Think Andre Iguodala is bitter about LeBron James’ chase-down block on him during Game 7 of the NBA Finals?
Think again.
Sure, LeBron iced what should have been a wide-open, and perhaps championship-clinching, layup. But Iguodala admitted to ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes that he was a fan of the King’s handy work:
“I’m like, ‘Man, that s— was so dope to me, too.’ I was a fan. That s— was amazing. When he blocked it, I was like, ‘Damn, somebody got shot.’ I thought it was funny. Somebody just made a good play. What you want me to do? If you enjoy the game of basketball, you should just be like, ‘Dude made a great play. F— it.'”
Iguodala, for the record, also offered kudos to J.R. Smith, whose position on the play apparently set up LeBron’s opportunity for defensive immortality:
“If J.R. is not there, I’m dunking it. Well, I don’t know if I’m dunking, though, because I was about to die out there,” Iguodala said while busting out in laughter. “But I give him all respect. When he blocked it, I thought somebody got shot. I laugh about it all the time. People try to joke on me. I still get mentions all day from fans always talking about the block.”
It’s pretty cool that Iguodala is already looking back upon that moment in jest and appreciation and respect just a few months later. That’s the kind of play that seems like it can stick with you.
But the Golden State Warriors had many other opportunities to win their second-straight championship. And when looking at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ comeback in those terms, any basketball fan, even if they’re a Warriors fan or player, can appreciate the ridiculous skill and sheer greatness behind LeBron’s block.
Because it’s like Iguodala said: That shit was so, so, so dope.
