:

Green apologized Monday for a locker-room tirade during halftime of Saturday’s overtime win in Oklahoma City. If they ever really stopped being the most joyous squad on the planet, the Warriors quickly returned to that designation as Green led a total team effort with 15 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and four steals. […] “What can you say?” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said, searching for words to describe how Green willed the Warriors to a victory without their captains. “Another near triple-double. Point guard. He was our point forward tonight. It was a brilliant performance from Draymond.”

 

Paul Millsap’s layup trimmed Atlanta’s deficit to 104-103 with 1:05 remaining, but Green made a leg-sprawling, shot-clock-beating three-pointer for a 107-103 lead with 40.2 ticks on the clock. Following the crowd-stirring shot, Green low-fived Kerr in celebration.

 

The Warriors (54-5), playing without Curry (left ankle) and Iguodala (left hamstring), had six players in double-digit scoring and got a basket from all 11 players who logged minutes. They extended their regular-season home winning streak to 43 games, one shy of the NBA mark set by the Chicago Bulls from March 1995 to April 1996. […] Along with Green’s huge game, the Warriors got 26 points from Thompson, a season-high 19 from Andrew Bogut, 12 from Harrison Barnes and a combined 21 from Leandro Barbosa and Marreese Speights off the bench.

The post WATCH: Draymond Green Hits Killer Three-Pointer to Beat Atlanta appeared first on SLAM.

As Saturday’s game inched closer to the end of regulation, Andre Iguodala took flight to turn Stephen Curry’s errant trey into a vicious putback slam. The Warriors would go on to edge the Clippers 115-112.

The post WATCH: Andre Iguodala Rocks Rim on Huge Putback appeared first on SLAM.

The post WATCH: New NBA Commercial ‘Hands’ Starring Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

Check out U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Finalists Roster – https://t.co/vayEDA2kM4 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/vvxEfXygFl

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) January 18, 2016

18 of the players have a combined 29 Olympic or FIBA Baskteball gold medals.

Mike Krzyzewski is once again serving as head coach, with assistance from Jim Boeheim, Tom Thibodeau and Monty Williams.

From the press release:

Three-time Olympic medalists Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) headline the list of 30 finalists today named for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team by USA Basketball. The player selections were approved by the USA Basketball Board of Directors. The official 12-member 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team roster will be announced later this year. […] Featuring 18 players who have collected 29 Olympic or FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medals and six bronze medals, the 30 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team include: LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs); Anthony; Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors); Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards); Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls); Mike Conley (Memphis Grizzlies); DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans); DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors); Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets); Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings); Paul George (Indiana Pacers); Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Houston Rockets); Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz); Dwight Howard (Houston Rockets); Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors); Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers); James; DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers); Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs); Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors); John Wall (Washington Wizards); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

 

“It seems like I say this each time we have to narrow down a roster, but I am struck by the remarkable commitment the players in the USA Basketball National Team program continue to display and the enthusiasm they have for representing their country,” said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, who has served as the managing director of the USA Men’s National Team since 2005.

 

“The depth of talent that exists in the national team program is extraordinary. Repeating as gold medalists at the 2016 Olympics will not be easy, but we feel confident that we have 30 finalists who offer amazing basketball abilities and special versatility. We’re also fortunate that the roster is comprised of so many veterans of international basketball. In addition to 18 players who have won Olympic and/or World Cup gold medals, there are 16 finalists who have played between 20 and 72 games for USA Basketball. That experience is extremely valuable and something we’ve not always had available to draw upon. […] Obviously selecting the official roster of 12 players for the Olympics in 2016 will be a very, very difficult process. As has been the case with past USA Basketball teams, the goal once again is to select the very best team possible to represent the United States.”

Related
Kobe Bryant Drops Out of Rio Olympics Consideration

The post USA Basketball Names 30 Finalists for 2016 Olympic Team appeared first on SLAM.

Before the season started, Andre Iguodala had started every single game he played in the NBA. All 800-plus over 10 seasons, including the Playoffs. This season, he didn’t start any. An All-Star in Philly (for one year, anyway), he’s become just another cog in the Warrior machine, albeit one who can guard multiple positions and finish breaks in the traditional manner. Which, for GS, is something.

Because, let’s face it, a team that can end a two-on-one (or three-on-one) break with an uncontested three and have it actually be the right decision doesn’t have much need for dunks. Why settle for 2 points when you can get 3? And when the Splash Brothers are splashing, even Riley Curry knows that open jumpers are cash money.

