Andre Iguodala, the NBA Finals' MVP, is saying that "God is great" after his Golden State Warriors won this year's NBA championship, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games to bring home the coveted title for the first time in 40 years.
During the post-game interview after Tuesday night's title-clinching Game 6, Iguodala said they won because their team is "full of believers."
He thanked God for his team's historic NBA championship, saying it's "unreal" how they managed to do it.
As a team, the Golden State Warriors have bonded over their faith in God, and Iguodala said they found their purpose through Him.
"We got a team full of believers. We all go to chapel before every game. We all believe and we all say God has a way for you—a purpose for you. This is my purpose," he said.
Earlier, Iguodala told the Christian Messenger that his Christian faith helps keep him grounded in life, and he hopes that it reflects even when he plays basketball.
"It keeps me focused," he said. "When people see us on the court, we want them to see God's work. We want to be a good representation of what we believe in. When you go out there, you're not just representing your country or the NBA, you're representing your beliefs. You want to play hard for Someone who died for you."
Iguodala also commended his teammate point guard Stephen Curry not just for his basketball prowess but also for his unwavering faith in God. "I want to be just like Steph when I grow up—just a God fearing man, great guy," he said.
When Curry was given the MVP award this May, he said the honour would not have been possible without God.
"Sometimes people make it seem like you have to have certain prerequisites or a crazy life story in order to be successful in this world. But the truth is you really don't," he said. "It doesn't matter where you come from, what you have or don't have, what you lack or what you have too much of. But all you need to have is faith in God, an undying passion for what you do and what you choose to do in this life, and a relentless drive and the will to do whatever it takes to be successful in whatever you put your mind to."
