Andre Iguodala announced his retirement yesterday. Now the question becomes does he belong in The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?
If you ask him he isn’t. Iguodala said in September of 2023 that “I’m not a Hall of Famer if you ask me, I’m like, man no no no those guys are; they had no flaws. I think I was good, but like Kobe, like LeBron, come on, man. I can’t do that, and a lot of us can’t do that. So they have to be on their own like a different world.”
Which it is easy to understand his logic. Overall Iguodala averaged 11.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 46.3 percent from the field, 33 percent from three, and 70.9 percent from the free throw line. From 2005-2006 to 2012-2013 he did average 15.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 steals and shot 45.7 perecent from the field, 32.9 percent from three, and 72.2 percent from the free throw line.
His career-high of 34 points isn’t eye-popping either, yet had highs of 17 rebounds, 16 assists, six steals, and four blocks. Iguodala also recorded nine triple-doubles in his career. Arguably his best season overall was in 2006-2007 when he averaged 18.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2 steals.
Iguodala was part of four championship teams, won the Finals MVP in 2015, was a First Team All-Rookie selection in 2004-2005, a First Team All-Defense selection in 2013-2014, and a Second Team All-Defensive selection in 2010-2011. In 2012, he played in his only All-Star game and in 2006 won the Slam Dunk Contest. He also has a Gold Medal from FIBA in 2010 and an Olympic Gold Medal from 2012.
What is noteworthy is that after starting in his first season with the Golden State Warriors, he accepted a role off the bench which allowed the much younger Harrison Barnes to start.
For those who do not believe Iguodala is a hall of fame player will indicate the lack of All-Star game appearances as one of the reasons why or that in the Finals in which he won his MVP, LeBron James averaged 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Still when Iguodala was the primary defender on James, he shot 18 of 54 from the field. He also made big shots and in the series averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.3 steals, and shot 52,1 percent from the fieled and 40 percent from beyond the arc, yet only shot 35.7 percent from the free throw line.
Another example was of the difference between uncontested and contested shots. When James got an open look the average distance was 18 feet and he was seven of eight in those situations, when Iguodala contested the shots he was 11 of 46 with an average distance of 11 feet. Which meant a lot of one-on-one situations and energy expanded to get a shot off.
Quite possibly the most impressive feat for Iguodala was that in game two of that series he held James scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Beyond that there are players who have been inducted recently that there is no question that Iguodala is better than. Such as Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, Toni Kukoc, Vlade Divac, and Yao Ming to name a few.
Analytics will also here too. Iguodala’s Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) is significantly better than Kevin McHale, Ben Wallace, Dikembe Mutombo, and James Worthy. His defensive win shares are better than Gary Payton, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade, and Maurice Cheeks. Win Shares are better than Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Sam Jones, and Dennis Rodman.
Overall Iguodala ranks 22nd all-time in steals and is, 42nd all-time in minutes played, and 70th all-time in assists. So when it comes down to it, Iguodala has a Gold Medals in international play and four championships, he definitely belongs in the hall of fame.
Here’s a look at some top plays of Iguodala’s stellar career.