Still, sometimes the opportunity presents itself. Like in Game 2 of the Western Finals, Dwight Howard left to fend for himself as the ball goes from Leandro Barbosa to Andrew Bogut to a trailing Iguodala whom Dwight can only watch as he soars past, throwing down hard enough to send the ball back toward midcourt, leaving a tangled net–and a flummoxed Howard–in its wake. Splash that.

The post Slamadamonth, SLAM #190: Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

The post WATCH: Steph Curry Throws Lob to Andre Iguodala appeared first on SLAM.

After leading by three with 10 seconds left in the game, the wheels came off for Brooklyn. Andre Iguodala connected on a three to tie things up, and Golden State would go on a 10-0 run in overtime. Draymond Green compiled a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Steph Curry added 34 points of his own.

Cavaliers 105 (8-2), Bucks 108 (5-5)

The Bucks persevered for an exhilarating victory in double-overtime over LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Jabari Parker and Michael Carter-Williams posted highlight-reel jams in the first half, while King James sent the game to OT with a two-handed jam, and kept it there with a clutch block. Despite LeBron’s efforts, Cleveland absorbed their second loss of the season.

Pistons 96 (5-4), Clippers 101 (6-4)

Jamal Crawford led the way with a season-high 37 points, while Blake Griffin added 34 points with eight rebounds and nine assists. Griffin pulled off a slick cross-over in the early going, sending Anthony Tolliver to the deck.

Magic 99 (5-6), Wizards 108 (4-4)

Kris Humphries led the Wizards with 23 points Saturday, going 5-for-8 beyond the ark with two blocks and five rebounds. Astonishingly, Humphries entered the year without having hit a three since the 2004-2005 season.

Mavericks 110 (6-4), Rockets 98 (4-6)

Despite playing without the services of Dirk Nowitzki, Chandler Parsons, and Wesley Matthews, the Mavericks seemingly had little trouble handing Houston their fourth home loss of the season. Raymond Felton dropped 23 points with six rebounds, earning props from head coach Rick Carlisle.

Rick Carlisle on Raymond Felton: "Looking at the plus-minus, he may be our most productive player this season." #DALatHOU

— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) November 15, 2015

76ers 83 (0-10), Spurs 92 (7-2)

Congrats are in order for Tim Duncan, whose five-block performance propelled him past David “The Admiral” Robinson on the NBA All-Time Blocks List. Congrats are not in order for the 76ers, who are still looking for their first win of the season.

Nuggets 81 (5-5), Suns 105 (5-4)

The Suns pounced on a lethargic Denver team, led by a 30-point effort from Eric Bledsoe. Mirza Teletovic put in work off the bench, recording 11 points and nine rebounds in Saturday’s victory.

The post Post Up: Pulling Overtime appeared first on SLAM.

The post Andre Iguodala Hits Clutch Three to Tie Game (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The reigning NBA Finals MVP, though, isn’t looking to be considered the top sixth-man in the L.

Iguodala, 31, dismisses the Sixth Man of the Year award by confoundingly comparing it to affirmative action.

Per USA Today:

“You learn how to embrace (the role), and when you embrace things, things tend to work out in your favor,” said Iguodala, who is again expected to play behind starter Harrison Barnes while leading the second unit. “I’ve been through (playing sixth man) for a year, (I) understand it a trillion times more than last year. Definitely more comfortable. I’m actually looking forward to it.”

 

As for the notion of winning the Sixth Man of the Year award, Iguodala was quick to stop the conversation there. His view, as he so comically shared, is that the individual accolades should begin and end with the league’s MVP award.

 

“I’m not a fan of the award, actually,” he said. “It’s like affirmative action or something (like that) to me.”

The post Andre Iguodala on Sixth Man Award: ‘It’s Like Affirmative Action’ appeared first on SLAM.

Previously:
Week of July 3 – July 9
NBA Players React to the 2015 NBA Draft

The post NBA Tweets Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala, who gritted his teeth last season and accepted his sixth man role, posted a flurry of tweets Thursday night in which he jokingly made outlandish demands to his coach.

Then trade me… https://t.co/eahYRKAKYf

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) July 16, 2015

Ha! Got eeeeem! Yall know I'm playing #weStillSchampionship

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) July 16, 2015

Yall fell for that one!

