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Two of Andre Iguodala’s former Warriors teammates will make their long-awaited return to the field next month, and he has high hopes for both of them.
Days after Iguodala said he expects Steph Curry to have “a great year,” the Miami Heat forward said on Friday on “The Match: Champions for Change” that the Brooklyn Nets superstar, Kevin Durant, is his MVP for next season.
“Both guys will be great next year,” Iguodala said, referring to a tweet posted by “No Laying Up” featuring an animation Durant and Draymond Green GIF. “Can’t wait to see KD. My preseason MVP [pick]. “
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After leaving the Warriors in free agency last summer, Durant missed the entire 2019-20 season by rehabilitating a ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. Durant was injured in his first game after sustaining a calf injury in the Warriors’ second round with the Houston Rockets in the playoffs.
Until this first injury, Durant played one of the best basketballs of his career. Durant averaged 34.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the first 11 games of the 2019 Playoffs. The two-time NBA Finals MVP shot 51.3% from the field, 41 , 6% over the 3 point line and 90.1% from the free throw line. Durant will be 32 when he takes the pitch next month, but Iguodala believes his former teammate can hit the ground while running.
Curry also comes from a significant layoff, as he only played one game after breaking his hand last October and before the previous season was put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Warriors finished 15-50 due to the absences of Curry and Klay Thompson, leaving Green as Golden State’s most accomplished and experienced player practically every night. Iguodala told Athletic’s Richard Deitsch earlier this week that he has confidence in his former teammates who will bounce back.
“I think they will be motivated compared to last year,” Iguodala told Deitsch. “I think it was good for them to have that free time. Going to so many finals has an impact on a body, especially what is expected of [Curry]. It was good for him to just be able to let the brain settle for the past five years. I think Steph is in his bag right now in terms of the preparation he has put in place to prepare for the season ahead. I’m really, really excited to see what he comes out and does. “
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Iguodala’s return to the NBA Finals likely goes through Durant. The Heat’s appearance in the final this fall was Iguodala’s sixth in a row, but Durant’s Nets are considered the Eastern Conference favorites.
If Miami and Brooklyn match up in the playoffs, and Durant is as good as Iguodala predicted on Friday, Iguodala’s streak could end.
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