Andre Iguodala is one of the best quotes on the Golden State Warriors because he’ll say basically whatever he wants. Iguodala has been key for a Dubs team that finds itself behind the eight ball in the NBA Finals for the first time in years.
Friday night’s Game 4 in Oakland may end up being the last ever played at Oracle Arena if the Toronto Raptors have their way, and a day before the game, Iguodala was asked about some big moments in the building’s history. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his choice of favorite Oracle Arena moment was from that first postseason run he had in Oakland … just not for the reason you might think.
“That’s a tough one. That’s a really good question,” Iguodala told the media. “First playoff series here was pretty exciting. It was pretty good. We hadn’t priced out many people yet, so it was good.”
It’s a very astute point from Iguodala, as the entire Bay Area has gotten more expensive in the five years since that series. And though the Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in that round, it definitely felt like a very different kind of crowd at Warriors games. The franchise has come a long way since being the underdogs that knocked off top seeded Dallas in 2007, but lost along the way has been a lot of the pure energy those underdog crowds brought.
In case you need a bit more Iguodala at his best, here’s what he told The Athletic about his chances at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
In Portland, before Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, Iguodala was asked about speculation that he would indeed make the Hall of Fame. “I don’t care,” he said. Really? Some players get emotional during those ceremonial speeches. “None of it matters,” he replied. “Does anyone remember any of those speeches other than Jordan’s?”
Then Iguodala broke it down. “See, here’s how it works. One day, you’re replaced. Then it’s some other motherf*cker in there. And then there’s another motherf*cker. And another after that. Nobody remembers anything. None of it matters!”
Whether he deserves the Hall of Fame nod or not, he’s certainly worthy of respect for his willingness to actually speak his mind.
