Andre Iguodala isn't betting on Steph Curry this Friday, but the upcoming NBA season is a different story. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP recently admitted he wasn't confident in all aspects of Curry's golf game, but when it comes to basketball, Iguodala is far more optimistic.
Iguodala will serve as an analyst for Capital One’s "The Match: Champions for Change" on Friday, in which Curry will be teamed up with Peyton Manning for a modified alternate-shot match-play round of golf against Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley. But before Iguodala evaluates his former teammate's swing stance, he offered some insight as to what he expects out of Curry and the Warriors in the 2020-21 NBA season.
"I think they will be motivated from last year," Iguodala told The Athletic's Richard Deitsch. "I think it was good for them to have that time off. Going to that many Finals takes a toll on a body, especially what is expected from [Curry]. It was good for him to just be able to let the brain settle down from the last five years. I think Steph is in his bag right now in terms of the prep he’s been putting to get ready for the upcoming season. I’m really, really excited to see what he comes out and does."
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Iguodala has long been one of Curry's most ardent supporters, so it comes as no surprise that he has high expectations for the two-time MVP. But Iguodala also thinks highly of the moves Golden State has made this offseason.
"They have an interesting team," Iguodala continued. "They made some good pickups. I like [Kelly] Oubre [Jr.] a lot. I like the draft pick [James Wiseman]. Brad Wanamaker I like a lot. I got to play against him in the Eastern Conference finals. I think he’ll thrive in that system, and he is going to be really solid and a calming figure for them. Draymond [Green] has been putting his work in this summer too to get back out there. I think Steph’s going to have a big year."
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Though Iguodala hasn't played for the Warriors in well over a year, he remains directly connected to the current roster. The $17.2 million trade exception Golden State used to acquire Oubre in the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last week was originally created when the Warriors traded Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies last July.
Golden State Warriors
So, if Curry has the standout season that his former teammate fully expects, Iguodala likely will have played a role in it.