Iguodala Becomes First NBA Finals MVP After Never Starting A Regular Season Game
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - In an upset of sorts Golden State's Andre Iguodala has been voted NBA Finals MVP.
Iguodala didn't start a game all season until Steve Kerr inserted him into the lineup in Game 4 after the Warriors trailed 2-1. That "small ball" move sparked a three game run that gave the Warriors their first title in 40 years.
Iguodala defended LeBron James most often and delivered plenty of offense of his own, scoring 25 points in the clincher. Head Coach Steve Kerr said Iguodala's sacrifice over the season embodied the team.
"The sacrifice every guy made from Andre and David (Lee) stepping away from the starting lineup, we just played," Kerr said. "And they were all in it just to win. That's all that mattered. This is an amazing group of guys."
Cavaliers fans booed, believing James should have won even in a losing effort.
Iguodala was spectacular at times on offense, stuffing a number of powerful dunks and hurting the Cavs from distance when they shifted their focus to Stephen Curry, but it was his ability to limit James that clinched the award for him.
"The sacrifice every guy made from Andre and David (Lee) stepping away from the starting lineup, we just played," Kerr said. "And they were all in it just to win. That's all that mattered. This is an amazing group of guys."
No player has ever won the award after spending the whole season coming off of the bench. The award came just hours after cbsSF.com predicted James would win the award even in defeat.
For his part, Iguodala said he was just a hard working player who "Wants to be like Steph Curry" when he grows up.