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It was a special day at Chase Center since the one and only Andre Iguodala has his No.9 jersey retired by the franchise after the Warriors beat the Mavericks.
In a touching gesture, Klay Thompson came back out after the game and sat in the front row to watch his former teammate’s jersey head into the rafters.
Klay Thompson is in the building for Andre Iguodalas jersey retirement 🫶💙💛
Sitting next to Loon aswell! #DubNationpic.twitter.com/4A9efStW3t
— LoonMuse (@KevonLooneyMuse) February 24, 2025
Iguodala was sure to credit everyone but himself for the achievement.
“None of this would have happened without all of you, the fans,” Iggy said.
“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’S NO. 9 HEADS TO THE RAFTERS 🙌
Congrats, @andre 👏 pic.twitter.com/tgUXcaYRqX
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2025
Curry told the crowd it was “weird and surreal” to see Iguodala be the first from the core championship to be honored.
“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 played eight seasons for the Dubs, won Finals MVP in 2015, had a 23-4 record in playoff series, helped Golden State win titles in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022 and create an incredible dynasty.
“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.
“You sacrificed ego for excellence, which for us is the Warriors way.”
The 41-year-old became just the seventh Golden State player to have his jersey retired, joining Wilt Chamberlain (No. 13), Chris Mullin (No. 17), Nate Thurmond (No. 42), Alvin Attles (No. 16), Rick Barry (No. 24) and Tom Meschery (No. 14).
No doubt Steph Curry’s jersey will be joining his once he calls time.
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