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NBA Finals: Nuggets in the Finals

By Blake Holmes

Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 22, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) grabs a rebound as San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) defends during the first half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
May 22, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) grabs a rebound as San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) defends during the first half in game four of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

On one side of the match-up, there are three former Nuggets that now play for the Warriors.

Starting off the list is JaVale McGee, an inconsistent, athletic freak who played four seasons for Denver.

Nov 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs center Matt Bonner (15) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) shoots the ball over San Antonio Spurs center Matt Bonner (15) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

He was fun to watch in the blue and gold at some times, but he was a pain at others. McGee was over-paid, but a reliable back-up option to have, much like he is on the Warriors right now. If the Nuggets had been able to sign him for the contract the Dubs have on him, it could have been worth keeping him around. JaVale averaged just over nine points and almost five rebounds per game during his best season for the Nuggets, in 2012 (per basketball-reference).

Next on the list is Ian Clark, who had a very brief stint with the Nuggets in 2014. He only played seven games, but he does technically count for this list, as he was looking to find his NBA home. Clark was a player who barely saw the floor in those games too, so there really isn’t much to say about him. He averaged just over a point on just over 36 percent shooting (per basketball-reference).

Last, but not least, is a face that left a bitter taste in A LOT of Nuggets fans with his move. Many Nuggets fans state that he “pulled a KD before KD did,” and his name is Andre Iguodala.

Jan 13, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 13, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) guards Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Personally, I feel no hostility towards the Warriors or Andre, I respect the team and the player. Also I find it different from the Kevin Durant situation in that KD was with Oklahoma City for a long time, while Andre Iguodala was a Nugget for one season. Iggy decided to bolt to the Golden State Warriors after they upset the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, and Nuggets fans haven’t let it go since. I know that the fans are optimistic, but Iguodala has something there that he may not have received in Denver, an NBA Finals ring and a Finals MVP. According to basketball-reference, Andre averaged 13 points and 5.4 assists per game in 2012.

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