Warriors Legend “Became a Different Person” for Stephen Curry & Klay Thompson, Claims Bob Myers in Touching Tale From 2015

The year was 2020. Andre Iguodala was about to face off against the Golden State Warriors—a team he spent six seasons with—exactly a year after he was traded away to clear salary cap space. But an unfamiliar scene took over preceding the game as a standing ovation followed a heart-touching video tribute.

“He made me, Steph [Curry], Draymond [Green] and [ Kevon] Looney’s job much easier, as well as Coach [Steve] Kerr and all the coaching staff. So we’re indebted to this man for what he gave us,” said Klay Thompson back then, talking about his former teammate. For those who’ve followed history, Iguodala’s contributions aren’t deep-rooted in numbers, but gestures and sacrifices he made for the team…

When Iggy was acquired by the Warriors in 2013, he was expected to take a veteran, big-name space pushing young stars like Stephen Curry and Thompson. Yet when the team failed to go beyond the 2014 playoff’s first round, losing to the Los Angeles Clippers (126-121), a worrying state surfaced. Promptly, the coach made changes, mainly affecting Iguodala’s starting status. When he was benched for Harrison Barnes in the starting lineup that year, he accepted it with grace, not ego.

“It’s just growing up, being smart about the situation…our whole focus with this team is to try to continue to improve,” the player had said at the time. So naturally, Iguodala finished the 2014-15 season with a career-low in stats. But his team? League-best 67 wins and a path to the 2015 NBA Finals, which they ultimately won—their first title in 40 years—after then-coach Steve Kerr called the sixth man back to the starting lineup after two straight losses in Game 2 and Game 3.

Bob Myers, having served as the Warriors’ General Manager from 2012 to 2023, was a firsthand witness to the developments at the time. In an interview with CNBC’s Scott Wapner two days ago, he discussed the “intangible” elements that contributed to the Warriors’ rise. He likened their 2015 success to climbing Mount Everest, explaining that every team needs a “guide” to reach the summit. The guide in this case? Do we still need to spell it?

“When we tried to ascend in 15, the thing I remember was Andre Iguodala, his leadership. You know, having been like an elder statesman for our team,” said Myers. “He (Andre) wasn’t our best player. He didn’t win Finals MVP. And if I had more time, I’d tell that story. But I remember Andre Iguodala. Obviously, Steph was great. All these guys were great. But I remember Iguodala’s leadership. Because people forget Curry, Klay, Draymond were very young then. And Andre was like the older brother and I remember telling him your leadership…. he became a different person. He said ‘I got this.’” Bob Myers continued.

Kerr has also been hugely appreciative of the “babysitter” role Iggy had once agreed to. Last year, hours after Andre announced his retirement, the head coach reminisced, “He was a foundational piece of what has been one of the great runs in NBA history. In many ways, Andre set the tone for the whole thing by agreeing to come off the bench in 2014-15 — really sacrificing and making the move that unlocked the team, that allowed Harrison [Barnes] to thrive, that strengthened our bench, but also set a time for unselfishness, and team-first mentality.”

Iguodala’s sacrifice paid off in the Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, compared to his regular season averages of 7.8 points. More importantly, he took on the task of guarding LeBron James, holding him to just 38.1% shooting when they were matched up. His defense and leadership were key factors in the Warriors’ championship victory.

Draymond Green praised Iguodala for his Finals performance, saying, “He was great the entire series. But he saved this season for us. I always say Andre’s a pro’s pro. He’s a professional guy, and it showed, and that’s why he’s the MVP of this series. And that’s why we’re champions.” While Iguodala’s regular-season stats were modest, his 98.0 defensive rating was third-best on the team, and his Player Impact Estimate (PIE) of 10.6 was behind only Curry and Green, showcasing his overall value.

Myers and Iguodala maintained mutual respect throughout their time with the Warriors. Myers especially valued Iguodala’s leadership and influence on the younger players, which gave him confidence in the veteran, even as Iguodala entered the twilight of his career.

Bob Myers kept roster spot open for Andre Iguodala during the 2022-23 season: “We really want him back!”

Iguodala left the Warriors in 2019 to join the Miami Heat. As the 2022-23 season approached, his future remained uncertain. Despite Iguodala’s age, Myers was reluctant to move on without him, believing the veteran still had a valuable role to play on the team.

“He (Andre) is one of the few people in the world that can look at Curry or Draymond or Klay in the eye and meet them at their level, but also grab a Jordan Poole or (James) Wiseman or (Jonathan) Kuminga and speak to them and encourage them. There’s no one else in the league that can do that for our team.” said Myers.

“We really want him back! This isn’t like a charity thing. It’s not, oh, you know, ‘We can’t not say yes to Andre because he’s won championships.’ We have pursued him more than he has pursued us. But we’ve also left him that grace to let him make a decision on his own. Because he’s earned that, too,” he further added.

Iguodala eventually decided to return for one final season before retiring in 2023. Though his name may not always be mentioned first when crediting the Warriors’ success, he can rest assured that his impact, both on and off the court, is well-remembered by his teammates and former GM.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.