NBA Finals: LeBron James rival Andre Iguodala ruled OUT of Game 1
GETTY Andre Iguodala has missed Golden State's last four games
The reigning NBA champions will have to do without the man who has guarded Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James so well in previous Finals. The two rulers of the East and the West go head-to-head for the championship for a fourth consecutive year with Golden State having won in 2015 and 2017, but lost in 2016 having led 3-1. But Iguodala’s left leg contusion means that the Warriors will likely have to move either Draymond Green or Kevin Durant on to James - both of which would have a knock-on affect on the team at either end of the floor. Yet Kerr is confident that the responsibility of defending James - who is averaging 34 points per game in the current post-season having continued to excel - can be sufficiently shared among his team.
GETTY Andre Iguodala has guarded LeBron James with good success in past match-ups
NBA Finals schedule: When do Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers play? Wed, May 30, 2018 The NBA Finals schedule has been confirmed – when do the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers play? Play slideshow NBAE/Getty Images 1 of 7 GAME 1: 2:00am – Friday, June 1 (British Standard Time) Location: Oakland, CA
“Iguodala was MVP of the series in 2015 largely because he took that role on of guarding LeBron but also because of what he did offensively,” Kerr told reporters. “He’s doing a little bit better. There’s some encouraging signs but we have ruled him out for Game 1. “We’ve got lots of guys who can take on that job. It’s a group effort anyway, guarding LeBron. KD, Draymond, Klay [Thompson], Shaun Livingston, they’ll all see time on him.”
He’s doing a little bit better. There’s some encouraging signs but we have ruled him out for Game 1. Steve Kerr on Andre Iguodala
The Warriors have been without Iguodala since Game 3 of the Conference Finals with Kevon Looney, Jordan Bell and Nick Young all deputising in his absence on defense. And Kerr is pleased with what he’s been seeing from Iguodala’s replacements but admitted they have had to change things up without the 34-year-old swingman. He added: “They’re all doing well individually but none of them play at all like Andre. We’ve had to adapt our style a little bit.
GETTY LeBron James will take some stopping in this year's Finals