Andre Iguodala

Andre Iguodala says he didn’t feel LeBron James’ below-the-belt kick in Game 3

Published Jun. 8, 2017 5:56 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

Andre Iguodala’s contributions in the Golden State Warriors’ 3-0 Finals lead have gotten lost in all the hoopla surrounding the standout performances by Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry. The Warriors’ first two victories lacked many dramatic moments, but with Game 3’s outcome far from decided, Iguodala stripped LeBron James as he attempted a potential tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left.

The block sealed Golden State’s 118-113 win, but Iguodala paid the price for his timely defense. As Iguodala blocked James’ shot, the Cavaliers star kicked his right leg out and hit the Warriors' veteran forward in the groin. The incident was reminiscent of the numerous times his teammate Draymond Green has kicked players in the same region in an attempt to accentuate contact by a defender.

So was a blow by James in that all-too sensitive region as excruciating as it sounds?

“You know what’s crazy? I did not feel it,” Iguodala told ESPN. “When I look back at it, I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know this happened.’ Somebody told me about it. I didn’t know what happened, but I’m not going to be the one to say someone should not play, because you want everybody to be at full strength, right?"

It was enough of a blow that his former teammate Marreese Speights jokingly showed concern about Iguodala’s ability to have children going forward.

https://twitter.com/Mospeights16/status/872820915863773184

Iguodala said players kick their legs out all the time during a game and doesn’t understand why it’s become a big deal.

“What they say, Draymond did it how many times last year? ... Throughout the whole season last year? They did a mix tape. It was like 100 [times]. Guys don’t even notice it,” Iguodala said. “So when it happens, guys are like [nothing]. Especially in that moment, adrenaline is flowing.”

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Andre Iguodala

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