Bay Area Sports: Ranking the Top 30 Players

November 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) dunks the basketball during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pistons 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

#22 – Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors

How valuable is a player that doesn’t even start for his team? Just ask the Warriors about their forward, Andre Iguodala. Iguodala didn’t start a single game during the Warriors’ 2014-2015 championship run until the NBA Finals, but he was the leader of one of the deepest benches in the league during the year. Bay Area sports fan understand his value!

In his prime with the Philadelphia 76ers, Iguodala was one of the best two-way players in the game. He averaged over 18 points in three seasons, nearly scratching 20 per game in the 2007-2008 season, and was a premier defensive player. Since coming to the Warriors, Iguodala’s role has lessened, as there isn’t much of a need for him to score a lot, but his defensive prowess still makes him extremely valuable.

During the Finals last year, Iguodala won the Most Valuable Player award, becoming the first player to win the honor while not starting every game in the Finals. He averaged over 16 points, four assists, and nearly six rebounds, but his biggest contribution, of course, came on defense. He locked down Cleveland Cavaliers’ star LeBron James, holding him to 38 percent shooting, compared to 44 percent when anyone else guarded James. Iguodala truly earned his MVP award by holding down a former MVP.

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