Golden State Warriors: Three Predictions For Andre Iguodala

Apr 20, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Andre Iguodala (9) reacts during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Ever since the Golden State Warriors acquired prized free agency small forward Andre Iguodala, proclamations about a golden era for Golden State have been running ramped. Iguodala brings veteran experience to a young team, tremendous defensive capability, and a versatile scoring option.

His presence should lessen the pressure for every starter from last year’s playoff team, while elevating their game at the same time. Cole Kundich’s article explores various reasons as to how signing Iguodala fits so well into the Warriors plans and Scott Burns analyses how each key Warrior from last year benefits from the move.

Iguodala has yet to show his true ability in the Warriors practice or fully mesh with the team, according to a recent press conference, he claims “[I’ve] been passing up a lot for myself just to figure out those guys and then I’ll kind of assert myself into the offense once training camp gets started.” As the Warriors approach the regular season, Andre will integrate himself into the team.

With all this in mind, I present to you three predictions about his game over this coming season:

Improved accuracy from the three point line:
Last year Iguodala shot 31.7% from behind the arc, falling a bit below his career average of 32.9%. This year as a Warrior Iguodala will elevate his accuracy above both percentages listed. Playing alongside Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Iguodala will not feel pressure to shoot from three; his role should be as a cutter and facilitator. When Iguodala does take the three, it will be in rhythm and wide open.

Improved free throw percentage:
Since the 2009-10 season, Iguodala’s free throw percentage dropped from 73.3% down to 69.3%, to 61.7%, and finally last year at 57.4%. While the trajectory may indicate otherwise, Andre will vastly improve his free throw percentage — by over 10% from last year. The Warriors’ Carl Landry, Jarrett Jack, and Thompson all shot over 80% from the line last year and Curry hit exactly 90% of the time. When he was healthy, Bogut’s difficulty at the line (50%) led him to miss playing time at the end of games. Iguodala will want to play down the stretch, and he’ll have to improve his free throw shooting to do that.

Top three Warrior in steals, assists, and rebounds:
This, above anything else, is what Iguodala brings to the team. He activity on and off of the ball on defense led to 1.74 steals per game last year, higher than any Warrior. His knowledge of the game and impressive passing ability allowed him to become the best non-guard assist man in the game last year, and at 5.4 assists he followed only Curry and Jack in that category.

Of the three stats listed, rebounds will mostly go to David “The-Double-Double-Machine” Lee and a healthy Bogut, but there are still plenty of rebounds to be won, and Iguodala will win them.