Andre Iguodala knocked down another clutch 3-pointer and let out some rare emotion
http://www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kendall-wright-jersey , triumphantly reaching his arms out wide as he ran back to the defensive end. The
Golden State swingman had thrown down a spectacular alley-oop dunk only 31
seconds earlier, and he was feeling it as the clocked ticked away on a second
straight lopsided playoff win.
There’s something about Iguodala in the postseason. He paces himself through the regular season to be fresh and ready – and sometimes dominant – on the big
stage for the defending NBA champions.
”Everyone gets hyped when Andre gets hyped because that’s a rare occurrence,” teammate Klay Thompson said. ”You might see it on the golf course.”
.tpClipInfo > * { display: none !important; }.tpPlayer { display: none !important; }.tpReleaseList > * { display: none !important; }.tpReleaseModel > * { display: none !important; }.tpNavigation > * { display: none !important; }.tpSearch > * { display: none !important; }.tpCategoryModel > * { display: none !important; }.tpHeader > * { display: none !important; }.tpCategoryList > * { display: none !important; }It’s just what the short-handed Warriors were hoping to see.
Iguodala is back in the starting lineup for Golden State’s first-round series against the Spurs, filling in for Stephen Curry as the two-time MVP recovers
from a sprained left knee. That’s how versatile Iguodala is: the 6-foot-6
swingman can be inserted in place of a point guard. The Warriors will go for a
3-0 lead Thursday when the best-of-seven series shifts to San Antonio.
At 34, Iguodala knows how to take care of himself over the long grind of an NBA season, all to be prepared to do whatever is asked of him in the
playoffs.
”For us to be able to throw Andre out there really 1 through 4 both offensively and defensively, it’s an incredibly valuable weapon,” coach Steve
Kerr said.
That’s when he has been at his brilliant best for the Warriors – and they are getting their money’s worth from a major investment last summer.
Many feared he might leave, but Iguodala received a $48 million, three-year contract to stay put and chase another championship. Even if he could have
landed a bigger role elsewhere.
”Well, we met with him and we gave him our pitch and lots of money so we were hoping he wasn’t going to leave,” Kerr said. ”I didn’t anticipate him leaving
because he knows this is a great situation for him and we rewarded him for
everything he’s done and for what we think he can do for us. I think this year
was a good example of that. A lot of people were grumbling about he’s not
shooting the ball well or whatever. … It’s the incredible defense, amazing
awareness
Trenton Cannon Color Rush Jersey , intelligence, leadership.”
Iguodala keeps it simple, whether he’s in the lineup or coming off the bench: ”Just try to do whatever it takes to help the team get over the hump and get a
win.”
In 2015, Kerr moved Iguodala into the starting lineup, and he became Finals MVP as the franchise captured its first championship in 40 years.
Golden State is hoping for the same this spring. Iguodala had only started seven times before Game 1 of the playoffs Saturday, when he had seven rebounds,
four assists and three points.
That’s after he missed four of the final five regular season games with a sore left knee.
”He’s definitely got to pace himself, the man’s played so much hoops in the last 15 years,” Thompson said. ”Andre is a gamer. He is going to step up in the
biggest moments, and right now it’s the playoffs. We have all the trust in the
world for him, that’s why he’s a Finals MVP.”
On Monday, Iguodala finished with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting with four 3-pointers, seven rebounds
Danny Shelton Color Rush Jersey , five assists, a steal and a block.
And he can guard anybody.
”His hands are so good. That’s the small thing that people don’t realize, he’s got great hands when he gets steals,” Kevin Durant said. ”So guys are just
thinking about that when they’re trying to score on him. As a scorer you’ve got
to think about something other than getting to your spots or getting into your
rhythm and it throws you off just a little bit. And that’s all you need to guard
the best player, just for them to think just a tiny bit and Dre does that.”
Iguodala was part of the Warriors group that traveled to the Hamptons to persuade Durant to join a super team in July 2016.
”I always knew what Andre could do,” Durant said. ”I played two USA teams with him, so I kind of knew his value. He’s not one of those guys that’s going
to go out and say, `Here, Dre, give us 30 points.’ He’s one of those who can do
just about everything good – he can shoot, he can pass, he can dribble, he can
defend
Cheap Baker Mayfield Jersey , he can rebound, he can do all those things really good. It’s not like he wants to do one thing more than the other.”
