SAN FRANCISCO – The value of NBA veterans can be measured in many ways. production on the court. Professional role model in the locker room and practice. Tips for making timely passes, clever fouls, and the right restaurants. Make post-career plans.
Like Andre Iguodala, the Warriors have someone across the spectrum. Ultimate hybrid.
Iguodala, who signed a deal with the Warriors on Friday, plans to: back to his 19th And in the final season, to contribute as a player. and as an assistant coach. and as a mentor. and as a constructive counselor. And as a sergeant.
“He makes my job so much easier,” coach Steve Kerr said on Monday, shortly after Iguodala put pen to paper.
That’s what quality veterans are programmed to do.whatever you need keep humming the machine.
“We have so many young players,” Kerr said. “They need coaching, mentoring, and Andre is the best at that. And he loves working with young people.
“As a player, he knows exactly where he needs to be, so he makes it all work. I teach the same thing to
The Warriors have six players in their under-22 club. 22 year old Jordan Poole. James Wiseman, 21 years old. Moses Moody, 20 years old. Ryan Rollins, 20 years old. Jonathan Kuminga, 19 years old. Patrick Baldwin Jr., 19 years old.
No matter how capable Carr and his official assistants are, respected veterans tend to have big ears. The youngsters want to please them, and they want to prove that they too can pave the way in the league.
kuminga is young Most relevant to the teacher/student match with Iguodala. As a good athlete and a deep desire for stardom, JK has tremendous advantages. He grew up idolizing Kobe Bryant, but needs occasional reminders of the hard work behind Kobe’s legend.
Andre appears.
“Obviously, we have high hopes for Kuminga,” he said.
While Kuminga is quick to point out that Iguodala’s influence might help set his direction, he also recognizes that all of his younger teammates have similar apprenticeship opportunities.
“I’m not going to tell only me,” said Kuminga. “Everybody here, when it comes to teams and coaching, he helps out sometimes. Whether he’s one of the players or he’s not the coach, sometimes he goes out and helps as a coach.”
Having spent his rookie season absorbing the wisdom of Iguodala, Count Moody is ready for even more this season.
“I get a lot out of Andre,” Moody said. “He’s a huge personality on the floor, off the floor, in the locker room, on the plane, on the bus. When Andre is in the room, he knows.
Iguodala, 38, wants young people to understand that an impressive season early in his career may not mean much next season.
Iguodala was the man that stayed with former Warriors big man Damian Jones, and believed he could have a long NBA career, no matter how hard the road was. Jones signed a two-year, $4.9 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in July.
Kevon Looney admits that one of the guiding principles behind changing his eating habits was wondering if Iguodala would agree.
Young Warriors aren’t the only ones who know what’s coming from Iguodala. When Draymond Green drew his sixth foul in Game 2 of his conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas last May, Iguodala stared in bewilderment as he made his way to the bench. rice field.
One of the reasons for the Warriors’ success is their accountability rule. No one is above criticism as long as it is for the betterment of the team.
But you have to be a contributor too. Iguodala has a fine line to go this season and will certainly miss a good portion of the game, but will be expected to perform when he can.
That’s one reason why Stephen Curry, like Draymond, was one of the group of players who convinced Iguodala to play one more year.
I hear a lot of people talk about him being a mentor first. That’s the story,” Curry said. “But 10 minutes, 20 minutes, more big games creeping in and unless he thinks he can play and contribute, he’s not coming back. He’s the coach first and the player second. I’m not here for it, I’m excited to see what he can prove up front.
“But obviously mentorship is a big part of that. The presence he brings to the locker room, the court, the front office, management. ”
Related: What to expect from Iguodala in the 2022-23 season
This is not Miami’s Udonis Haslem program, where he is a valuable member of the team despite appearing in a total of 28 games over the past four seasons.
This is the Andre Iguodala Program, unique to individuals and teams who understand and welcome it.
