The star of the 2015 NBA Finals was supposed to be Stephen Curry. Or LeBron James. Or Klay Thompson. Or Kyrie Irving. But not Andre Iguodala.
MORE: Ranking every NBA Finals rematch
When the dust settled, the former NBA All-Star-turned-role player emerged with Finals MVP honors after helping the Warriors bring home the title in six games. So who could be this year’s Iguodala? There are a few candidates.
Channing Frye
Since being acquired by the Cavs via trade in February, Frye has shown the ability to fill it up from time to time. The sweet-shooting big man has hit double figures five times in the postseason, including a 27-point outburst featuring a 7-for-9 performance from 3-point range against the Hawks in the second round. His 3-point shooting will be needed against the high-scoring Warriors.
RAFFERTY: Warriors need a solution for unstoppable Cavs
Harrison Barnes
Barnes has not had a good postseason so far. He’s averaging almost three points less than he did in the regular season (8.9 ppg) and shooting just over 40 percent from the field. He’s likely due for a big game or two in the Finals. It would benefit him financially as well, as he will be a free agent this summer. Whether he stays with the Warriors or goes elsewhere, a good Finals showing could definitely up his value.
J.R. Smith
Smith has the ability to shoot the Cavs into the game or take them out of it, specifically from behind the 3-point line. He is shooting 46.2 percent from long range in the playoffs, scoring 20 points or more three times in the process. He’ll be pressed to keep that up while trying to help defend against The Splash Brothers.
DEVENEY: Iggy is ready to shut down LeBron
Andre Iguodala
We couldn't’t leave last season’s Finals MVP off this list. Iguodala hasn't put up big numbers this postseason, but what he does isn’t always quantifiable. It’s making the right switch on the screen. It’s forcing Kevin Durant (or LeBron James in this series) to take a 15-foot jumper instead of a 10-foot one. More than that, though, he always seems to make a play to energize the team when Curry and Thompson aren’t in the game or are still searching for their shot. Draymond Green may be the heart of the team, but Iguodala is the Warriors' emotional thermostat.