The Warriors’ Wizard of Oz was up to his old tricks Monday night at Chase Center.
Thirty-seven-year-old Andre Iguodala is an easy target for old-man jokes as the second-oldest player in the NBA behind Udonis Haslem. Iguodala missed 11 games earlier this season due to a balky knee but flashed a veteran-savvy skillset in Monday’s 113-98 win over the Sacramento Kings.
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Iguodala finished with a pedestrian stat line of 10 points, six assists, one rebound and one steal in 24 minutes of action. But he garnered the praise of his teammates and coach Steve Kerr after the game for his impact on the victory.
“I thought Andre was just brilliant tonight,” Kerr said. “Vintage Andre. Knocking down a couple threes and his defense is still world-class.”
Iguodala’s passing acumen was on display Monday night, too. Check out the following three Iguodala assists, each impressive in their own way.
The first is the result of some beautiful basketball and player movement, as Steph Curry patiently curls around screens and relies on some sixth-sense telepathy with Iguodala before scoring. Check out the fist pump for Andre once Curry drains the reverse.
Iguodala often seems like he’s one step ahead of the competition. Exhibit A: This sweet behind-the-back pass in the lane to feed Otto Porter Jr. Again, Andre had a fun reaction with a Jordan Shrug.
This third pass is a little more sneaky, but I liken it to a quarterback sneaking a football into a tight pass coverage. Check out this vision and anticipation from Andre.
The OG is still crafty with the ball in his hands going to the bucket, too.
Gary Payton II said he’s never played with someone like Iguodala before.
“Absolutely not,” Payton said. “I guess his vision gets better with age. He sees things that a lot of people don’t see.”
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Iguodala will likely have to deal with his balky knee for the rest of the year, but he’s proving he can still be a two-way threat off the bench. He has scored in double digits each of his past two contests, as the Warriors are finding ways to make up for Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins going through the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The Warriors have said all season long that Iguodala isn’t here for a farewell tour and he continues to prove it as long as he’s on the floor. Beyond that, he's also a major glue guy for the locker room and key to the championship ethos that surrounds the franchise once again. Quite the veteran minimum signing by the Warriors this past offseason.
