Andrew Wiggins is playing about as well as anyone could have expected for the Golden State Warriors.
Averaging 23.0 points, 4.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.7 blocks per game in his first three contests with his new club, all while shooting 57.5 percent from the field, 53.3 percent from three and 71.4 percent on free-throws (on 7.0 attempts per game), the oft-criticized for underwhelming and underachieving as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been an ideal fit at small forward for the Warriors.
It’s not just his physical tools — the length, size and athleticism — but it’s the way he plays.
A slasher who glides to the rim and finishes in traffic with a deft touch. Who can spot-up and knock down and open three-point shot (he’s shooting 37.0 percent on catch-and-shoot threes this season, per NBA Advanced Stats).
As an increasingly willing passer.
Just picturing him beside Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson and the space they’ll open up on driving lanes with their gravity, along with the one-on-one opportunities that’ll be provided to him, you can see how much more effective and efficient he’ll be. How much the Warriors can accomplish if Wiggins keeps up this level of play (and effort).
Wiggins, well-aware of the criticisms levied at him, considers it “a blessing” to be with Golden State in the “new chapter” of his life.
Per NBC Sports’s Logan Murdock:
“Any time you enter a new chapter in life, you want to do better,” Wiggins said following the defeat. “You never want to go back to how stuff was before. This is a blessing.”
Wiggins would discuss the appeal of playing for the Warriors in greater detail, noting the difference between the ball and player movement of Golden State’s system compared to that of Minnesota.
“It’s been great… I feel like I’ve been adapting pretty well and guys have been helping me. But you get easier baskets like this. Basketball is fun, everyone is looking out for each other, unselfishly and everyone is trying to get each other open. So it’s a great feeling.”
He even defends the opposing team’s best wing players, whether it’s LeBron James, Jimmy Butler or Devin Booker. The Timberwolves, after acquiring forwards Robert Covington and Jimmy Butler in recent years, didn’t provide Wiggins with that challenge.
The former Rookie of the Year appreciates it. More than that, really.
“It’s a great challenge and it’s only going to make me better… Guarding the best guys in the league and seeing their tendencies. It’s only going to make me better so I love it.”
Wiggins has five steals in his Warriors debut and four blocks against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
The Warriors have, so far, made the right decision. He and the team’s progress will be closely monitored for the rest of the season, especially when Curry returns. However, early returns on their trade deadline blockbuster deal have been nothing but positive for Golden State and that makes them scarier than ever when considering the impending returns of Curry and Thompson, along with their potential top-three lottery pick.