Wiggins: "There's not 100 players better than me"

[Dewey]

I may be way off base, but it seems that to a degree, we are comparing minimum salary players to a max player ... the expectations of a max player are high and right-fully so IMO. It may be an ongoing debate, but I do think we need to realize expectations of a $1,000,000 player vs $27,000,000 player. There should be no stone unturned when it comes to the EFFORT coming from a max player. I’ll leave my opinion at that.

[PharmD]

I went back and watched every minute Wiggins played in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and can now say confidently he wasn't loafing.

[wolves_89]

I went back and watched every minute Wiggins played in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and can now say confidently he wasn't loafing.

I know people don't like things that go against their strong preconceived notions, but I am comfortable with my assessment. I'd love to have a discussion about examples of where Wiggins failed his defensive assignment or how a lack of effort negatively affected actual outcomes. I am all for a strong discussion based observations from the game that can be viewed in the game replays.

[mplsfonz23]

I went back and watched every minute Wiggins played in the 2nd and 3rd quarters and can now say confidently he wasn't loafing.

I know people don't like things that go against their strong preconceived notions, but I am comfortable with my assessment. I'd love to have a discussion about examples of where Wiggins failed his defensive assignment or how a lack of effort negatively affected actual outcomes. I am all for a strong discussion based observations from the game that can be viewed in the game replays.

Loafing or not, he was awful last night. He has moments during the season, but at this point, I am losing hope. Nope, I lost hope.
He will never live up to his contract. I doubt he will even be mentioned in the top 100. He bricked 2 wide open 3's.
He looks lost because they are letting him have the open looks, then they are waiting on him as he tries to drive the lane.

He is what he is, a borderline top 100 with no confidence.

[shangrila]

I know people don't like things that go against their strong preconceived notions, but I am comfortable with my assessment. I'd love to have a discussion about examples of where Wiggins failed his defensive assignment or how a lack of effort negatively affected actual outcomes. I am all for a strong discussion based observations from the game that can be viewed in the game replays.

Loafing or not, he was awful last night. He has moments during the season, but at this point, I am losing hope. Nope, I lost hope.
He will never live up to his contract. I doubt he will even be mentioned in the top 100. He bricked 2 wide open 3's.
He looks lost because they are letting him have the open looks, then they are waiting on him as he tries to drive the lane.

He is what he is, a borderline top 100 with no confidence.

That's kind of the kicker, isn't it? Even when he's not loafing he still gives you nothing outside of inefficient scoring.

I said in the Nets game the team won in spite of Wiggins and he's at the point where you're hoping he just hurts you as little as possible. I know why they can't afford to bench him but at the same time I have to wonder how much better the team might be with a more limited but consistent player in his place.

I mean, I'd never wish for harm on the guy but it would have been interesting if it were Wiggins that had the 2 game suspension to see what the team looked like without him since, for all his faults, the guy is an undeniable ironman (which, like, seriously? Your one skill is staying on the court despite your team being better when you're off it? It'd be impressive if it wasn't so depressing).

[Child of Wonder]

Wiggins does put some effort in on the defensive end and, honestly, if all he would do is devote himself 110% to playing lock down defense and hitting open 3's I'd be happy with him on this team.

Sadly, even a bar that low may be unattainable for him.

[minimus]

This season Wiggins is playing a lot smarter than before. He still lack effort, heart, awareness, skill, muscles, but I like what I have seen so far. I don't care if he struggles to confirm superstar status, but he needs to "stick to values": cutting hard, seal and post up, take open 3s, eliminate empty long twos. If he sticks and it becomes his new found style then sooner than later he will explode.

[beezy]

He's just a drifter. He leaves very little footprint on a game 8 to 9 times out of 10. Stats tell the story with him but watching him and his inconsequential actions tells more.

[Calinks]

He's just a drifter. He leaves very little footprint on a game 8 to 9 times out of 10. Stats tell the story with him but watching him and his inconsequential actions tells more.

Wesley Johnson 2.0. Just a little better. He's like super Wesley Johnson which is still not a great player.

[Slim Tubby]

There might be 100 players in COLLEGE better than Wiggins (half joking). He reminds me of World B. Free and Bernard King in that he puts up points but does nothing else to add to a winning culture. If he only had 2 years left on his deal, a rebuilding team might be willing to take a chance on him but he has to be darn near impossible to move right no without adding a ton of assets and I think we all agree that wouldn't be the right move.

[Klomp]

I'm encouraged that he's averaging almost 6 boards a game. Shooting percentage looks bad, but it's early. A high-volume night like tonight just jumped his 3-point percentage up by almost 7 percent. Still needs to improve, but I think it will get there. Like seeing his turnovers down too.

