Andre Iguodala Belongs on the Warriors’ Coaching Staff

The four-time NBA champion and former Warrior is one of the most respected players in the NBA. He knows the strengths and weaknesses of Curry and Draymond Green better than anyone. After all, Andre Iguodala played with Golden State for eight seasons across two different stints.

Stackhouse’s previous role as the Warriors’ primary defensive coach is certainly a tough spot to fill. The Warriors’ claim to fame at their apex of the Curry era may be the prolific shooting, but defense has also usually been a strong foundation.

The Warriors’ ability to maintain good-to-quality defense throughout their championship years, despite rotating supporting casts, is a testament to the defense implemented by the coaching staff.

Few people have come through the organization who possess more knowledge and experience on that side of the court than Iguodala. During his time with Golden State, he was one of the team’s best defenders for years. 

Above all else, Green, Curry, and Kerr all trusted him.

“Since you (Iguodala) left that locker room, it has been hard to fill that void,” Curry said during Iguodala’s jersey retirement ceremony.

Steve Kerr has emphasized the urgency for the Warriors to “tighten the ship” next season. With trying to develop young talent and maximize Curry’s prime, Iguodala is the perfect player to bridge the gap. 

Iguodala Relates to the Players

Andre Iguodala has held many roles over his career: an NBA starter, a sixth man, and an end-of-bench leader towards the end of his career.

He understands Green, Curry, and Kerr’s basketball minds, but he can also relate to the younger generation of players.

When he was teammates with Jordan Poole, Iguodala felt inclined to take him under his wing. Sometimes, it meant pointing out X’s and O’s; other times, it meant imagining himself in Poole’s position. 

“He’s an emotional player, and I was an emotional player,” he previously said of the similarities between him and Poole during an episode of The Draymond Green Show. “So sometimes I gotta place myself in his shoes…I have to look at myself at 22; I was reacting the same way. I was like, ‘Okay, put yourself in his shoes.’ I try and do that more so than any other time.”

The 42-year-old’s ability to relate to the younger generation and be empathetic towards them makes him an important asset for the Warriors. His leadership is particularly important if the team wants to focus more on developing its next crop of talent.

Green and Curry call him a brother. Curry credits him with helping define winning basketball in the organization during his time there.

“You sacrificed ego for excellence, which for us is the Warriors’ way,” Curry said during Iguodala’s jersey retirement.

Iguodala even has a prior relationship with Jimmy Butler, another one of Golden State’s stars. Both were teammates for two seasons with the Miami Heat.

Potential Impact for the Golden State Warriors

The Warriors’ coaching staff has undergone lots of turnover.

Kenny Atkinson, Mike Brown, and most recently, Chris DeMarco have all left the Warriors’ bench in the last few years. Dejan Milojevic, a former beloved assistant for Golden State, died from a heart attack two years ago. The Warriors have cycled through several names on the assistant coach carousel since their 2022 championship.

What Andre Iguodala brings to the squad is the right balance of tough love and stern coaching, paired with being a brotherly, approachable person.

From coaching Andrew Wiggins on the sidelines in the NBA Finals to playing mental chess with LeBron James for four postseasons, Iguodala has seen and done it all.

Kerr has previously said Iguodala was acting like an assistant coach at times with the Warriors. Now, it’s time to make that a reality.