The Golden State Warriors have officially retired the first jersey from their dynasty era from 2015 to 2022, as Andre Iguodala’s No. 9 has gone up into the rafters of the Chase Center.
The ceremony took place after the Warriors’ 126-102 win over the Dallas Mavericks, meaning former Warrior Klay Thompson was in attendance to see his teammate’s jersey go up.
Stephen Curry gave an emotional speech about Iguodala’s time with the Warriors. The speech had great excerpts, like when Curry recounts the beginning of this journey when Iguodala became the first free agent to believe in the Warriors and join the franchise.
“We talk about our dynasty years, the championships, the Finals MVPs, all the big shots and moments you had. The real ones know where it all started.”
“I remember Game 6 in 2013, you were on the Denver Nuggets. We were the young scrappy Warriors who were trying to cement a place in the Playoffs. We had the fortune of beating you that series, but the first thing after the horn went off, you ran over and found me. We had a history, but that love and that message you gave me, I didn’t know it was in the future, but I felt something. I knew you saw something in us.”
“And four months later, you were the first one to choose us. That meant the world to a team that was trying to figure it out.”
Curry highlighted how Iguodala’s choice bolstered the group internally and validated their belief they could achieve special things together.
“I think we all can feel it but this isn’t just about a number going into the rafters,” Curry said. “This is about a player who changed the course of our entire franchise. … You were the first one to choose us, and that meant the world. For a team that knew we were good but didn’t know how to get to that next level, you unlocked so much confidence, so much IQ, so much maturity to what we did.
The best bit came when Curry highlighted what Iguodala sacrificed to make the Warriors a dynasty.
“You sacrificed ego for excellence, which for us is the Warriors way.”
As Steph is still trying to lead the Warriors to more titles, he had to give credit to Iguodala’s leadership, a role that Iggy passed onto Steph before retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
“Since you left that locker room, it has been hard to fill that void,” Curry said. “But you also left me with the title of oldest Warrior. … When we see that jersey up in the rafters, deservedly so, it just sinks in that we are old.”
Iguodala also gave an emotional speech after seeing his legacy solidified.
“We haven’t really had time to reflect, Steph, you made the world turn. That is not something you say lightly. You truly changed the game of basketball. It was beautiful. … I understood my role. I understood the genius of Draymond [Green], the genius of Klay, the genius of Kevin Durant. … Shaun Livingston and I … we had this unique team that understood, had this precious ultra-talented assassin. Steph, none of this happens without you.”
Iguodala averaged 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 452 games over his career with the Warriors. He won the 2015 Finals MVP while also playing a role in the team’s three other title wins in 2017, 2018, and 2022. He did leave the franchise for two years from 2019 to 2021, but his return was a crucial factor behind why the Warriors could win the 2022 Championship.
His jersey is the first from the iconic recent dynasty of the Warriors, with retirements for Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and maybe Kevin Durant soon to follow after their retirements. Kevon Looney might have a shot at retirement as well if he spends the rest of his career in Golden State as a three-time champion.