Iguodala first MVP not to start every Finals game
CLEVELAND — Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was named MVP of the NBA Finals following the Warriors’ 105-97 clinching win Tuesday night, becoming the first player to garner the honor without starting every game.
It also marks the first time the Finals MVP has shared a team with the regular-season MVP (Stephen Curry) since Magic Johnson claimed the Finals honor in 1980 while playing on a Los Angeles Lakers squad with regular-season MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Prior to this season, Iguodala had started 758 consecutive games. He remained in a reserve role until Game 4 of the Finals, when he was substituted into the starting lineup for center Andrew Bogut. The Warriors won each of the final three games of the series, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 for the title.
Iguodala finished the series with averages of 16.3 points, 4 assists and 5.8 rebounds. In Game 6, he scored 25 points, and added five rebounds and five assists.
Iguodala also had the responsibility of guarding LeBron James, just as 2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard did. When Iguodala was on the floor, James shot 38.1 percent from the field.
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