It took Andrew Wiggins less than nine weeks to shed eight years of excess weight. Some might call him a miracle.
Wiggins used a remarkable 2022 postseason, capped off by the Warriors winning the NBA Finals, to those who believed they were destined for a long career under the weight of a label nobody wanted. I think it’s a belated but powerful answer.
overpaid minors.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Wiggins told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I don’t think the people who played with me or were around me cared at all.
“But when someone in the media puts something out there, other people do it. You can go out and defend yourself, but I’m not really into that. Play it and let people talk.”
Wiggins has played in chatter since joining the NBA in 2014. Volume increased when the Minnesota Timberwolves signed him to a five-year, up to $148 million deal in 2017. The noise was louder than ever when the Warriors acquired him in February 2020. Jonathan Cuminga from Minnesota in exchange for D’Angelo Russell and a future first-round draft pick.
The Warriors were happy the moment the trade was completed, but the NBA world mostly shrugged, but the decision was already made. Wiggins was an NBA All-Star with the #1 overall draft pick, he spent seven seasons without an invitation to his games.
And when he finally accepted that invitation and voted out last season, it was met with widespread negative feedback.
If Wiggins receives an invitation to his ninth All-Star Game this season, it could be traced back to 61 days from April 16 to June 16, and he and the Warriors will be among the Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies and Dallas Mavericks. and the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals.
Wiggins’ performance has caused people to talk, but past derogatory comments have given way to flattery. That was certainly true of the Boston game.
“I feel like the perception of me has changed,” Wiggins said. “I didn’t play defensively. I didn’t play hard. Things like that. It was really nice to perform at that level in front of everyone.”
In the postseason, Wiggins did what the best players, the so-called “money” players, do. As the stakes got higher, he became more productive.
He averaged 14.0 points (52.9% shooting from the field) and 6.8 rebounds in five first-round games against Denver, 15.0 (46.7%) and 7.0 in the Conference Semifinals against Memphis, and 18.6 (46.2%) in the Western Conference Finals. ) and scored 7.2. Against Dallas he was 18.3 (44.6%) and in the Finals he was 8.8.
In addition to scoring and rebounding, Wiggins was also given such a difficult task Defensive duties as Luka Doncic And Jason Tatum.
Wiggins admits playing for the Timberwolves might have something to do with the reputation he brought to the Bay Area. A generally mediocre franchise, Wiggins had some brilliant moments but barely lived up to his potential.
Coming to the Warriors gave him a fresh start while putting him in an environment that demanded more of what he always believed.
“That’s a big part of it,” he said. “I think players who work hard and are with a great organization will help you to be successful. It goes both ways, but my game is definitely around these guys. Helpful. I learned a lot.
“If you win, all will be well,” he said. “But when you lose, everyone will criticize you for saying nonsense.”
Wiggins, who could become an unrestricted free agent next summer, has consistently said his preference is to stay with the Warriors. The 27-year-old veteran sits between his core of team veterans and the young hopefuls of the future, so there is mutual interest.
“I feel like this is where I can perfect my game,” he said.
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Last season put Wiggins in a very good place, but he wants more. Becoming a better playmaker, a more efficient finisher at the rim, slumped to a career-low 64.3% last season. Improving his foul shooting is to get back to his career average of 73%.
“I want to be an All-Star again,” he said. “I want to win again. And the All-Defensive He wants to be part of the team.
Wiggins is happy to have shed the old label that stuck to him like a lead collar. It disappeared in June of last year, allowing us to enjoy the brightest off-season yet.
“You can definitely feel the difference, 100%,” he said of his greeting. “Random people are more positive, more supportive. They had more to say.”
yes. It’s the epitome of weight loss. Even when you can’t see it.
