Andre Iguodala is a former NBA All-Star, an NBA champion and an NBA Finals MVP. But in Game 7 of the Finals last year, unfortunately, he became something else to NBA fans, forever. He became the guy on the receiving end of "The Block."

So it would be pretty easy for Iguodala to be bitter about that play, or dismissive. He's a proud guy, proud of his accomplishments in the league, proud of his standing, proud of the championship he won with the team in 2015. It would be natural for him to try and deflect or tear down the play. But that's not his approach. From ESPN:

"I'm like, 'Man, that s--- was so dope to me, too.' I was a fan. That s--- was amazing. When he blocked it, I was like, 'Damn, somebody got shot.' I thought it was funny. Somebody just made a good play. What you want me to do? If you enjoy the game of basketball, you should just be like, 'Dude made a great play. F--- it.'"

"People don't realize, somebody just made a great play. There's nothing to change about somebody making a great play because I even thought I could have went off to the other side [of the rim], but [LeBron] was so high over the rim, he would have had both sides covered. I mean, I wouldn't have changed anything about it. If somebody just makes a great play, you just give them respect for making a great play."

Source: Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala calls Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James' NBA Finals block 'a great play'.

Iguodala also astutely noted that J.R. Smith's interfering swipe of the ball forced it into Iguodala's right, which is what allowed James to catch him, otherwise Iguodala would have dunked it. James himself has credited Smith with that play. But the overall point here is better.

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Andre Iguodala knows how great "The Block" was. ABC/ESPN

Iguodala knows the game, and the monumental importance of that moment. He didn't make a mistake, he wasn't clowned, he didn't fail. James just made the best defensive play in Finals history, rearranging his combative legacy into something wholly different, and Iguodala happened to be the guy going for that layup.

Good on Iguodala for recognizing the real, and valuing the competition. And he's right, it doesn't take anything away from how great his own career has been.