Andre Iguodala recently shared the circumstances that urged him to retire from the NBA. As many fans should certainly be aware, Iguodala is an NBA veteran who played for 19 seasons in the NBA. He began his career playing alongside Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. However, he is best known for his time with the Golden State Warriors.
In the 4 championships that GSW won in recent history, Iggy has been on the roster every single time and played an instrumental role in the success and championships that his team saw over the last decade. Since Iguodala can be considered a fan favorite, Warriors fans were undoubtedly saddened to find out that he recently announced his retirement.
Although Iggy has been in the NBA for almost two decades, fans are likely unable to accept his retirement and have held him to the standards that we hold LeBron James towards. However, upon hearing his most recent statements on injuries and his health, we can better understand why Andre decided to retire. With that being said, let us take a closer look at the situation and find out more.
Why did Andre Iguodala retire from the NBA?
Since it has been quite a few years since Iggy played a starring role on an NBA team, younger NBA fans might not know what he is capable of accomplishing. Throughout his 19-year NBA career, Iguodala averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists. However, these numbers do not take into consideration all the contributions Iggy has made on the defensive end of the floor.
The impact that his body has been taking over the past two decades might just be outside the scope of imagination for ordinary NBA fans. Andre was recently interviewed and discussed the subject in greater detail.
“Man, that stuff hurts. I think people don’t realize what your body goes through. Even the people closest to you, they don’t even realize what our bodies are going through. Like we be in pain and they just be looking at us like he always hurt or you always sore or something always and it’s like nah I need a new hip, I need two new knees, I need new wrists now…I just thought it was time.”
“Like, I need a new hip. I need 2 new knees. I need a new wrist now. I just thought it was time.”
Andre Iguodala on finally hanging it up.
(via @pointforward)pic.twitter.com/x4RlKViqPM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 20, 2023
Iguodala certainly makes a valid point. Fans will struggle to understand the deterioration in physical health among NBA players and their increased susceptibility to injury. Although the NBA community will undoubtedly miss Iguodala, no one can blame him for deciding to retire at this point in his NBA career.