This could be the most fitting time to retire Andre Iguodala’s jersey. When he walked into the fold ahead of 2013-14, he immediately took up the veteran mentor role with a huge sacrifice – to help the team no matter what. He did everything he could – shoot, pass, defense, rebound. Andre was actually a giant for the Warriors! Since his exit, though, the team has struggled to hold his fort. Guess what? Now, the Dubs have a new veteran in the building and the team looks unusually threatening. Amid this poetic moment, Stephen Curry revealed an untold story about the ex-warrior.

Iguodala was the missing piece when the team roped him from free agency (except that the team didn’t know it had the potential). So, the Dubs must have seen something in the star forward to lead them forward. While experience and mentorship could be the key aspects for the front office to roll the dice, Curry sensed something else.

The rest is history!

Speaking to the press after today’s game, Curry opened up on his first Andre Iguodala spark. “I remember the moment I beat him in the playoffs in 2013. We had had history of playing together, Team USA. That was the first time I kinda noticed I was aware that ‘Hey! Guys, see what we’re capable of and a guy like Andre, one of the smartest guys anyone can walk into,” said Curry, reminiscing his triumph.

Undoubtedly, it lifted the spirits of an up-and-coming team still finding their identity.

Curry added, “To be able to get him in the free agency unlocked so much confidence for us. We were on the right path.” Of course, they were on the right path, winning the championship in the second year of Iggy’s inclusion. Guess who won the Finals MVP? It was the Iguodala himself.

In the 2014-15 season, the time he won the MVP, Iggy averaged 10.4 points, 1.2 steals showcasing his lockdown defense, 4.5 rebounds, with an effective field-goal percentage of 58.4%. Those are not jaw-dropping numbers. But if you guys remember that series, he won it for stomping his authority on LeBron James. He restricted James and played solid defense to shut him down.

Thus, whoever pulled off that free agent signing, pat your back. Meanwhile, there’s an entirely new perspective on the other end. The Iggy’s perspective. Why did he choose to go to the Warriors? Let’s find out.

Why did Andre Iguodala choose to sign with the Warriors?

Speaking about the 4x Champ’s inclusion, Curry made a crucial statement saying, “He had a choice to make.” Being an 8-year veteran starter, 13 years ago, Andre Iguodala had the opportunity to choose any franchise to land. But he chose a fairly inexperienced team that hadn’t won a championship in 4 decades. The reason was Stephen Curry.

Like Curry addressed his link-up with Iggy at the Team USA dugout in 2010, the legend had a story too! Speaking of the initial meeting, he said, “We were kinda grooming him to the potential part of it. We knew he was good he could shoot it,” earlier today at the presser. However, the ex-Dubs star was too “locked in” to pay attention to anyone.

It wasn’t until Steph stunned him a few years later that Iguodala realized the superstar’s true potential. It was a dramatic event in itself. He witnessed Curry pull up a no-look three-pointer for the first time. Yes! Enough to sweep you off the feet.

Speaking of the moment, Iguodala said, “Jordan Hamilton, my guy… Time out, and I came to the bench and he’s still going crazy. He’s like, ‘Yo, did you see what happened?’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean like I was in the game’. Steph took the shot on the bench, and that was the first time he looked away. He looked at the bench and told him ‘Shut up’. The ball was still mid-air.” You might have guessed the bench’s reaction. That was it.

Moreover, Iggy also added how ‘joyful’ it would be to work alongside the Baby-faced Assassin. “He’s going to be the leader, the best player on the team we following him. When you see someone who is who he is like it makes it very easy to show up and go to work every single day… Steph was like alright cool I’m going to enjoy playing basketball being next to him.” Hmmm! It was an easy decision to make.

Above all, Iguodala had to sacrifice to get into the side. Steve Kerr asked the veteran to come off the bench who has been a starter all his life. Guess what? He accepted it gracefully and led the second unit.

Importantly, he became the first player, who played the entire playoff series off the bench, to win the Finals MVP. It’s truly an inspiring story!