Kevin Durant’s 38 points on Saturday during the semifinals of the FIBA World Championships has gotten a lot of attention (and rightfully so), however it was another individual performance that helped Team USA get to the finals against Turkey.  That performance was Andre Iguodala on the defensive end.  Iguodala’s main responsibility was to cover Linas Kleiza, Lithuania’s leading scorer.  In the seven games before the semi-finals Kleiza was averaging 19.14 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 54.6% from the field (60.8% on 2s and 34.7% on 3s).  Iguodala was able to hold Kleiza to just 4 points (on 1/11 shooting – 0/4 from 3) and 5 rebounds.

Iguodala has a combination of speed and strength that Kleiza probably hasn’t seen during this tournament.  Iguodala was able to use these skills (especially his quick hands) to really bother Kleiza, especially in the post.

It seemed that Lithuania tried to get it into Kleiza in the post early, hoping that his size advantage over Iguodala would allow him to get some easy looks in the paint.  Iguodala was up to the challenge, and for him it was all about quick hand in the post:

Andre Iguodala Steal

Another key to Iguodala’s post defense was preventing Kleiza from getting good position in the post.  In the clip above Kleiza wants to make the catch on the block, but Iguodala is able to push him out an extra five feet or so.  This forces Kleiza to take a couple extra dribbles, and when he turns for the jumper, Iguodala is able to time the strip.

Andre Iguodala Second Steal

The above clip is where Iguodala’s hand speed really stands out.  On the repost, Iguodala gets caught out of position, overplaying Kleiza over the top and giving away the baseline.  Iguodala is able to quickly recover, and when Kleiza pulls up for the jumper, Iguodala slaps the ball away again.

It wasn’t just Iguodala’s post defense that was impressive.  He was able to chase Kleiza around screens, and challenge every shot, forcing Kleiza into some really tough looks:

Iguodala Challenges Shot

Here, the Lithuanian team is trying to set up a screen the screener type of play where Kleiza sets a screen and then gets a screen set for him, trying to free him up on the top of the key.  However, the play gets blown up because Iguodala is able to stay attached to Kleiza and fight through the screen.  Kleiza is forced to take a few dribbles and then jack up a three, with Iguodala getting a hand up.  Kleiza doesn’t even draw iron.

Iguodala Closes Out

In the above clip, Kleiza gets a downscreen set for him, and Iguodala is able to use his speed to get around it and close out on Kleiza, not allowing him to get a shot off.  The close out is important here, Iguodala doesn’t come at Kleiza out of control, just flying by him.  No, he stays under control and stays in front of him, and this is what allows him to get a hand on the basketball and force the steal.

Iguodala Closes Out 2

On this challenged shot, Iguodala relies on his athleticism.  When Kleiza makes the catch, he initially looks like he has an open look.  However, Iguodala jumps up and gets his hand up in the air, bothering the shot and forcing the miss.

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In the end, you could tell that Andre Iguodala’s unique combination of strength, speed, and athletic ability really bothered Kleiza.  He tried to take Iguodala in the post and use his size advantage to get some easy looks, but Iguodala was able to knock the ball away on multiple occasions.  On the outside, he wasn’t able to get a clean look either, because Iguodala was able to fight through screens and close out under control.