SAN FRANCISCO – When Andre Iguodala returned to the Warriors on a one-year deal ahead of the 2021-22 campaign, there was a belief that the season would be his last.
However, the Warriors had been hoping all summer long that Iguodala, 38, would return for one last run, especially after getting the sweet taste of another NBA Finals victory. No one knew for sure what he would do until Friday when the Golden State’s top statesman announced on the Point Forward podcast that he would be back.
The news brought a sense of relief and excitement to the team.
It’s really nice to have him around,” Jordan Paul said Sunday on Warriors Media Day. He is “very knowledgeable. He is willing to help us, teach us and give us all the information and knowledge that he has gained over the years. He has been very helpful to our team, and being able to get him back is really special.”
Iguodala, who missed the first two days of camp due to a previously scheduled participation, is one of the most trusted voices within the organization. Not only does he have permission from the front office and coaching staff, but he’s also close to players like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. He is not afraid to hold players accountable, regardless of their position on the team.
Carrie and Greene played a major role in persuading Iguodala to return. But Jonathan Cominga said he was begging his locker room neighbor to come back.
“I was trying to call him and text him,” said Kominga, who said Iguodala won’t walk his hand this summer about what he might do. “I was trying to get him to go, ‘We want you back.'” “
Iguodala’s response to Cominga’s pleas?
“He was like, ‘I have things to do,'” Kominga recalls.
Komenga is one of the young players who could benefit the most from Iguodala’s return. Iguodala has 18 seasons of NBA wisdom to impart to youngsters and can help them navigate their lives on and off the basketball court.
While Iguodala’s value to the Golden State extends well beyond the basketball court, Curry was quick to point out that Iguodala wouldn’t have come back one last time if he didn’t think he’d be able to play.
“He won’t come back if he thinks he can’t play and contribute, whether it’s 10 minutes or 20 minutes…a big game that creeps in, maybe more. Playing consistently maybe in the second half of the season,” Curry said. And the second player. Very excited about what he can demonstrate on this front, but mentoring is clearly a huge part of the attendance he brings in the locker room, the court, the front office, the administration. It is a voice box for all and the voice of reason for all.
“It was built on 19 years of being what it is.”
Iguodala missed most of the second half of the season as he suffered various injuries. He has been at Chase Center in recent weeks training and discussing his future with the coaching staff to determine if his body can handle the erosion of another 82 game roster.
Iguodala received the green light and felt confident moving forward. But after this season, it called for quitting.
“Now I tell you, Steve, this is the last one,” Iguodala said on his podcast.
“He’s flying his flag now, which I think, for him, is a healthy way to approach him this year, knowing he’s giving it his all,” Curry said.
from San Jose News Bulletin https://sjnewsbulletin.com/warriors-steve-curry-happy-to-welcome-back-andre-iguodala/
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