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The Washington Capitals are bringing back two of the more important players from their Stanley Cup run by getting new contracts done with winger Devante
Smith-Pelly and defenseman Michal Kempny.
Smith-Pelly had offers from other teams and took less money to sign a $1 million, one-year deal Thursday. A person with knowledge of the move later in
the day said the Capitals agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with Kempny.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the
deal had not been announced.
”We all want to come back and play and try it again with the same group,” Smith-Pelly said. ”Obviously it might not work that way, but I think that’s
what’s everyone intention to all come back and all be the same group.”
.tpClipInfo > * { display: none !important; }.tpPlayer { display: none !important; }.tpReleaseList > * { display: none !important; }.tpReleaseModel > * { display: none !important; }.tpNavigation > * { display: none !important; }.tpSearch > * { display: none !important; }.tpCategoryModel > * { display: none !important; }.tpHeader > * { display: none !important; }.tpCategoryList > * { display: none !important; }Smith-Pelly and Kempny were key acquisitions for the Capitals who played dividends in the playoffs. Smith-Pelly scored seven goals in the postseason,
while Kempny filled the need for a top-four defenseman.
Each player said after the season he’d like to return. For Kempny, it’s the chance to keep an ”amazing” time going after fitting in perfectly alongside John
Carlson and found his game under associate coach Todd Reirden.
”I’m very happy here,” Kempny said recently. ”We had plan with Todd, with defenseman coach, and the plan work out very well.”
The Capitals acquired Kempny from Chicago at the trade deadline for a third-round pick. He did not seem to be a favorite of Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville, was largely a third-pairing defenseman in Chicago and doubted his
own ability to play difficult minutes against top NHL players.
”Todd, defenseman coach, he get my belief in myself back and I really appreciate (him) for it because when I came here I didn’t believe in
myself
http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-logan-cooke-jersey ,” Kempny said. ”I didn’t have confidence enough. Now, I’m back and my confidence
is getting better and better.”
The 27 year-old Czech had two goals and three assists while playing 17:42 a game in the playoffs. Even better news for him is Reirden is the strong
front-runner to replace departed coach Barry Trotz.
Smith-Pelly likewise got his career back on track in Washington after he was bought out by New Jersey last summer. When signing Smith-Pelly to a two-way,
league-minimum $650,000 contract, general manager Brian MacLellan called him a
”project” and made no assurances he’d crack the opening night roster.
The Toronto native put up seven goals and nine assists in 75 regular-season games and then had two game-winners during his scoring tear in the playoffs.
Being comfortable in Washington and embraced by teammates and fans led
Smith-Pelly to take the Capitals’ offer rather than a one- or two-year deal
elsewhere with a higher salary.
”It wasn’t worth it to leave somewhere where I’m happy and somewhere where I really want to be,” the 26-year-old third-liner said. ”The money to me
personally is not that important if I’m not going to be happy somewhere
else.”
Smith-Pelly has 40 goals and 53 assists for 93 points in 341 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens, Devils and Capitals.
Smith-Pelly was ready to stop the career carousel.
”It’d be nice to just stick in for one place for a couple years, and hopefully if it works out, longer than just this one next year,” Smith-Pelly
said. ”It definitely played a role in the decision. I’m kind of tired of playing
on new teams and all that stuff. It’s good to come back and be in the same place
consecutive years.”
A 2010 second-round pick who had yet to find a foothold anywhere, Smith-Pelly was more than happy to take a chance on putting up bigger numbers going into
unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019.
”I have confidence in myself that I can carry over from the playoffs and do something and then set myself up for something bigger and more stable later,”
Smith-Pelly said. ”It’s definitely betting yourself. That’s what I’m
doing
Vinny Curry Color Rush Jersey , and I’m confident in myself.”
The Capitals wanted him back even after not giving him a qualifying offer Monday as a restricted free agent. Doing so at a cost of $715,000 would have
opened them up to an arbitration case and, at the very least, kept Smith-Pelly’s
salary-cap hit an unknown until the hearing in July or August.
It didn’t get to that point. The team continued to negotiate with agent Eustace King, and Smith-Pelly was more than happy to take a chance on putting up
bigger numbers going into unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2019.
”I have confidence in myself that I can carry over from the playoffs and do something and then set myself up for something bigger and more stable later,”
Smith-Pelly said. ”It’s definitely betting yourself. That’s what I’m doing, and
I’m confident in myself.”
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