Andre Makes Sure Steph Gets ASG Recognition in Player's Groupchat
The Warriors team dynamics are always interesting to watch. It’s widely viewed that they have probably the best locker room culture in the NBA. Their own-court cohesion (especially in the last 7 games), the actions of guys on the bench when their teammates do something good, and even just hearing about it from the players has all backed up that belief.
It’s a testament to their culture that these guys have each other’s backs, sure, but it’s also a testament to the culture that it’s no big deal when something doesn’t pan out right. Draymond Green went on his podcast, aptly named “The Draymond Green Show”, earlier today and talked about a few things, one of which was the day Andrew Wiggins was named an NBA All-Star starter.
The player’s groupchat was hyped up about it. It was a big deal for Wiggins, and everyone made sure he heard about it. What got lost in the mix, however, was the fact that Steph Curry was also named an All-Star starter. Even Steph didn’t think anything of him not getting that same recognition in the chat… At least until resident veteran Andre Iguodala made sure to say something about it.
“Andre comes in, y’know the elder statesman. Andre comes in and he says, ‘ay Steph congratulations, don’t let these MFs act like what you’re doing’s not elite, that sh*t is elite’… We’re all just more accustomed to Steph being an all-star starter, and we knew it was happening” Green said on the podcast.
The story was a light-hearted one, and things are obviously all good in the locker room, but this story says a lot about Steph Curry. The 2x MVP has always been candid on the record about having high expectations of himself; his “no excuses” press conference in the midst of a career-worst shooting slump has told that much. He didn’t think anything of him not getting a congrats initially from most of his teammates because he knows that’s the level he’s at.
It also says a lot about Andre Iguodala, or more-so about the veteran presence in Golden State. There’s a level of leadership that the older guys take with this team, always holding everyone accountable even for small things like forgetting to congratulate your star on something it’s obvious he was going to get. It is, of course, a valuable lesson to instill in the young guys because that’s how you build a proper culture: Accountability and willingness to hold yourself and others accountable.
The Warriors have enjoyed a lot of success this season despite a slew of struggles. Last night, the Dubs were without 4 of their 5 starters, plus three key rotation guys in Porter Jr., Iguodala, and Bjelica, but the young guns pulled out a win against a solid Spurs team. These are games that those guys may not have won without learning about the importance of work ethic and accountability that they are taught in Golden State.
This team is fun to watch, and a lot of it isn’t just because of the nightly spectacles it seems any player can go off for. The culture is defining success, and it brings a team unity that you don’t see in a lot of other places. There is no franchise like the Golden State Warriors.
(Photo credit: Hannah Foslien / Getty Images)