Posed in Miami since February 2020, the triple NBA champion and MVP of the 2015 Finals declared himself fit to play a maximum of two more years. A decision that the person has thought about well and which ultimately makes sense for many reasons. In the meantime, that means we have two seasons left to take advantage of this exceptional player before he hangs up the sneakers for good.
It was after training with the Heat that the 36-year-old veteran spoke about his end of career at the microphone ofUSA Today, to draw the outlines and explain how he sees his last years in a League that he frequents almost every night since 2004 and his draft in ninth position by the Philadelphia Sixers. The ex-Warrior explains that his decision will initially be linked to his contract, because the extension he signed with the Heat and which begins next year has a team option on the second year, that is – that is to say that it is up to the franchise that the choice to extend or not Iggy will fall at the end of the 2020-21 season. The second reason why this good Andre will not take the path of a Vince or a Dirk is that he wishes to participate actively in the accompaniment of his son, who is getting ready to discover high school. soon.
“I have about a year or two ahead of me. I’m serious, I have two maximum. […] The [son fils, ndrl] lives a rich and comfortable life, so I have to prepare him to be self-sufficient. He’s smart enough, but he hasn’t had to deal with the danger yet. Coming from where we come from, it helps us to be aware of what is happening in the street. You must therefore analyze the environment and know that there are threats around. But he’s in such a comfortable life that I have to steer him on it. “
It’s not always easy for a young person in the States, so dad wants to be there if there’s a problem, and that’s understandable. Still, if he takes care of his son as well as he plays basketball, the kid is quiet, it will go by itself. Well yes, because even if there are two years maximum in Iguodala, the guy will bring death to the team of which he will be part, and this until the end of his contract. So okay, it won’t be scoring in the Philly years mode where he was almost 20 points on average, but it will be just as interesting in terms of leadership. Triple NBA champion with the Warriors, MVP of the 2015 Finals (Sorry Stephen, but it is Iggy who has the trophy at home), All-Star in 2012, All-Defensive First Team in 2014, and so on… speak for the man, and when he speaks on the bench or in the locker room, well you buckle up and you listen to what the dean says, period. Currently in the Heat, it is therefore a great added value that Iggy brings, and that Erik Spoelstra has captured it well: contract of 30 million over two years including a guaranteed season, it may seem a lot but it is clearly deserved for the regularity, the rigor and the character of the man.
Well, even if we are used to this kind of statement, it is always a twinge to the heart to see that this NBA of the early 2000s slowly withdraws and leaves room for the next generation. Now ? No other alternative but to enjoy good old Iggy to the fullest, because when he leaves, it will certainly be for good.
Source texte : USA Today
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