The Andrew Wiggins Thread

[Crazy-Canuck]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nba-haters-ball/

I knew it sounded wrong when Jim Pete said Wiggins was an "excellent defender" in the latest Jon Krawczynski podcast, but damn. He's really gotta ratchet that D up 3 or 4 levels.

The same group of people that think Andrew Wiggins' ceiling is James Posey, looks like they are at it again.

They totally ignore context and rely solely on stats. Its one thing to give up those types of numbers against the lebrons and kawhi's of the league, its another when you are giving them up to the bench player.

He had a big workload on offense as well as having to guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team. He got thrust into the fire and it didnt go as smoothly as anyone had hoped.

Yes, his defense isnt good right now.
But, he isnt even the worse defensive player on his own team.

[Takingbaconback]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nba-haters-ball/

I knew it sounded wrong when Jim Pete said Wiggins was an "excellent defender" in the latest Jon Krawczynski podcast, but damn. He's really gotta ratchet that D up 3 or 4 levels.

The same group of people that think Andrew Wiggins' ceiling is James Posey, looks like they are at it again.

They totally ignore context and rely solely on stats. Its one thing to give up those types of numbers against the lebrons and kawhi's of the league, its another when you are giving them up to the bench player.

He had a big workload on offense as well as having to guard the best perimeter player on the opposing team. He got thrust into the fire and it didnt go as smoothly as anyone had hoped.

Yes, his defense isnt good right now.
But, he isnt even the worse defensive player on his own team.

And the video they made about his defense is filled with defensive breakdowns and rebounding miscues where he is running to the 3 point line trying to contest a wide open 3. At least get some footage where he isn't guarding his man as effectively as he can.

[big3_8_19_21]

To be clear, I agree that the article is hyperbole, but that opponent eFG is ROUGH. He's really got to pull it together defensively his year. Year 4 and he won't be drawing the toughest wing assignment anymore. No more excuses.

[Zeitgeister]

Wiggins is a very bad defender, among the worst in the league and that's been the case since his rookie season. He does not try. He's rarely in a defensive stance, he gets blown up on screens, he doesn't put any effort into defensive rebounding, averages less BPG than Kris Dunn who plays half as many minutes, is completely lost off the ball. He does not always guard the best perimeter player and often the best perimeter player is no one of particular note. There's really no excuse, he's had KG in his ear, he's had Thibs in his ear and he's still terrible, for the record Towns is very bad too.

[Basti]

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nba-haters-ball/

I knew it sounded wrong when Jim Pete said Wiggins was an "excellent defender" in the latest Jon Krawczynski podcast, but damn. He's really gotta ratchet that D up 3 or 4 levels.

The video that was linked in the article may not truly represent Wiggins woes on D since it's only a small sample size. But if you use those as examples it's easy to figure out why his defensive numbers are bad. Yes, he does get close to the shooter and kinda contests the shots but at this level of basketball it is way too late to make an impact on the defender. The offensive players were already at the end of their shooting motion. If you want to be a good defender or at least average you gotta be in their grill before they release the ball.

Edit: thanks for posting that link. It was quite the interesting read. I'm also surprised by how bad the Clippers apparently were coming out of time outs. From watching a lot of Celtics games when Doc was their coach, one of his biggest strengths was having great plays coming off of time outs. Maybe it has to do with the players.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Crazy-Canuck]

Read on Twitter

I hope he gives a decent hometown discount.

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

I hope he gives a decent hometown discount.

The closest thing in the NBA to hometown for Wiggins is Toronto. I'm hoping he doesn't give a hometown discount.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

I hope he gives a decent hometown discount.

He's getting one of the two 5-year max rookie extensions. To think otherwise is wishful thinking.

[AirP.]

He's getting one of the two 5-year max rookie extensions. To think otherwise is wishful thinking.

Not sure about that, yes someone will give him the max just not sure he's worth that as the 3rd option in Minnesota. Personally I think the addition of Butler lessens Wiggins' value to Minnesota because his production should drop. Just looking at what should be the top 2 and 4th options on the team(Towns, Butler, and Teague), it's not out of realm of possibly that just those 3 could put up 60-70 points a night(Towns 25+, Butler 20+, Teague 15). Now toss in Dieng/Gibson putting in another 10-15 points, that's 70-85 points from 5 of your 8-9 man rotation(and Crawford should get 10 himself off the bench). Does Minnesota need to pay the max for another scorer to put up 17-22 points from one player?

I think either Thibs gets Wiggins to take an Olapido type deal or he ends up moving him(baring a horrible injury to Towns or Butler), if Wiggins' defense takes a solid step forward and he's an efficient 18-22 ppg scorer alongside Towns and Butler, then I could see him being worth the max in Minnesota.

It's extremely interesting to look at how this team may be constructed the next 6 years and how the money is spent. The only assumptions I have in that time is that Towns and Butler will get maxes and will be the leaders of the team.

[ace625214]

For his sake, I hope he makes as much money as he can. Expecting guys to sacrifice their earned salaries before their 3rd or 4th contract is ridiculous.

[AirP.]

For his sake, I hope he makes as much money as he can. Expecting guys to sacrifice their earned salaries before their 3rd or 4th contract is ridiculous.

The NBA works better when everyone takes what they should get(outside past their prime players wanting to win a ring). The only reason Wiggins may take a smaller number is to lock in that money. Luckily Rose signed 2 massive deals before his career altering injury(NBA and shoe contract).

[Klomp]

He's getting one of the two 5-year max rookie extensions. To think otherwise is wishful thinking.

Not sure about that, yes someone will give him the max just not sure he's worth that as the 3rd option in Minnesota. Personally I think the addition of Butler lessens Wiggins' value to Minnesota because his production should drop. Just looking at what should be the top 2 and 4th options on the team(Towns, Butler, and Teague), it's not out of realm of possibly that just those 3 could put up 60-70 points a night(Towns 25+, Butler 20+, Teague 15). Now toss in Dieng/Gibson putting in another 10-15 points, that's 70-85 points from 5 of your 8-9 man rotation(and Crawford should get 10 himself off the bench). Does Minnesota need to pay the max for another scorer to put up 17-22 points from one player?

I think either Thibs gets Wiggins to take an Olapido type deal or he ends up moving him(baring a horrible injury to Towns or Butler), if Wiggins' defense takes a solid step forward and he's an efficient 18-22 ppg scorer alongside Towns and Butler, then I could see him being worth the max in Minnesota.

Again, that's wishful thinking.

[walk with me]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2722742-andrew-wiggins-timberwolves-negotiating-5-year-contract-extension

[C.lupus]

Basically what I've expected. I'm glad they are working on this now. No need for added drama.

[Swish4]

Yeah sooner they get this done the better

[Crazy-Canuck]

He was mobbed as soon as he landed in korea like he was a rock star.



Now it looks like he'll be paid like one.

[Grits n Gravy]

Me likey

[Slim Tubby]

Wiggins is such a polarizing player amongst Wolves fans and the like/dislike for him seems to be split fairly evenly. Personally, I love the guy and I think he's going to make serious strides when it comes to his defense and rebounding. He rarely shows emotion on the court and I think that causes certain fans to think he doesn't care enough. I'm not buying it. The guy can score, is only 22 freaking years old and the sky is the limit for him if he applies himself. Get it done, Thibs!

[Klomp]

The only player with more 40-point games in a Wolves uniform is Kevin Love. Take that for what it's worth!

10 Love
5 Wiggins
4 Garnett
3 Towns