AP/San Francisco — At Chase Center on Sunday, the Golden State Warriors retired Andre Iguodala's No. 9 jersey, forever preserving his influence on the club. Iguodala received the distinction following an incredible career in which his leadership and selflessness were crucial to the Warriors winning four titles in eight seasons.
Iguodala, who won Finals MVP and played a key role in the Warriors' 2015 NBA Finals victory, was a member of a dynasty that changed the NBA. When he joined the Warriors in 2013, the core group of Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry was starting to take shape. Nobody could have foreseen the dynasty that would emerge at that time.
During the event, Iguodala acknowledged the path he has taken with the team and remarked, "I've been blessed, it's been a wild journey, but a beautiful blessing."
Along with other franchise icons like Chris Mullin, Nate Thurmond, Wilt Chamberlain, and Rick Barry, the Warriors hung Iguodala's No. 9 jersey in his honor. He was given this award, making him the seventh player in Warriors history to do so.
Iguodala had a well-established career and a solid reputation as a defensive player before joining Golden State. But with the Warriors, he adopted a critical role, supplying seasoned leadership and trusting the process of playing with a young, talented nucleus.
Curry remarked during the event, "You sacrificed ego for excellence," highlighting how Iguodala's 2014 benching move was essential to the team's success. Curry gave Iguodala credit for his flexibility in order to fit in with the team's dynamic and win championships.
For a player in his prime, coming off the bench was an unconventional move, but it paid off. Iguodala was put in the starting lineup by coach Steve Kerr to guard LeBron James during the 2015 NBA Finals, and it changed the course of the game. Iguodala became the first player in history to win Finals MVP without starting every game, and his performance helped the Warriors capture their first title in forty years.
After considering Iguodala's sacrifices and his crucial contribution to the team's win, Kerr remarked, "That was the ultimate validation of everything I've always believed in the game."
During his 1,231-game career, Iguodala played for the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Warriors twice. His reputation as one of the most important players in Warriors history was solidified by his four titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Iguodala remarked, "Once we won the first one, it was almost like we had to do it again to prove it wasn't a fluke," in reference to the team's mindset following their first championship.
The Warriors' dynasty was established by sacrifice and hard work, and Iguodala's retirement ceremony served as a reminder that his legacy will always be associated with their achievements.