Andre Iguodala is a veteran NBA player with a long history of success in the league. He has won three NBA championships, including one with the Golden State Warriors in 2015, where he was named the Finals MVP.
In 2019, Iguodala was traded from the Warriors to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was expected to provide veteran leadership and playoff experience to a young and up-and-coming team.
However, almost immediately, there were tensions between Iguodala and some of his new teammates, particularly Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks. This led to speculation about whether Iguodala wanted to be part of the Grizzlies’ rebuilding project, or if he was more interested in joining a contending team.
In this article, we will explore the reasons behind the tension between Iguodala and the Grizzlies, including the expectations surrounding his contract, the frustration among some of his new teammates, and possible contributing factors such as Iguodala’s reputation as a player who prioritizes winning over team loyalty.
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Why Does Memphis Hate Andre Iguodala?
In the 2019-2020 NBA season, Andre Iguodala was traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Memphis Grizzlies. At the time, Iguodala was a highly sought-after veteran player, known for his championship experience and ability to contribute to winning teams.
However, the Grizzlies were a young and up-and-coming team, without much of a chance of making a deep playoff run that year. According to reports, there was an understanding between Iguodala and the Grizzlies that he would either be bought out of his contract or traded to a contending team.
However, when Iguodala arrived in Memphis, he did not immediately join the team or participate in any games. This led to frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players, including Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks, who saw Iguodala’s absence as a lack of commitment to the team.
In an interview with ESPN, Brooks expressed his frustration, saying, “I can’t wait until we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him really what Memphis is about.” Morant also chimed in, tweeting, “Ahh, I see @andre doesn’t want to go through the grind, so he’s gone take his ball and go home.”
It’s possible that this tension and frustration towards Iguodala could have contributed to a perception of him as not wanting to play with or be part of the Grizzlies’ young and up-and-coming team. However, it’s important to note that this is just one perspective on the situation, and that there could be many other factors that contributed to any animosity towards Iguodala in Memphis.
The Background
Andre Iguodala is a former NBA player who is widely regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders of his generation. He played for several teams throughout his career, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Golden State Warriors. He won three NBA championships with the Warriors and was named the NBA Finals MVP in 2015.
Iguodala’s reputation as a veteran player with championship experience made him a highly sought-after player for teams looking to make a deep playoff run. In the 2019-2020 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies acquired Iguodala in a trade with the Golden State Warriors. However, Iguodala did not immediately join the Grizzlies or participate in any games.
The circumstances of Iguodala’s trade to Memphis were somewhat complicated. At the time of the trade, Iguodala was still under contract with the Warriors but was not playing with the team. There was an understanding between Iguodala and the Grizzlies that he would either be bought out of his contract or traded to a contending team.
However, the Grizzlies did not immediately buy out Iguodala’s contract, and Iguodala did not want to play for the young and rebuilding Grizzlies. As a result, Iguodala did not join the Grizzlies until February 2020, several months after the trade.
This led to frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players, who saw Iguodala’s absence as a lack of commitment to the team. In an interview with ESPN, Dillon Brooks expressed his frustration, saying, “I can’t wait until we find a way to trade him so we can play him and show him really what Memphis is about.” Ja Morant also tweeted, “Ahh, I see @andre doesn’t want to go through the grind, so he’s gone take his ball and go home.”
Overall, the circumstances of Iguodala’s trade to Memphis, including his delayed arrival and the frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players, could have contributed to a perception of him as not wanting to play with or be part of the team. However, it’s important to consider all the factors that could contribute to any animosity towards Iguodala in Memphis.
The Grizzlies’ Perspective
The delay in Andre Iguodala’s arrival to the Memphis Grizzlies following his trade from the Golden State Warriors in 2019-2020 NBA season caused frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players, including Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks. Both players expressed their frustration publicly about Iguodala’s absence from the team.
In an interview with The Athletic, Dillon Brooks expressed his disappointment with Iguodala’s unwillingness to play for the Grizzlies, saying, “I just think it’s disrespectful to the guys that are playing. You’ve got a guy that’s being paid to be a professional and he’s not even thinking about the team.”
Ja Morant also voiced his frustration on social media, tweeting, “I just wanna hoop and I’m looking forward to that day back in Memphis. Love me or hate me, but I’m always going to keep it real. It’s not what ppl [sic] think. I stand behind my brothers no matter what & that’s not going to change.” In another tweet, Morant added, “I just wanna play..whoever [sic] it’s against.”
This frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players could have contributed to a perception of Iguodala as not wanting to play with or be part of the team. The Grizzlies were a young and up-and-coming team at the time, and Iguodala’s absence could have been interpreted as him not wanting to be part of that process.
