Andre Iguodala played a pivotal role in the Golden State Warriors' dominance from 2015 to 2022, helping them secure four NBA titles. As fans revel in those memories, Iguodala recently shared a different side of the story on the "Roommates Show" podcast with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks.
Reflecting on the Warriors' 2018 championship and their 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Iguodala revealed a surprising truth: the team didn't even celebrate that victory. "The more you learn about the business, the more you see how schedules and TV games are set up," Iguodala explained.
The Warriors were at the center of the NBA's media circus, with schedules often revolving around them. This constant spotlight, he suggested, shifted his perspective on the game.
As Iguodala put it, the grind and the business side of basketball began to overshadow the joy of playing. "When you win it, you’re like, 'Alright, we did what we were supposed to do.'
The last championship, we didn’t even celebrate. We won, and it was like, 'Are we going to Vegas?
Nah, forget that. See you in a couple months.'"
This shift in attitude was "strange," Iguodala admitted, as the team started to focus more on individual stats to keep everyone content. Although not explicitly mentioned, this period coincided with tensions surrounding Kevin Durant's tenure with the team, which may have contributed to the lack of camaraderie.
For Iguodala, the thrill of winning didn’t match the fans' excitement. At the end of the day, basketball is both a job and a business. His insights reveal a paradox: the more success you achieve, the less joy it sometimes brings.