Iguodala's memoir is not a recitation of important games through his career, but rather the tale of the people and events that challenged and shaped him along the way. From his strong upbringing in Springfield, Ill., guided by his mother and grandmother, to the teachers, coaches, teammates and systems that honed him, Iguodala imparts insight and wisdom in a conversational yet expert style suffused with confidence and heart ... Iguodala's story is a compelling and important one that provides a glimpse into what people of color face, from little boys to the height of stardom, in a country 'designed to wreak absolute havoc on the confidence of black people.'
... [a] candid new memoir ... The Sixth Man...is a deeply personal look at Iguodala’s life growing up in Springfield, Ill., with his single mother and brother, who he says taught him how to be a defender early on. In reflective, conversational prose, Iguodala recounts his early awareness of segregation and racism, the strength and influence of the strong women in his life (and later, coaches), and his gradual realization of how to best harness his intelligence, ambition and drive. The book is filled with anecdotes about players Iguodala idolized—and would later play against—as well as the turning points in his professional basketball career, including being drafted at 19 while still a student at the University of Arizona ... but it’s his stint with the Warriors that will naturally draw the most interest. Iguodala is honest about team culture; how the Warriors’ ascendance to champion status turned the media 'sideshow' into a 'circus;' combating the physical pressure on his body; dealing with hostile fans and officials—but also the joy in playing with a top-notch team.
There’s plenty here about basketball, but the authors move well beyond the scores, hoops, and on-court drama that fill nearly all the pages of similar books. Iguodala is always focused on the relationships and motivations of his teammates and opponents. That insight, he shows, helps him bond with his teammates and defeat his opponents. This is a very special book—a sports memoir for the ages.
