Golden State Warriors: All-Decade Team for the 2010’s

Sixth Man: Andre Iguodala

There were many defining changes that led to the Golden State Warriors turning into the dynasty that the rest of the NBA constantly feared.

One of the most underrated changes was when the Warriors acquired Andre Iguodala during the summer of 2013.

Iguodala was one year removed from his lone all-star season. When the Golden State Warriors acquired him, he started in 63 games. But a bold suggestion offering to have him come off the bench transformed his role on the team entirely.

And, in turn, it changed the trajectory of the team.

Iguodala became the perfect solidifying player off the bench. When the star power had to catch breathers and the Warriors needed to roll out various role players and rookies, Iguodala made them shine.

His efficiency began to climb once his role shifted. As he aged, his minutes played decreased along with his total games played. But this was by design.

Iguodala essentially pioneered load management before Kawhi Leonard made it cool.

He was afforded the luxury of limiting his regular-season playing time for the sake of being a little fresher in the playoffs. It worked.

Andre Iguodala’s addition to the team also allowed for the Warriors to run different variations of what would be known as the “Death Lineup.” It originally starred Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes, and Andre Iguodala.

Swapping Barnes for Kevin Durant made the lineup that much deadlier.

The concept of playing small had been toyed with around that time by other teams, but no other team did it as well as the Golden State Warriors.

With Iguodala on the floor, all five players could be tasked with facilitating. All five players could conceivably score. At least three players on the floor, at any given time, could switch onto whatever defender they saw fit.

Iguodala has been the unsung hero for locking down LeBron James and others in the playoffs. He’s the man that can be depended on to hit a three when the defense wants to leave him open in favor of guarding Curry or Thompson.

As Iguodala enters the final stretch of his career, we can only hope that he gets one more opportunity to suit up for the Golden State Warriors next decade.

Honorable Mention: Shaun Livingston