[Norseman79]

Anyone who has watched this year and can't acknowledge that Wiggins isn't playing significantly better will simply never give him credit. 2 of the last 3 games he has been over 40% from 3 with significant attempts. He is average close to 6 boards and 2 assists per game. His shot chart is way better. Defensively, he appears more engaged than in the past. To me this isn't about how much money he is getting, it is about his improvement and willingness to change his game. Some nights will be ugly, but based on what I have seen so far, I think this will be his best season as a pro and if the 3 pt shooting will steady out between 35-40% may even get some credit from skeptics.

[Tukkerwolf]

Anyone who has watched this year and can't acknowledge that Wiggins isn't playing significantly better will simply never give him credit.

Better last year, perhaps, definitely not better than his first two seasons...

2 of the last 3 games he has been over 40% from 3 with significant attempts.

He's shooting 28% at over 6 attempts per game. Only 6 players in the league are doing worse. Picking 2 games is ultimate cherry picking. I dare you to find a player 6 years in who hasn't had such a streak.

[Norseman79]

Anyone who has watched this year and can't acknowledge that Wiggins isn't playing significantly better will simply never give him credit.

Better last year, perhaps, definitely not better than his first two seasons...

2 of the last 3 games he has been over 40% from 3 with significant attempts.

He's shooting 28% at over 6 attempts per game. Only 6 players in the league are doing worse. Picking 2 games is ultimate cherry picking. I dare you to find a player 6 years in who hasn't had such a streak.

That is no different than people looking at 5 games and calling that sample size to rip him. All you need to do is watch the game, he looks far different from the player of the last two years. To be honest, I can't remember what he looked like with Flip, just remember a ton of post-ups, which we haven't seen much of.

[Mattya]

Anyone who has watched this year and can't acknowledge that Wiggins isn't playing significantly better will simply never give him credit.

Better last year, perhaps, definitely not better than his first two seasons...

2 of the last 3 games he has been over 40% from 3 with significant attempts.

He's shooting 28% at over 6 attempts per game. Only 6 players in the league are doing worse. Picking 2 games is ultimate cherry picking. I dare you to find a player 6 years in who hasn't had such a streak.

That is no different than people looking at 5 games and calling that sample size to rip him. All you need to do is watch the game, he looks far different from the player of the last two years. To be honest, I can't remember what he looked like with Flip, just remember a ton of post-ups, which we haven't seen much of.

Looking at 5 games? We have been able to see 5 full seasons to be able to rip him when he plays bad.

[vagelis]

Andrew Wiggins with 21.2 ppg, 5.2rpg, 1.7apg so far.
I think that these numbers can go up if he continues more aggressive and he finds his rythm.
He has too many ways to score and I think that 21ppg are not something impressive for him.
He needs to step up and play more aggressive like he did in his first 3 years.
He is more skilled than ever now and he just needs to take it to the next level.
I also think he should take the ball more as the primary ball handler in order to create the offense. He can create and he can break defenses

[Dewey]

Better last year, perhaps, definitely not better than his first two seasons...

He's shooting 28% at over 6 attempts per game. Only 6 players in the league are doing worse. Picking 2 games is ultimate cherry picking. I dare you to find a player 6 years in who hasn't had such a streak.

That is no different than people looking at 5 games and calling that sample size to rip him. All you need to do is watch the game, he looks far different from the player of the last two years. To be honest, I can't remember what he looked like with Flip, just remember a ton of post-ups, which we haven't seen much of.

Looking at 5 games? We have been able to see 5 full seasons to be able to rip him when he plays bad.

It’s not his play - it typically boils down to his lack of effort - he lacks fight, grit, and clearly does not like contact.

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

IMO spacing is completely different this year, just watch how far are other help defenders when Wiggins penetrate. It is almost "3 vs 3" basketball where he has enough space to operate just by using his athletic tools.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

IMO spacing is completely different this year, just watch how far are other help defenders when Wiggins penetrate. It is almost "3 vs 3" basketball where he has enough space to operate just by using his athletic tools.

Biggest reason why Saunders will never and should never go away from small ball. Teams can't pack the paint against us.

[vagelis]

Wiggins with 59 touches per game this year while he had 42 touches per game under Thibs.
His role has been upgraded and he shows that he performs a lot better in a bigger role, he is not a role player like Thibs wanted to transform him.
Give him the ball and give him screens in order to run the offense and he will have many options to score or pass the ball after blowing the defender with his first step.
I believe he has the ability to produce more and to take more responsibilities.
When he gets around 70 touches per game I think we will see the real Wiggins and what he is really capable of