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NBA Finals: Key questions and predictions for Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat

By Daniel Lubofsky

MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers guards Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on December 13, 2019 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

NBA Finals Question No. 2: What role will Andre Iguodala have?

The Heat haven’t exactly been starving for the services of Andre Iguodala since acquiring him back in February. Such is one of the luxuries of a deep roster that allows Spoelstra to give his prized deadline acquisition just 19.4 minutes per game during these playoffs, down from 30.0 during Iguodala’s final postseason with the Golden State Warriors.

It’s hard to conclude that Miami has been purposely saving Iguodala for a moment that was never guaranteed. That doesn’t make it any less resourceful to have the 36-year-old as fresh as he’ll be heading into these Finals, even after sitting out most of the regular season and the fourth-month hiatus after landing in South Beach.

Iguodala is one of two members of Miami’s roster with Finals experience (Udonis Haslem), making his sixth consecutive trip in 2020. His IQ and unselfishness have shined in the moments that await and fit right into the flow of an offense that ranks No. 1 in passes per game during these playoffs.

His longevity means he is no longer capable of guarding LeBron full-time. Teammates like Butler and Crowder ensure he won’t ever have to. Instead, Iguodala will be among a shortlist Spoelstra rotates through to keep James guessing, where four straight Finals run-ins should come in handy, even in limited minutes.

Miami acquired Iguodala to provide further reinforcements for the looming playoff run, only to watch as Crowder became the headliner of that deal with scorching outside shooting. Having now returned to the element he’s grown accustomed to this past half-decade, everything is in place for the former Finals MVP to put the Heat over the top.

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