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) July 16, 2015

Aight the only way I'll still come off the bench… 1. I wanna left handed set of golf clubs 2. Some Cambodian breast milk…

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) July 17, 2015

And Steve Kerr gotta walk to juniors and get me some cheesecake…

— Andre Iguodala (@andre) July 17, 2015

Kerr, gearing up for this weekend’s American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, says he briefly discussed Iguodala’s role during the title celebration last month.

Per the Mercury News:

Beside sharing tales about the championship glory, Kerr did talk some shop about the team’s plans, most notably that he doesn’t expect to change the starting lineup and insert NBA Finals MVP Andre Iguodala back into it.

 

“I saw him at the postgame party in Cleveland, went up and said, ‘Congrats, MVP, you were incredible, what a job. And you’re going back to the bench next year,'” Kerr said. “And he laughed. And I laughed. Obviously kind of a joke.

 

“But I don’t anticipate changing anything. We won 67 games with the group that we had. And we’ve got our core back, just about everybody’s back. And more than likely we’ll play it the same way. But you never know how things go. We’ll see. But the good thing is we’re capable of playing a lot of different ways with a lot of different combinations, as we showed throughout the season.”

The post Andre Iguodala Pretends to Be Angry About Coming Off the Bench Next Season appeared first on SLAM.

Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP, having helped the Dubs turn the series around after he was surprisingly inserted into the starting lineup.

Stephen Curry says this squad ranks right up there with the League’s other all-time greats.

Per the AP:

“We beat the first unit more times than they beat us, and I think it was by a landslide,” Iguodala said. […] So good, so deep that the MVP of the NBA Finals never started a game all season, the Warriors built the kind of squad that can compete for many NBA titles.

 

“He was great the entire series. But he saved this season for us,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “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.”

 

They are good enough to do it again, provided they keep Green and Harrison Barnes once they are eligible for free agency, and if they can find a way to overcome the rugged Western Conference. Plenty of teams that looked great one year couldn’t do it the next on the stronger side of the NBA bracket. But not many of those teams had what these Warriors had, a team that ultimately won 83 games, more than any team other than Michael Jordan’s Bulls. […] “I think we definitely are a great team, and a team that should go down in history as one of the best teams from top to bottom,” Curry said. “We have a lot of things to be proud of this season.”

Related
WATCH: NBA Finals Game 5 Mini-Movie
WATCH: NBA Finals Game 4 Mini-Movie
WATCH: NBA Finals Game 3 Mini-Movie
WATCH: NBA Finals Game 2 Mini-Movie
WATCH: NBA Finals Game 1 Mini-Movie

The post WATCH: NBA Finals Game 6 Mini-Movie appeared first on SLAM.

Stephen Curry and the Dubs broke a 40-year championship drought, triggering a wild celebration Tuesday night back in Oakland.

Curry scored 25 points and handed out eight dimes in the 105-97 Game 6 clincher, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James‘ herculian efforts.

Stephen Curry with 25 points, 8 assists, 3 steals in Game 6 closeout win. pic.twitter.com/Ocv3EragAb

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) June 17, 2015

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) June 17, 2015

Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP.

Per the SF Chronicle:

Just before the buzzer finally sounded on the Warriors’ 105-97 Game 6 victory, Curry tossed the ball high into the air and set off a joyous celebration that seemingly had been waiting to pour forth forever and eventually spilled into the locker room. […] “I could not be happier for our fan base, because they support us through everything,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, shirt drenched through with victory Champagne and hair disheveled during the merriment.

 

“Their plan was to force Draymond (Green) and Andre to beat them, and Andre did,” Kerr said. “…For us, it’s really fitting that the award went to Andre. … It set the whole tone of the season … when an All-Star and an Olympian said, ‘OK, I’ll come off the bench.’” […] When Curry controlled the general pace of the game while putting up 25 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals, it made Warriors fans forget that the franchise traded Sleepy Floyd only five months after the 1987 “Sleepy Floyd Game” (51 points) against the Lakers.

 

“From the time we started the season, this is what we envisioned,” Curry said. […] “We felt like it would work, but I’d be lying to you if I said I felt like we were going to win the NBA title,” Kerr said.

The post Stephen Curry Scores 25 Points in Title-Clinching Game 6 (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Iguodala became the first NBA Finals MVP without a start in that regular season.

The post Finals MVP Andre Iguodala Scores 25 Points in Closeout Win (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The post Andre Iguodala Hits David Lee With Behind-the-Back Pass for Easy Dunk (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

This was Iggy’s very first start of the season.

