The Golden State Warriors honored Andre Iguodala by retiring his iconic No. 9 jersey during a memorable ceremony at the Chase Center. The event took place amidst a backdrop of triumph as the Warriors, with forward Jimmy Butler, secured a victory over the Dallas Mavericks, improving their record to 5-1 with Butler in the lineup. Iguodala, a pivotal figure in the Warriors' rise to championship glory, was celebrated with representatives of six other Warriors legends whose jerseys have also been retired.
Iguodala's contributions to the Warriors' success are immeasurable. He played a crucial role in securing four NBA titles for the team in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. His standout performance in the 2015 Finals earned him the Finals MVP award, with an average of 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists throughout the series.
"None of this would have happened without all of you, the fans." – Andre Iguodala
The ceremony saw Iguodala become only the seventh player in Warriors history to have his jersey retired. Current players, former teammates, and representatives from the Warriors organization, including former General Manager Bob Myers, attended the event. Iguodala expressed gratitude towards the behind-the-scenes staff members, fans, and teammates who supported him throughout his illustrious career.
"We haven't really had time to reflect, Steph, you made the world turn. That is not something you say lightly. You truly changed the game of basketball. It was beautiful." – Andre Iguodala
Iguodala joined the Warriors in 2013 and quickly became one of the most significant acquisitions in franchise history. Known for his selflessness, he often came off the bench to allow younger players to shine while making a substantial impact on the court.
"I understood my role. I understood the genius of Draymond [Green], the genius of Klay, the genius of Kevin Durant." – Andre Iguodala
The Warriors' victory over the Mavericks marked their first three-game winning streak since mid-November, with four of their recent wins achieved in dominant fashion. With 25 games remaining in the season, the team aims for a sixth-place finish.
"Steph, none of this happens without you." – Andre Iguodala
Iguodala's retirement speech was filled with warmth and reflection. He acknowledged Stephen Curry's influence on the team's success and his own role in mentoring younger players.
"I had the opportunity to kind of help those guys as they were younger coming into their own," – Andre Iguodala
Stephen Curry also spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing Iguodala's importance to the team.
"This isn't just about a number going into the rafters," – Stephen Curry
Curry praised Iguodala for choosing to join the Warriors and for unlocking confidence and maturity within the team.
"You were the first one to choose us, and that meant the world. For a team that knew we were good but didn't know how to get to that next level, you unlocked so much confidence, so much IQ, so much maturity to what we did." – Stephen Curry
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