Additionally, Iguodala had a reputation as a player who prioritized winning over team loyalty, which could have further fueled the perception that he did not want to play for the Grizzlies.
However, it’s important to note that not all of the Grizzlies’ players felt this way about Iguodala. Some players, such as veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, expressed understanding of Iguodala’s situation and were more focused on the team’s performance on the court.
Overall, while the frustration among some of the Grizzlies’ players towards Iguodala’s absence could have contributed to a perception of him not wanting to play with or be part of the team, it’s important to consider all the factors that could have influenced this perception.
Possible Contributing Factors
It’s important to acknowledge that there could be many factors contributing to any animosity towards Iguodala in Memphis, beyond just his delayed arrival to the team. One possible factor is Iguodala’s reputation as a player who prioritizes winning over team loyalty.
This reputation was established during his time with the Golden State Warriors, where he won three championships and was known for his ability to make key plays in high-pressure situations. Some fans and players may have viewed Iguodala’s trade to the Grizzlies as a sign that he was not committed to the team, and was only interested in joining a contender.
Another possible factor contributing to any animosity towards Iguodala in Memphis is the general disappointment among fans and players about the team’s lack of success in recent years. The Grizzlies had not made the playoffs since the 2016-2017 season, and Iguodala’s arrival was seen as a potential boost to the team’s chances of success.
However, his delayed arrival and perceived lack of commitment may have fueled frustration among fans and players who were eager for the team to improve.
It’s also worth considering the cultural differences between Iguodala and the Grizzlies’ team and fanbase. Iguodala had spent the majority of his career on the West Coast, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors before joining the Grizzlies.
Memphis, on the other hand, has a distinct culture and basketball history that may have been unfamiliar to Iguodala. This cultural divide could have contributed to any miscommunication or misunderstandings between Iguodala and the Grizzlies’ team and fanbase.
Overall, there are likely many factors contributing to any animosity towards Iguodala in Memphis, and it’s important to consider all of these factors when trying to understand the situation. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual fan and player to form their own opinions about Iguodala and his role on the team.
2019-2020 Season Comparison – Andre Iguodala and the Memphis Grizzlies
| Statistic | Andre Iguodala (Memphis Grizzlies) | Memphis Grizzlies |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 14 | 73 |
| Points per Game | 5.7 | 112.6 |
| Rebounds per Game | 3.7 | 46.4 |
| Assists per Game | 3.2 | 27.0 |
| Field Goal % | 41.7% | 46.8% |
| Three-Point % | 37.5% | 35.2% |
| Free Throw % | 61.5% | 76.9% |
| Record | 10-4 | 34-39 |
| Playoffs | Lost in First Round | Yes |
This table provides a quick overview of how Iguodala’s statistics compare to those of the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019-2020 season, when he played for the team. It also notes the team’s record and playoff outcome for that season.
FAQs
Q: Did Andre Iguodala ever play for the Memphis Grizzlies?
A: Yes, Iguodala eventually joined the Grizzlies for the 2019-2020 season, after he was bought out by the Grizzlies and subsequently signed with the Miami Heat. He played 14 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.
Q: Did the Memphis Grizzlies make the playoffs during the 2019-2020 season?
A: Yes, the Grizzlies made the playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference, but were eliminated in the first round by the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers.
Q: What is Andre Iguodala doing now?
A: As of early 2023, Iguodala is a free agent, having most recently played for the Golden State Warriors during the 2020-2021 season. He has expressed interest in continuing his NBA career, but has not yet signed with a team.
Q: Did Andre Iguodala ever address the criticism he received from Grizzlies players and fans?
A: Iguodala did not make many public statements about the situation, but did write about it in his book “The Sixth Man: A Memoir,” which was published in June 2021. In the book, Iguodala describes his time with the Grizzlies as a “business transaction” and acknowledges that he was not always forthcoming with his intentions regarding his future with the team. He also writes that he has no hard feelings towards the Grizzlies or their fans, and appreciates the experience of playing for the team.
Conclusion
There was definitely some animosity towards Andre Iguodala among some members of the Memphis Grizzlies organization and fanbase following his trade to the team in 2019. This was largely due to the perception that Iguodala was not committed to playing for the team, and instead prioritized joining a contending team.
Statements from players like Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks, as well as Iguodala’s own comments, suggest that there were some tensions between him and his new teammates. However, it is also possible that other factors contributed to the frustration and disappointment felt by Grizzlies players and fans during this time, such as the team’s lack of success in recent years.
Ultimately, Iguodala did end up playing for the Grizzlies for a brief period, but his time with the team was marked by controversy and mixed emotions.
