Cats in the Pros: Why Andre Iguodala is an elite defender in the NBA

Former Arizona Wildcat and current member of the defending NBA Champions, Andre Iguodala, has become of the elite defenders in the league.

Defense. That’s the part of the game that former Arizona Wildcat Andre Iguodala has separated himself from the rest, especially during the NBA Playoffers. In his 15th season in the NBA and at 35 years old, he has not showed any signs of slowing down, especially on the defensive end. Over the years he has been known to slam it down with authority, but come NBA Playoff time, he has become the strip master on defense!

Steve Kerr’s Golden State Warriors, who are currently looking to repeat as NBA World Championship and their fourth title in five years, has a team that stacked full some of the best players on this planet. He also has Iguodala, the x-factor this post season. In the absence of superstar Kevin Durant, Iggy and other role players have come up huge on both ends of the floor.

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Iguodala’s latest defense stop came in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers. With the Trailblazers down three and time running out, Lillard was looking for his shot, but never even got it off. Iggy was there to strip and block the shot, securing the victory for the Warriors. Clutch!

One of the reasons Iguodala is an elite defender is because of his 6 foot 11 wingspan. Combine that with his level of atheleticsm and ability to move his feet, makes him one of he best in the NBA. He also is usually assigned the task of guarding the other’s team best player. Whether it has been Lebron James, Durrant, James Harden or even Lillard, Iguodala has not been intimated.

During the Warriors last three NBA title runs, he has come up with some huge stops, all of them in similar fashion. We are taught on defense to get your hands up, but Iguodala puts his own twist on it. He uses his long reach and quick hands to strip the ball from his opponent.

Over the years he has provided Warriors fans with some moments that will never be forgotten:

The way his opponent reacts it looks as if it’s a foul, but because he times it just right and doesn’t involve hand or arm contact, Iguodala his able to cause the turnover. That is hard to do in today’s game because of how players sell the call and referees immediately blow their whistle. Says a lot about his ability to defend without fouling.

This past regular season, Iguodala has had a total of 61 steals and 51 blocks. In the post season, he has 17 steals and 14 blocks, including five steals against the Houston Rockets in Game 5. At Arizona he knew a thing or two about defense, recording a total of 95 steals and 29 blocks, which helped him earn All-Pac First 10 team in 2004. With the Warriors, he has been All-NBA Defensive Team twice (2014 and 2011).

At Zona Zealots, we are proud of how Andre Iguodala has continued to excel after 15 seasons in the NBA. Somewhere Lute Olson is smiling, knowing how special of a player Iguodala was going to be at the next down. Bear Down Iggy!