OAKLAND -- It was with impeccable timing, for the Warriors and for Andre Iguodala, that he has spent recent weeks summoning all the best parts of his game.
He has been a disruptive force on defense, as usual, but at a time when the Warriors needed something extra at both ends of the court, he is providing an abundance of offensive electricity.
Iguodala came through once more on Sunday as the Warriors suffocated Memphis in the fourth quarter to take a 106-94 win at Oracle Arena. Though the team's Sixth Man again scored at an efficient clip -- 20 points on eight shot attempts -- his ability to energize teammates from Stephen Curry to Draymond Green to Klay Thompson and beyond is no less significant.
"We feed off his energy when we see him get a rebound or get a steal, push up the court, make a crazy inside-out dribble and finish at the rim, knock down threes or play-make for other guys," Curry said. "It's fun to watch."
Iguodala's rise has coincided with the loss of Kevin Durant, the team's leading scorer and someone who plays the same position. With Durant out, Iguodala has taken on additional playing time, which can be risky for someone in his 13th season.
"He's been fantastic," coach Steve Kerr said. "He looks incredibly athletic, bouncy and fresh. He's a pro. The guy just knows how to take care of his body. He's done a great job of stepping up in KD's absence and recognizing what we need from him."
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The Warriors have played 13 games since Durant went down with a knee injury, and Iguodala has played in 11 of them, shooting 44 percent from deep and 61.8 percent overall. The man who shot 62.3 percent from the line in his first three seasons as a Warrior is at 70.1 percent this season. Leadership also is part of the package.
"I try to read (what's needed) when I get into the game," Iguodala said. "Try to bring that energy. And, more than anything, lead by example. Not say too much. Just show it."
When Iguodala is sprinting up and down the court, rising and dunking on one end, stripping balls away on the other, the Warriors are appreciably better team. If the Curry-Durant-Green-Thompson foursome is the engine, Iguodala is the turbo boost.
"We're a completely different team when he's as aggressive as he's been of late," Green said. "When he's moving the way he's been moving -- he's beating everybody down the floor -- it makes us a completely different team. "
Igoudala's minutes have spiked, from 23 per game in November, to 26 in December, to 27 in January and February, to almost 29 in March.
"I don't want to run his minutes up too much," Kerr said. "But if he has to play a couple extra minutes while KD is out, then that's fine."
It's fine with Iguodala and it's paying off for the Warriors.
Iguodala hopes it pays off, literally, when he becomes a free agent in July.
Though free agents entering their 14th season don't often command big money, he is making a very impressive audition for the Warriors or any team that might be interested in his services.
Iguodala has made it clear he'd prefer to stay in the Bay Area, and at this rate the Warriors may have to find the necessary coins to bring him back.
