Andre Iguodala didn’t see a pressing need to be in the gym after the Warriors signed Kevin Durant in 2017.
• The Golden State Warriors knew their path to championship success was straightforward when they signed Kevin Durant
• Andre Iguodala revealed the Warriors’ practice habits after they signed KD
• Iguodala claimed that veterans like him would practice with the rest of their team for just under 30 minutes
The Golden State Warriors were not going to be beaten by any team between 2017 and 2019 as long as they had a healthy Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant. The team knew that and approached the game like that.
Andre Iguodala revealed how simple the practice habits for veterans on the Warriors had become because they knew they would win almost every game with KD on the roster.
“When we had KD and knew we were going to win every game, practice was at 11. It was on for like 20 minutes. It was just, ‘Get on the same page.’ We didn’t need too many plays and had to watch film. It was nothing. I would get to the gym at 8:30 and eat breakfast. At 9, I am lifting weights. At 10, I get on the court and do all my work. Practice at 11, I already did all my work… 11:45 I was in the car and I was on the (golf) course by 12 or 12:15.”
“When we had KD, and we knew we were going to win every game” 😅 Andre Igoudala was catching tee times 45 mins into practice no wonder y’all still hate the Warriors pic.twitter.com/fDEz82ojrL
— Allen Stiles (@The_StilesFiles) August 1, 2023
The Warriors walked their way to consecutive championships in 2017 and 2018 with Durant. Unfortunately, 2019 led to KD and Draymond’s relationship souring to the point where Durant left the franchise in the summer.
The Golden State Warriors Were Dominant With Kevin Durant
From the start of the 2016-17 season to the end of the 2018-19 season, the Warriors essentially ran the NBA. Their regular season record over these three seasons was 182-64. This doesn’t even include the 73-9 season the franchise enjoyed the year before.
Iguodala has previously said that the Warriors would’ve never beaten LeBron James again after 2016 without Durant, so this was a franchise-saving addition for the team.
The Durant-era guaranteed success for Golden State until injuries broke the team down. They made the Finals even after losing KD in that playoff run very early. Durant averaged 25.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over his three seasons with the Warriors.
