SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The irony of Andre Iguodala's Friday arrival to the Miami Heat is that coach Erik Spoelstra appears to have a better immediate sense of where the partnership is headed than the championship forward.
"Andre obviously bringing championship pedigree," Spoelstra said, "somebody who has played in so many big moments, that we really thought he would be a tremendous fit around what we have right now _ the young players, to be able to add to the veteran leadership like Jimmy (Butler) and UD (Udonis Haslem) and Goran (Dragic).
"That championship experience is invaluable, you can't put a price on it."
Yet having been away from the game since being dealt in the offseason from the Golden State Warriors, Iguodala, 36, put the brakes on instant expectation, a definitive date yet to be set for his Heat debut.
"I think it's just about getting some reps up and then seeing where I'm at," he said after the morning shootaround at the Golden1 Center, where the Heat were preparing for Friday night's game against the Sacramento Kings.
"I'm sure I can get out there right now. But I want to be in the position where I'm not being a hindrance. I want to be a plus and a positive every step of the way _ just getting in line with everything that's going on and the verbiage and the schemes and everything that the team is trying to do, picking up on it."
He joked that he stayed attached to the game through the fandom of his 12-year-old son.
"So it's easier to keep up with sports with a kid that age and (know) everybody's name, watching highlights with him all the time," he said. "So I know the team, know the guys really well."
That included taking in highlights of the high-wire act that is Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr., a contrast to the 3-point shooters he operated alongside with the Warriors during that run to three NBA championships.
"I haven't thrown a lob in a while," Iguodala joked. "I had Jordan Bell, but this is a different level with this guy. I want to make plays all over the court, inside and outside _ being able to show different facets of my game, whether it be catching and shooting or creating for guys or causing havoc on the defensive end.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity of showing off all the facets of my game."
In the end, Bam Adebayo, Dragic and Butler, who currently is out with a shoulder injury, stood as the lures to commit not only for this season, but for two more, with the third year on his agreement a Heat option.
"They're a dynamic team, and obviously they have some great shooters and some great young guys that can shoot the ball and defend well, and Bam who is a very cerebral player," Iguodala said. "He kind of takes you by surprise. He has a very high-level basketball IQ. He can pass the ball and a great finisher at the basket."
As for Butler, Iguodala smiled as he spoke.
"You're talking about one of the best players in the league and one of the best offensive and defensive guys at that position," he said. "We have some good guys that bring a good mix of youth and can help raise the level of play. It's an exciting opportunity."
In one area, Iguodala arrived Heat ready.
"I know there's that perception around the league about how Miami runs their ship," he said. "I feel like I fit in really well with that. The body fat and the weight thing, today my body fat was right where it needs to be, and I'm ready to go."
