Andre Iguodala Honored with Jersey Retirement by Golden State Warriors
On Sunday, at the Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors paid tribute to Andre Iguodala, following their emphatic 126-102 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The team unveiled a banner that was raised to the rafters, emblazoned with Iguodala’s name and jersey number, 9, commemorating his illustrious career with the franchise.
The ceremony was strategically scheduled to coincide with the Warriors’ game against the Mavericks, enabling Iguodala’s former teammate, Klay Thompson, to attend. Thompson had departed for Dallas as a free agent in 2024, after spending 13 seasons with Golden State.
Iguodala’s Journey to Golden State
Iguodala joined the Warriors in July 2013, after reportedly declining a five-year contract offer from the Denver Nuggets. He was acquired via a sign-and-trade deal involving the Nuggets and the Utah Jazz.
Iguodala’s Impact on the Warriors Dynasty
In his first season with the Warriors, Iguodala was named to the 2013-14 All-NBA Defensive First Team. His defensive prowess was instrumental in the Warriors’ championship victory in 2015, where he was awarded the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his stellar defense against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. James’ shooting percentage plummeted to 38.1% when guarded by Iguodala, compared to 44% when Iguodala was off the court.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was graced by the presence of former Warriors general manager Bob Myers, current Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, and Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Pelinka had served as Iguodala’s agent throughout his career.
Iguodala retired in 2019 after playing for four different teams over his 19-season NBA career.
Iguodala’s Speech of Gratitude
Iguodala took to the stage to express his heartfelt gratitude to those who had supported him throughout his eight years with Golden State. His speech extended for nearly 15 minutes, acknowledging the profound impact that the Warriors organization had on his career.
"It’s been a wild journey but a beautiful blessing," Iguodala said. "Everybody that’s on the floor here has made a huge impact on me, but for me, this is bigger than just me."
Warriors Star Stephen Curry’s Sentiments
Warriors star Stephen Curry emphasized the significance of Iguodala’s decision to join Golden State, shortly after facing them in the playoffs.
"You were the first one to choose us, and that meant the world for a team that was trying to figure it out," Curry said.
Coach Steve Kerr’s Perspective
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr shared an anecdote during the ceremony, highlighting how Iguodala complemented the team’s star players, including Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green.
Conclusion
The jersey retirement ceremony was a fitting tribute to Andre Iguodala’s invaluable contributions to the Golden State Warriors. His defensive prowess, leadership, and unwavering commitment played a pivotal role in the team’s dominance during its dynasty years. Iguodala’s legacy will forever be etched in the annals of Warriors history.
