CLEVELAND — So when is “questionable” actually a cause for optimism?
When it involves Andre Iguodala and his return to the Warriors.
“He’s doing better. He played [Monday] some one-on-one, did some full-court drills. He told me he’s feeling better. So I would upgrade him to questionable,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday before Iguodala practiced in preparation for the NBA Finals Game 3 on Wednesday. “He’s getting closer, and I’m hopeful that he can play. If not [Wednesday], then in Game 4. But, again, it’s day-to-day.”
Iguodala, who has drawn a lot of time defending LeBron James in the past with positive results, has missed six games with a bruised left leg. He sat the last four games of the Western Conference finals against Houston and missed the first two games of the Finals as the Warriors grabbed a 2-0 lead. But he practiced Tuesday and stayed after to get up some additional shots.
“Another guy with veteran experience that can do multiple things; that can pass; that can rebound, dribble, can shoot the ball. Just smart. Just knows how to play the game of basketball, especially the Warrior way of playing basketball,” Kevin Durant said. “He kind of settles us down a little bit.”
It was a mutual toughness admiration society between Warriors teammates Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. After Thompson played despite a sore, swollen and stiff sprained ankle in Game 2, Green called him “one of the toughest guys if not the toughest guy I’ve ever played with.”
Thompson was impressed.
“You see how tough he is. Not only physically, but mentally, he’s one of the toughest around and he doesn’t take any flak from anybody so that gives me confidence to be myself,” Thompson said. “And the fact that Draymond sees me that way means a lot.”
Referring to LeBron James’ leadership, Tristan Thompson said he might not be one of a kind — there are two at the top.
“He puts guys in position to be great. He’s a helluva leader. Probably him and Steve Nash are the two best at it,” Thompson said.
And Thompson was asked about one other point regarding James: What’s going to happen this summer in free agency? Thompson said he has other things on his mind. Like the Finals.
“What’s on my mind is getting my body, mind and focus ready for Game 3,” Thompson said. “We’ve had a great run together. That’s always going to be my brother regardless so I’m going to go to war with him and go battle with him in Game 3. … If the Finals Game 3 is not on your mind, you’re in the wrong place. That’s where everyone’s mind should be right now.”
And that’s where James’ mind is, of course.
“We look forward to the challenge. It’s a very tall task. A very tough challenge, as I mentioned before the series even started, going against these guys, going against this team,” James said. “But we have an opportunity to seize the opportunity. So I look forward to that.”
