Golden State Warriors: 5 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35, left) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 7, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) passes as Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) defends during the fourth quarter in game three of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Iguodala flashback, and redemption

In my Game 2 takeaways, I discussed Curry’s search for redemption. Perhaps the pre-switch to avoid defending Irving’s right-wing step-back three is that search translating to the defensive end, although that’s a stretch.

It’s less of a reach to apply the mental liberation narrative to Iguodala’s game-sealing strip of James. After falling victim to the greatest chase-down block in NBA history last June, Iguodala reversed the roles with 12 seconds to go in Game 3. James tried to rise up for a game-tying three, and Iguodala blocked him on the way up. Just as James is the master of the chase-down, so is Iguodala of that particular type of swipe.

It came shortly after James swatted Iguodala again from behind at the rim. What could have been a nightmare relived became a demon vanquished.

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