Andre Iguodala came off the bench and played an important role in the Warriors' win over the Los Angeles Lakers. That sentence was accurate numerous times in recent years and was once again Tuesday night in Golden State's season-opening victory.
In his first game back with the Warriors in more than two years, it often seemed like Iguodala had never left. Hit fit in seamlessly with his teammates -- some new, some old -- and looked very much like the player who was part of five straight Finals runs, and not the one who appeared to be in the twilight of his career over the last two seasons with the Miami Heat.
Iguodala contributed 12 points, two assists, one rebound and one block in the Warriors' 121-114 win at Staples Center. On only two occasions in Iguodala's time with the Heat did he eclipse that scoring output. That's not the main reason why the Warriors brought him back, but following the win, one of Iguodala's closest teammates of all time sought to dispel a commonly believed notion as to why they did.
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"He looked great," Steph Curry said of Iguodala. "He looked like he was moving well, obviously came in and hit some big shots. His hands are still amazing on defense, and just his IQ ...
"I think when he came here, there was that narrative that he was just a locker room presence and just a veteran who's just going to come in and be a chaperone and make sure the young guys stayed on the straight and narrow, but he made it clear from day one that he's still got a lot left in the tank. What he's going to do on the floor will be as meaningful as what he does to boost our culture and help the young guys. He played 23 minutes tonight and looked good for all 23 of them."
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In his first game back with Golden State, Iguodala looked like his old Warriors self. And with that performance coming in a very impressive win over a championship contender, surely the Warriors are hoping that won't be the only way in which history repeats itself.
