Andre Iguodala is now on his way to his sixth consecutive NBA Finals appearance after his Miami Heat defeated the Boston Celtics in a series-clinching Game 6 victory on Sunday. Prior to this season, the veteran forward helped the Golden State Warriors to five straight Finals, and naturally, Iguodala was asked to compare the differences and similarities between the Heat and the Warriors.

The former Finals MVP refused to get into it, and he had a lengthy explanation as to why this was the case for him:

“Yeah, but I hate comparing them. I don’t think it’s really fair to either one of them, so I try not to compare them. I think it’s totally different,” Iguodala said, via Sam Amick of The Athletic. “But you’ve got to look at (Heat president) Pat Riley. Pat Riley is the head of the snake, the foundation, or however you want to put it. And he’s really the one who has seen it since the mid-80s, and he has his philosophies that he’s kept in place throughout that time. And over the course of time, he’s evolved — whether it’s technology or whatever nuances are put into the game or how the rules are changed. But his principles are still there. They’re different in their own rights, but you see the value in both of them.”

Andre Iguodala was clearly singing the praises of team president Pat Riley, who certainly deserves a ton of credit for all that he's done for this franchise. Then again, the Warriors also have a top-notch front office running that franchise, led by general manager and team president Bob Myers.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Giannis Antetokounmpo photoshopped in Heat jersey. Number 34.
Heat trade proposal for Giannis Antetokounmpo in offseason after trade report
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots the basketball over Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (11) and guard Tyler Herro (14) during the second quarter at Kaseya Center.
Did Heat hint at possible Kevin Durant trade pursuit on social media?

Simply put, Iguodala holds both franchises in high regard, and he's obviously not going to pick one over the other.

“It’s just that you can take two different roads to success. At the end of the day, the principles are still the same,” he added. “It’s just different ways of taking that talent to the next level, and both have had success in the ways that they’ve gone about it. There’s a deep appreciation for both.”

Iguodala's stint with the Warriors feels like a lifetime away now. His focus (and loyalty) current lies with the Heat, and he will do everything in his power to help his team as they face off against a powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers side in the Finals.