Andre Iguodala Is the MVP of the NBA Finals

Former 76ers star leads Golden State to NBA championship.

Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) talks to the media after winning the NBA Finals MVP after game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena.  | Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) talks to the media after winning the NBA Finals MVP after game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. | Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Remember Andre Iguodala was shipped out of Philadelphia in 2012 because he couldn’t lead the 76ers to a championship?

Well he has his championship now — as a member of the Golden State Warriors — and a little something extra to go with it: The NBA Finals MVP trophy. That’s right: In a series featuring “best player in the world” LeBron James and reigning NBA regular season MVP Stephen Curry, it was Iguodala received the highest honor.

What they’re saying:

ESPN:

Prior to this season, Iguodala had started 758 consecutive games. This year, he remained in a reserve role until Game 4 of the Finals, when he was substituted into the starting lineup for center Andrew Bogut.

The Warriors then won each of the final three games of the series, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 to take the title.

Iguodala finished the series with averages of 16.3 points, four assists and 5.8 rebounds. In Game 6, he scored 25 points and added five rebounds and five assists.

The Washington Post says some believe James should’ve won the MVP vote, even in a losing cause.

Iguodala is being given credit for his defense on James, and the trump card for many, of course, was the fact that his team actually won the title. However, there is precedent — Jerry West in 1969 — for a player on the losing team being named Finals MVP.

The selection of the Warriors’ swingman caused plenty of disagreement (surprise, surprise) on Twitter. Some thought it was the right choice, while some felt that James had done more than enough to get the award. And some wondered, Hey, no love for Steph Curry?

CBS Sports:

It’s a stunning moment for Iguodala, who came to Golden State in 2013 seeking to play with this specific collection of players. He accepted his bench role despite having been an All-Star and a starter throughout his career. When called upon, Iguodala changed the course of the series with his defense and with his impact when moved into the starting lineup in Game 4.

Iguodala has always prided himself as a defender first, and a player that could do whatever his team needed to win. He certainly did that in the Finals and now he becomes the rare player to hold an Olympic gold medal, an NBA championship ring and the NBA Finals MVP trophy.

And final commentary from Iguodala’s son.

The Sixers, meanwhile, debut new uniforms on Thursday.