In the long list of Finals MVPs since the trophy was created in 1969, there are exceptions. The first, and probably the best known, is Jerry West who is the only one to have won this trophy, in 1969 precisely, when he had lost the Finals.
The second is, for example, the late Wes Unseld, who died on June 2, 2020. The former Bullets pivot is the only winner not to have exceeded 10 points on average, with his 9 points per game in 1978.
Substitute at the start of the Finals
A third exception finally, with Andre Iguodala, MVP of the Finals in 2015. The Warriors winger is quite simply the only MVP of the Finals not to have started in the five major all the matches of this final series.
The former Sixers and Nuggets had indeed (and as was the case during the regular season) started the Finals against LeBron James and the Cavaliers on the bench. Except that after Game 3 lost and while his troops are led 2-1, Steve Kerr operates a change of strategy. He integrates Andre Iguodala in the five major, in place of an Andrew Bogut who is not dangerous enough offensively.
Inevitably, until then, the Cavs’ defense was focused on Stephen Curry, and as Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were irregular, the Californians’ offense was skating. This is the creation of the “Death Lineup”, with Curry, Thompson, Iguodala, Harrison Barnes and Green. The Warriors win Game 4 and then Game 5.
Capital in attack, valuable in defense
On June 16, 2015, in Game 6, this formation of five very versatile players will again do a lot of damage to the defense of David Blatt. The Cavaliers are overwhelmed by the speed of the Warriors in movement and transmissions. The 2015 Finals were superb tactically and Steve Kerr won the battle.
“He was very strong in this series and he saved our season”, downright esteem Draymond Green talking about Andre Iguodala. “I have always said that he was a very great professional. He showed it. That’s why he’s the Finals MVP. »
Andre Iguodala changed the face of the series and his last game is his most successful with 25 points in the victory of the Warriors (97-105). In the three games he started, he averaged 20.3 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.
In addition, we must highlight his defensive work on LeBron James. The Cavaliers star, isolated due to the absences of Kyrie Irving (injured since Game 1 of the Finals) and Kevin Love (since the first round), has been enormous, compiling monstrous numbers (35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists from average), but suffered against Andre Iguodala. He will only shoot at 38% success against the MVP of the Finals.
The two men are also the only ones to receive votes for this trophy. Of the 11 journalists surveyed to elect the MVP of the Finals, Andre Iguodala (16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4 assists in these Finals) won the vote by 7 votes to 4.
