The Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala dilemma is a good problem for the Warriors. They have two capable players that could play the small forward position and they have the entire season to find the best fit. Iguodala has started his whole NBA career, but his services might be better served with the second unit.
Iguodala’s play in the pre-season only made Steve Kerr’s decision to bring him off the bench a bit tougher. He played well with the second unit, which made one particular player happy. According to Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group, Leandro Barbosa is shocked he gets an opportunity to play with Iguodala in the second unit:
Leandro Barbosa said he’s “pretty shocked” to be in the position to play in the second unit with Andre Iguodala.
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) October 27, 2014
Kerr was looking to see how Barbosa and Iguodala would play with one another, and they looked good.
Steve Kerr has said that according to what he’s seen, Andre Iguodala has 19 assists and 0 turnovers playing alongside Leandro Barbosa.
— Diamond Leung (@diamond83) October 26, 2014
Iguodala has been a professional about the whole ordeal, but Barbosa has made it clear that he’s excited to play with the All-Star. With Iguodala on the bench, the Warriors now have a potent second unit, which is what they desperately needed last season. If Kerr’s decision doesn’t work out, he has the entire season to make any necessary adjustments.