NBA: 8 players to surprise in the playoffs

Apr 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports /

Andre Iguodala. 3. player. 41. . G. Golden State Warriors

Andre Iguodala will be the NBA Sixth Man of the Playoffs.

The notion that Iggy would be the most valuable bench player in the playoffs isn’t exactly outlandish. He has been a frontrunner for the season-end award along with the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, the Clippers’ Jamal Crawford and the Bulls’ Taj Gibson. Andre Iguodala has emerged in his role off the bench for the Warriors after struggling in the starting lineup just a season ago, shooting a good percentage and providing an explosive spark while maintaining the ability to lead bench units.

Where Iguodala’s impact will be felt the most is in his defense. He is one of the most important non-big defenders in the NBA, and his chippy perimeter defense will help cut down on the outside shooting necessary to keep up with the Warriors offense. It is no coincidence that teams improve drastically on defense when they add Andre Iguodala, and the Warriors have excellent defensive cohesion when Iggy is on the floor, generating turnovers and limiting possessions.

The Warriors should not have any trouble whatsoever in the first round against the New Orleans Pelicans. They have cruised to the best record in the NBA for a reason; their absurd shooting lead by MVP candidate Stephen Curry and fellow Brother Splash Klay Thompson has been underscored by a tenacious defense spearheaded by woolly-booger center Andrew Bogut and human pyrotechnic device Draymond Green. The Dubs routinely run opponents out of the building, leaving the other bench in a foggy haze of confusion and regret.

The Pelicans will fare no better. While Anthony Davis will make his impact on the series, the rest of the team lacks the depth to compete in the battle of offensive attrition that the Warriors are equipped to unleash on New Orleans.

Basically, the Warriors may not actually need the production of Iguodala to succeed in the playoffs and win the Finals. With Iguodala firing on all cylinders, The Warriors will be impossible to beat in the playoffs this year.

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