Andre Iguodala has been one of the pillars in Golden State's temple of success since coming to the Warriors in 2013. His value as a Swiss army knife has only increased every season, providing the second unit with whatever is needed — scoring, playmaking, rebounding, or a hound-like defensive intensity that few others can match.

But despite his importance on the team and his evident veteran leadership on and off the court, the 33-year-old is taking none of it — no matter how much assistant head coach Mike Brown praised him for being a sounding board when he needed it the most during an 11-0 stretch in last year's playoff run.

“That's why he got fired in Cleveland and LA, ‘cuz no one can trust him,” Iguodala joked, saying so matter-of-factly, according to Janie McCauley of The Associated Press. “I didn't ever say nothing to him, no. We never had any conversations.”

In somewhat of a confusing tone, Iguodala revealed his leadership entails doing the work it takes without wanting any of the credit for it.

“We had a sermon in chapel today, earlier before the game, and it was talking about integrity. You can be honest but don't have integrity, but what does it mean to be a leader?” Iguodala said. “We were just saying you lead by example, without wanting any credit for it. So I don't want no credit for it.”

“True story. But as a true leader, I can't even say those words. I'm not allowed to even say that. I can't say I'm a leader. I gotta say I try to do what's best for the team.”

Iguodala was perhaps the lone player that started this culture of sacrifice, giving up his spot as a starter only a year after agreeing to a four-year, $48 million deal with the Warriors for a better-suited bench role; as new coach Steve Kerr asked that initial sacrifice of him.

“Then trade me,” Iguodala said, before saying a minute later: “Ha! Got eeeeem! Y'all know I'm playing.”

Two championships and a Finals MVP award later, Kerr noted Iguodala could have easily been the lead-by-example individual that sparked the financial sacrifices made by the players, which has been followed by splitting minutes, different roles within the team, among others.

“It doesn't surprise me. That's who Andre is,” Kerr said. “Andre's one of our captains. He's one of our true leaders. He brings it every day in practice, he's one of the smartest players I've been around. He's the guy who made the initial sacrifice in terms of coming off the bench. Andre, he's irreplaceable for what he brings to us in so many different ways.”

Iguodala was rewarded earlier this offseason with a three-year, $48 million deal for his sacrifices, which should keep him in the Bay Area until the end of the 2019-20 season.