In a recent episode of ‘The Old Man & the Three,’ former NBA players JJ Redick and Evan Turner had a laugh about the 2015 NBA Finals MVP decision. Andre Iguodala earned the honor for limiting LeBron James to numbers that Redick and Turner found amusing: a “40-point triple-double.”
As they reminisced, Iguodala said, “Bron, when he got there… and I gotta word this right because they’ll find any way for me to knock Bron.”
Redick chimed in, “You did win MVP over him in 2015”.
Turner couldn’t resist, sarcastically adding, “Made it look like it was child’s play. You held him to that 40-point triple-double. My gosh, bro. Let’s get it!”
The 2015 NBA Finals saw the Golden State Warriors pitted against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Iguodala was given the task of guarding LeBron, and his defensive efforts were deemed pivotal in the series. Despite this, LeBron’s performance was staggering, considering he averaged a “40-point triple-double.”
It’s crucial to clarify that LeBron didn’t actually average a 40-point triple-double. His stats were 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game in the 2015 Finals. Though he shot 39/31/68 percentages, it was one of his least efficient series. However, with a 41% usage rate, he was clearly carrying a heavy load against a 67-win Warriors team.
The MVP award’s criteria often raise eyebrows. Is it about personal brilliance, game impact, or just the loudest narrative? Many believed Stephen Curry should’ve clinched the 2015 Finals MVP title.
Interestingly, Jerry West, the first-ever recipient of the Finals MVP, is the sole player to have won the award from the losing side. With LeBron becoming the first player in NBA history to lead the Finals in points, rebounds, and assists, fans and experts speculated whether he should’ve been the rightful MVP.
The MVP award criteria can seem subjective. Players like LeBron, who shine even on relatively off days, always leave fans in awe. But It’s crucial to recognize Iguodala’s expertise, as he has been an indispensable player in the league.
On the same podcast, Iguodala humbly stated that he doesn’t believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame, despite an efficient NBA career, encompassing 4 NBA titles, 1 Olympic gold medal and 1 coveted Finals MVP award.
