Adre Iguodala: NBA Finals MVP
photo source wilsonmaguwah.com
Andre was a ninth overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers back on the 2004 draft class where some defensive minded players of same position as he is also came from. Josh Childress (out of the NBA), Luol Deng (Miami Heat), Josh Smith (Los Angeles Clippers), Tony Allen (Memphis Grizlies), and Trevor Ariza (Houston Rockets) all came from the same draft class as he is, but only he and two other players plays both side of the court and also in and out of the paint; those players are of course Luol Deng and also Trevor Ariza. How ironic to say that the highest draftee of tem six is the only one who is out of the league. They all have success in their respective teams, but only Iggy and Trevor Ariza won it all in the NBA. Ariza got his ring while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2009, but never came close on being the MVP because Kobe was the one doing it all for the team.
Growing up Andre was a pretty nerdy athlete, winning games and academic awards. Iggy grew up in Illinois where he was born; he was a fan of MJ as most of the children growing up in Illinois watching the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan's era. He went for his high school at Lanphier High School where other athletes are produced, notably Kevin Gamble. He led his school to a runner up finish in the Illinois High School Association Class AA state tournament back in the 2002 season. During his teams run he won the Chicago Sun Times player of the year averaging 24 points grabbing eight rebounds with four dimes a game. He also had a heroic game winning shot that him to be awarded the AAU National Tournament Most Valuable Player.
In Iguodala's college days he gathered lots of awards in his two brief but solid years in Arizona. He has been awarded Pac-Ten All Freshmen Team, All-Pack-Ten First Team, and became the only player to have three triple doubles besides Jason Kidd as a member of the Pack-Ten. After those success Iguodala decided that he is ready to go pro.
During his rookie year he only averages nine points per game in 32 minutes, but it is not his points that they are counting, it’s his great defense that make him very productive playing. His averaging almost two steals per game while grabbing more than five rebounds for the Philadelphia 76ers having the name "The Other AI" with him because of being team mates with Allen Iverson who is the first in the team to have the AI nickname. He spent good eight years playing for the Sixers but he never did have the chance to compete at a higher level because of lacking the talents after Iverson request for a trade. He then got traded to the Denver Nuggets where he played for a short period of time before being traded again to the Golden States Warriors where he has been coach by a former NBA player Marc Jackson, who named him Iggy.
Coach Jackson utilizes the game of Iggy to its highest. Even though he is only playing for a limited time, he is well used and always inserted on a perfect timing where he slows the game down and calm his teammates while energizing them to play defense. But the team seems to be missing something; they never did pass the first round of the playoffs for the pass years.
So the organizations have to make a decision and cut Coach Jackson out to be replaced by a rookie head coach Steve Kerr. Steve Kerr decided to seat Iggy to the bench and let Harrison Barnes take his spot. Iggy never starts a game in his entire NBA career off the bench, but he never did complain with it, instead he said that he is fine playing any role for his team The team had their success seating Iguodala and letting Barnes start the game. They entered the playoffs having the best record in the NBA with the record 67 - 15.
The Warriors did advance through the playoff and into the finals playing against the best player in the league today Lebron James with his teams the Cleveland Cavaliers. Andre has been inserted again back to the starting five on game 4, due to the defense that he shows against defending the league’s best player. LeBron James only averages 38 percent in field goals when Iggy is on the court compared to 44 percent when he is out. Due to his hard work defending James he has been awarded the Finals Most Valuable Player. He is the first Finals MVP who did not start all of the finals game. He finished the series averaging 19 points per game while grabbing six rebounds and passing four assist per game.
Iggy is said to be in Japan with his trophies for a tour in Tokyo. Promoting a game called NBA clutch.
Iggy's 2015 highlights courtesy of https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIgm2X3RWGeei2UrFjNjuxw