It paid off handsomely—the veteran forward matched teammate Stephen Curry with a team-high 22 points, and helped the Warriors take a must-win Game 4 with a convincing 103-82.

The decision to go super-small made the Warriors a quicker, more confident unit, and the dog-tired Cleveland Cavaliers simply couldn’t keep up.

Game 5 in Oakland promises to be a war.

Per the SF Chronicle:

“The move changed the chessboard,” Kerr said. “I think it was important to get better spacing. We had five guys out there who can run pretty fast, so we got up and down the floor pretty quickly, and that helped us get off to a better start.” […] In an attempt to regain the feverish pace with which they played all season, the Warriors subbed swingman Andre Iguodala into the starting lineup for center Andrew Bogut and pushed the tempo every time they had a chance.

 

After deciding not to defend Tony Allen in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals — a move that helped erase a 2-1 deficit in Memphis — Thursday’s adjustment in Cleveland might have taken even more gumption. […] The Warriors’ starting lineup of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green and Bogut was the second-most successful since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71. The Warriors went 9-6 without Bogut during the regular season and he played only 2:46 Thursday.

 

The Warriors also got 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists from Green, 14 points and eight rebounds from Barnes, nine points and five rebounds from David Lee and seven points, eight rebounds and four assists from Shaun Livingston. […] It shows Kerr is “not afraid to take a chance, and obviously, it’s not a blind guess,” Curry said. “He’s obviously invested in our team and a smart coach who is willing to make adjustments to help us be in a better position to win a game.”

The post Andre Iguodala Comes Up Huge for the Warriors in Game 4 (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Steph Curry and Andre Iguodala led a balanced small-ball attack for the Warriors, scoring 22 apiece in a 103-82 Golden State win. Timofey Mozgov took advantage of the Dubs going small to score a game-high 28 for the Cavs, while LeBron James totaled 20 points, 12 boards, and 8 dimes. LeBron shot 7 of 22 in the process, and with Matthew Dellavedova going 3-for-14, JR Smith 2-for-12 and Iman Shumpert 2-for-9, the Cavs didn’t have a prayer.

Not that they lacked effort: Cleveland cut a 12-point halftime lead to 6 at the end of the third, but in LeBron’s 90 seconds on the bench to start the fourth, the Warriors quickly pushed the lead back to double digits and never let up down the stretch. Now it’s back to Oakland for Game 5, which may not be “must-win” for either team, but sure does feel like it for the Cavs.

The post Warriors Regroup in Game 4, Tie Finals 2-2 appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of May 22 – May 28
Week of May 15 – May 21

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

Playing with just one shoe, Andre Iguodala nailed a huge trey from the corner to bring the Warriors within a point with just six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

The post Andre Iguodala Loses Shoe, Hits Three-Pointer (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

The post Andre Iguodala Shakes LeBron James for Buzzer-Beating Dunk (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Dwight “I am still a champion” Howard will sit out the first game of the 2015-16 season due to a suspension, the NBA announced Friday morning.

Howard’s foul—a left forearm shiver that landed on Andre Iguodala’s throat in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals—was upgraded to a Flagrant 1.

HOU's D. Howard has common foul upgraded to Flagrant 1 (WCF Game 5, 3:35/qtr 4), suspended one game to open 2015-16 regular season.

— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) May 29, 2015

It’s the big fella’s fourth Flagrant Foul point of the Playoffs, hence the one-game suspension.

From the press release:

The incident, which was upgraded from a common foul to a Flagrant Foul 1 upon league office review, occurred when Howard made unnecessary contact with his forearm to the neck area of Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala with 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Warriors’ 104-90 win over the Rockets on May 27 at Oracle Arena.

 

Howard will serve his suspension in the first game of the 2015-16 NBA regular season for which he is eligible and physically able to play.

 

In addition, Howard and the Warriors’ Andrew Bogut each had their technical fouls, assessed with 3:19 remaining in the second quarter of the same game, rescinded upon league office review.

The post Dwight Howard Suspended for Forearm Shiver to Andre Iguodala’s Throat (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Photos via Getty Images

Previously:
Week of May 8 – May 14
Week of May 1 – May 7

The post NBA Photos Of The Week appeared first on SLAM.

The post Andre Iguodala Throws Down Huge Fastbreak Dunk (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.