If he returns, Golden State Warriors star Andre Iguodala will be enjoying his 20th season in the league, and his career is winding down. I know it's strange to discuss Hall of Fame credentials with a guy averaging 11 points and five rebounds in his career, but hear me out! This argument is the Robert Horry argument, but with actual accolades to buoy the championships. This argument is the Shane Battier argument, but with nearly double the statistics.
The great LA Lakers Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal routinely talks about how stars win games, but it takes the "others" to win championships. The greatest "other" is a guy we take for granted but has been around nearly as long as future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James. I am making the case that Andre Iguodala is the greatest role player of the 21st century. Here are the top three reasons Iggy should eventually hear his name called for the Basketball Hall of Fame.
1. The Tim Hardaway Line
Much like how the Mendoza Line is the barometer for mediocrity in baseball, many people like to call the low bar to get into the Hall of Fame the "Mitch Richmond" line. This is probably due to his minuscule role on his only championship team, the 2002 Lakers (also his last year in the league). However, Richmond had a great career. I'd like to introduce the new "Tim Hardaway" line concept. Hardaway had to wait twenty years after the end of his career to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. With no NBA title to his credit, Hardaway relied on media-voted awards to make his case.
Andre Iguodala has comparable career accomplishments and statistics. His media awards were few (two All-Defensive Teams and the All-Rookie team), but his team awards were plenty. Iguodala went to six straight finals from 2015-2020 and appeared again in 2023, resulting in four NBA titles. Very few people in NBA history can claim they went to six straight Finals! Additionally, Iggy has an Olympic gold medal (like Tim Hardaway) and a FIBA World Championship (Yes, Noah Lyles, you read that right) gold medal.
2. Surprising Intangibles
Every stop for Iguodala led to a memorable accomplishment. He was an ironman for the Philadelphia 76ers, playing the entire 82-game regular season five times in eight years. Iguodala made the All-Star team once (2012), but he made his mark on some of the other All-Star weekend events. He participated in the Rising Stars game (winning MVP) and the Dunk Contest (runner-up) in 2006, leaving us with this gem.
In his All-Star season, he made history as his eighth-seeded 76ers beat the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in a surprise upset.
In Iguodala's only year in Denver, the Nuggets achieved the best regular season record in franchise history with 57 wins.
Andre Iguodala was the primary role-player in Golden State during the (still rolling) Warrior dynasty. His timely shooting and defense tie closely to LeBron's legacy. Iguodala beat LeBron in three out of four NBA Finals.
3. Andre Iguodala won the Finals MVP
I can't think of any role players who have walked off with Finals MVP awards, especially over the likes of players like LeBron and Steph Curry. Iguodala has one for his memorable play in the 2015 NBA Finals. The Hall of Fame historically puts tremendous weight towards NBA Finals MVP accolades. Chauncey Billups and Cedric Maxwell are the only NBA Finals MVPs not in the Hall of Fame. Rumor has it that Billups (one NBA Championship) is knocking on the door of the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame should wait to open that door until they let Iggy in first. The comparisons speak for itself. If these guys get consideration, then so should Iguodala.
Andre Iguodala's longevity, leadership and ability to affect winning make him a Basketball Hall of Famer.
Be sure to check out my Basketball Hall of Fame Spotlight on Dwyane Wade and my Basketball Hall of Fame Spotlight on Dirk Nowitzki.
Photo Credit for featured cover image: Getty Images.
Follow me on Twitter (now called X) for NBA news and articles. Please also follow Belly Up Sports for the latest sports content.
No comments:
Post a Comment