Iguodala shuts down notion of racial shots taken at Kerr

Andre Iguodala defused a bomb on Monday. But it was a bomb that he built to begin with.

After practice on Monday afternoon, Iguodala addressed the media to shut down what many believed to be racially-charged shots fired directly at head coach Steve Kerr after a 103-102 loss in Minnesota.

The statements came after Iguodala was notified that Kerr was planning on sitting him in addition to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green for the following game in San Antonio. It was the second game of a back-to-back series for the Warriors.

Iguodala said:

“Oh we’re taking tomorrow off? … (I had) no idea. Do what master say.”

On Monday however, Iguodala made it clear it was not his intention to attack Kerr by comparing him to a slave owner:

“I have a great relationship with Steve Kerr, and he knows that. … He spoke to you guys about that, but some may not believe him. But he and I are in a great place. We don’t even have to speak about it because he knows that in no way, shape or form would I talk about him.”

On Sunday, Kerr attempted to calm the assumed connotation of the comments:

“You guys just got ‘Andre’d.’”

But many believed there were motives and intentions behind Iguodala’s racy quotes.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith appeared on SportsCenter Sunday and said he believes the initial comments from Iguodala came from frustration, but were undoubtedly directed at Kerr:

“Regardless of what he says, I think it’s clear he was taking a shot at Steve Kerr. Regardless of how much he moonwalked and backtracked.”

Iguodala has since been fined $10,000 by the NBA for his remarks, but that seem to be the only repercussions for his actions.

Back at home for 11 of their remaining 16 games, the skidding Warriors (52-14) have a chance to get back on track. Especially since Iguodala’s bomb has been defused in-house, at least in their eyes.