Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala provide Warriors steady influence

Andre Iguodala Drops a Ridiculous And-1 Circus Layup
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Andre Iguodala (9) dunks in the first half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104-89.

First question for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr after Thursdays NBA Finals Game 1:

Steve, will Stephen Curry start next game?

OK, I wimped out, didnt ask that question. Just because a few Oracle fans were chanting MVP! MVP! when Shaun Livingston stepped to the free-throw line late in the game doesnt mean Livingston will bump Curry, who scored 11 points and had five turnovers.

But however many minutes Livingston and fellow fogy Andre Iguodala log in Sundays Game 2, it will be that many too many, in the eyes of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Livingston scored 20 points in 26-plus minutes, on 8-for-10 shooting, mostly on those Inspector Gadget Extendo-Arm jump shots. Livingston is all that stands between the mid-range jump shot and extinction. Next hes planning to bring back teensy shorts, bubble Afros and the boom box.

Iguodala scored 12 including two three-pointers and had seven rebounds and six assists, in just less than 36 minutes. And zero turnovers. Much more important, he helped frustrate that LeBron James guy, who has a bunch of 40-point games in his pocket but could chip in only 23 Thursday.

Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle

Golden State Warriors" Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston defend against Cleveland Cavaliers" Channing Frye in 4th quarter of Warriors" 104-89 win in Game 1 of NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 2, 2016. less Golden State Warriors" Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston defend against Cleveland Cavaliers" Channing Frye in 4th quarter of Warriors" 104-89 win in Game 1 of NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on ... more Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Shaun Livingston (34) steals the ball from Mo Williams (52) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104-89. less Shaun Livingston (34) steals the ball from Mo Williams (52) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Shaun LIvingston (34) shoots over Kevin Love (0) and Richard Jefferson (24) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104-89. less Shaun LIvingston (34) shoots over Kevin Love (0) and Richard Jefferson (24) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Kevin Love (0) runs up against Andre Iguodala (9) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June 2, 2016. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 104-89. less Kevin Love (0) runs up against Andre Iguodala (9) in the second half as the Golden State Warriors played the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, June ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Warriors" Andre Iguodala, fires up the crowd after a three point shot in the fourth quarter, as the Golden State Warriors went on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1of the NBA Championship 104-89 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Thurs. June 3, 2016. less Warriors" Andre Iguodala, fires up the crowd after a three point shot in the fourth quarter, as the Golden State Warriors went on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in game 1of the NBA Championship 104-89 at ... more Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala provide Warriors steady influence

The most successful move James made all night was scurrying off the court and into the exit tunnel after the final horn, before the yellow confetti dropped from the rafters. If youre sweaty, that stuff will stick to you like dinosaur dandruff.

Cleveland hates Iguodala, who shredded the Cavs last year in the Finals. He cost that city a shot at its first pro sports championship since 1964, and now hes pulling the same stuff. Beyond annoying. He is to Cleveland what Godzilla is to Tokyo, but with better manners.

Cleveland must have cheered en masse in the third quarter when backup guard Matthew Dellavedova raced up behind Iguodala, reached around and karate-chopped Iguodala right there, with relish. Iguodala clearly took exception, but kept his cool.

Where did he hit you?

Um, Iguodala said, where most men wouldnt want to be hit. ... Im not going to judge (intent) or say anything negative about him. Hes out there competing. Theres a lot of emotions going out there.

I respect a lot of guys hustle in this league, and youve got guys whove got to get a little dirty, a little physical, to make a life, and to feed your family, so I can only respect that. For me, its just keep my composure, continue to try to do things for my team to help us win.

Iguodala explained his emotional role on the Warriors.

I normally try to keep an even coolness about myself, he said. Not just for me, but for the team as well. We can kind of get giddy out there and lose a little bit, so I try to get us back to that even balance, and thats pretty much been my role on this team.

Iguodala and Livingston could rent themselves out as chaperones at high school dances. Sure, they look like theyre half-asleep, but dont even try to sneak that flask of hooch into the boys room. Iguodala will reach out like a cobra and strip that sucker out of your hands. Ask Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James. The strip is more embarrassing than a block, and Iguodala has mastered the felonious art.

Iguodala and Livingston know their work here isnt done. James has to be a boiling volcano, and impish Dellavedova, the only NBA player on the All-Madden Team, hasnt even dug into his bag of tricks.

A quick glance at YouTube videos showed a couple of instances of Dellavedova riding Iguodala like a rodeo bronc, and then diving at his knees.

Livingston, meanwhile, continues to be the worlds best insurance policy. When Curry was injured twice against Houston in the first round of these playoffs, dooming the Warriors chances of advancing, who stepped into the starting lineup?

Livingston played beautifully, averaging double-figure points, defending his position, running the break, running the offense. His cool confidence allowed the Warriors to not panic, bought more time for Curry to heal without having to hurry back. Steadied the ship.

Now, when Curry takes a night off, figuratively speaking, Livingston is there. When Curry is in MVP form, Livingston is there to complement him and to spell him without the Warriors falling apart.

Livingston and Iguodala do stuff that cant be easily explained. How is it that the Warriors signature fastbreak is at its best when the two old guys are leading it?

On Thursday, Livingston and Iguodala or, as much of America calls them, Whooo? saved the Warriors, on a night when all the pre-series expert analysis and predictions were shredded like confetti.

Scott Ostler is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: sostler@sfchronicle.com Twitter: scottostler

Source: http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/ostler/article/Livingston-Iguodala-provide-Warriors-a-steady-7960903.php