In the long list of Finals MVPs since the trophy was created in 1969, there are exceptions. The first, and undoubtedly 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 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 major five 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.
Of course, until then, the Cavs ‘defense had focused on Stephen Curry, and since Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were irregular, the Californians’ offense was skidding. It 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, precious in defense
On June 16, 2015, in Game 6, this formation of five very versatile players will still do a lot of harm to David Blatt’s defense. The Cavaliers are overwhelmed by the speed of the Warriors in moving and transmitting. The 2015 Finals were tactically superb and Steve Kerr won the battle.
“He was very strong in this series and he saved our season”, believes Draymond Green outright when talking about Andre Iguodala. “I always said he was a great professional. He showed it. This is why he is the MVP of the Finals. “
Andre Iguodala has changed the face of the series and his last game is his most successful with 25 points in the Warriors victory (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), was huge, compiling monstrous numbers (35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists from average), but suffered against Andre Iguodala. He will shoot only 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 with 7 votes to 4.
