© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Andre Iguodala missed six consecutive games from Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals to Game 2 of the NBA Finals. His ‘day-to-day’ leg contusion would have infuriated many players, but the 34-year-old took the injury for what it was and tried not to worry.
“I learned a lot about myself,” Iguodala told KNBR’s Tolbert & Lund Thursday evening. “I learned a lot through that process. Basically, you can only control what you can control. If you can’t play, why kid yourself or harp over why you are not out there.”
So, Iguodala picked up a new hobby: reading. With all the down time, the Warriors forward said reading “was good for the soul.” He said he read mostly during flights and at hotels during road trips.
He started by reading Alexander Hamilton’s biography, which might be the longest book he has ever read. He loved it.
“That’s so much better than the play,” Iguodala said. “So much better than the play.”
He is currently reading Black Fortunes, which narrates the stories of six pioneering African-Americans who became millionaires. On Wednesday, he started Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, and the Anatomy of Intrigue.
Reading must run in the family. His wife, Christina Gutierrez, reads about one book per week. And his son, Andre Jr., is a speed reader, according to Iguodala.
“I am trying to keep up with him,” Iguodala said.
Iguodala was sidelined as the Warriors faced elimination, trailing 3-2 in the Western Conference Finals. He returned for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, made typical clutch defensive plays, and hit open three-point shots as the Warriors cruised to a third NBA Championship in four seasons.
Iguodala has since spent his offseason golfing, one of his most ardent passions. He says it has been difficult to read at home, but he will find time as he currently treks through two different books.
“I haven’t done that much reading in a while,” Iguodala said.
Listen to the Tolbert & Lund podcast below. For Iguodala on reading, skip to the 6:10 mark.
