Andre Iguodala named Finals MVP after coming off bench to begin series

CLEVELAND -- Golden State forward Andre Iguodala was named MVP of the NBA Finals following the Warriors' 105-97 clinching win Tuesday night, becoming the first player to garner the honor without starting every game.

It also marks the first time that the Finals MVP has been on the same team as the regular-season MVP (Stephen Curry) since Magic Johnson claimed the Finals honor in 1980 while playing on a Los Angeles Lakers squad with regular-season MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"This has been a long ride," Iguodala said. "It's been a great season."

Before this season, Iguodala had started 758 consecutive games. This season, he remained in a reserve role until Game 4 of the Finals, when he was substituted into the starting lineup for center Andrew Bogut.

The Warriors then won each of the final three games of the series, overcoming the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 to take the title.

"He was great the entire series. But he saved this season for us," Warriors forward Draymond Green said. "I always say Andre's a pro's pro. He's a professional guy, and it showed, and that's why he's the MVP of this series, and that's why we're champions."

Iguodala finished the series with averages of 16.3 points, 4 assists and 5.8 rebounds. In Game 6, he scored 25 points and added 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

"My mind was working so many ways," Iguodala said. "Like, 'What's going to happen if you win? What's going to happen if you lose? How do you approach the game starting? Do you come out firing? Do you let it just come to you?'

"For me, it was just playing my game. If you're feeling it, shoot it. If you feel like you can make a play for somebody else, make a play for somebody else."

Iguodala also had the responsibility of guarding LeBron James, just as 2014 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard did. When Iguodala was on the floor, James shot 38.1 percent from the field.

"It's never one-on-one, but I think his ability to play multiple positions for their team along with some of those other guys allowed their team to be so dynamic," James said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.