Andre Iguodala Showing Value vs. Rockets
The Golden State Warriors hold a 2-1 lead over the Houston Rockets in the second round of the playoffs, defending home court for the first time this postseason before dropping Game 3 in an overtime loss in Texas.
Nearly a year ago, the Warriors left the Toyota Center as the victors of Game 7, a satisfying conclusion to a hard-fought series between the two heavyweights.
Golden State lost control of the series after Andre Iguodala was sidelined with injury, struggling to find a way to replace his production and leadership.
Iguodala’s presence was greatly missed in that series—even as the Warriors went on to win it—and, through three games thus far, he’s showing exactly what he brings to the postseason against the Rockets.
He’s averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3 assists on 72 percent shooting from the field and 54.5 percent from three since entering the starting lineup in Game 1.
By comparison, Chris Paul—who missed the last two games of the Western Conference Finals after a hamstring injury—is boasting similar numbers with 16.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 6 rebounds on lower percentages (48.4 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from three).
Throughout the Warriors’ entire run, Iguodala has served as a stabilizer and a source of energy for the team, needed most in the postseason.
The 2015 Finals MVP can run the offense as a high-level facilitator and playmaker. He’s also done a wonderful job of cutting at the right time and finishing off a lot of lob plays created by teams doubling Stephen Curry in a high pick-and-roll and assisted by Draymond Green.
Playing on a team with stars who can be careless with the ball in pursuit of the home run play, Iguodala doesn’t often waste possessions, showing patience in waiting for the right play to present itself to him.
Though his offensive game has come together nicely in the first three games, he earns his living on the other side of the ball. Iguodala possesses a dangerous combination of physical gifts and an incredibly high IQ, making him an elite defender even at 35-years-old.
Per Clutch Points’ Shane Young, through the first two games, James Harden shot a mere 27.8 percent when Iguodala spent the most seconds on the reigning MVP in a possession on, by far, the most attempts and possessions (18 and 72, respectively) compared to any other defender.
Harden is one of NBA history’s most prolific scorers and his team will only go as far as his shot-making will take them. Guarding him takes an entire team full of competent defenders and Iguodala is doing a remarkable job of minimizing the star’s production and keeping him from getting comfortable.
Iguodala has played a huge role in limiting Harden and Chris Paul from getting into a rhythm—though the Rockets were able to play more freely in their Game 3 win—and he has been at the forefront of the type of dominant defensive performances that the 2019 version of this team has struggled to execute for most of the year.
His value, questioned in light of the elite talent around him, is undeniable. His cumulative plus-minus of +28 is the best of any player in the series.
Iguodala slows them down when they’re out of control and he speeds them up when they begin to allow Houston to dictate the pace. He can guard any position on the floor with uncanny timing on strip plays, strong positioning, and an encyclopedic knowledge of every offensive player’s strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies.
With the way that Harden and Paul can frustrate opponents and energize devastating runs, Iguodala is tasked with ensuring Golden State can withstand any type of momentum shift and regaining it one stop at a time.
While his numbers are certainly impressive, especially given the way he chooses to pace himself in the regular season, his value as an emotional leader, floor general, and defensive juggernaut goes beyond the box score in a way that makes him an integral piece in the success of the team, even with four All-NBA-level players in the starting lineup.
This series is far from over. The Rockets’ offense woke up in Game 3 and could tie the series if the Warriors don’t rebound better and get more out of Curry.
Still, after another year of relatively lax effort and output during the regular season, Iguodala is reminding everyone that he still has another level he can reach, one that is a huge asset in a series against a team as legitimately threatening as the Rockets.