khans2k5 wrote:Aside from the fact that I have seen Wiggins get a layup attempt while jumping from basically the free throw line over a defender, which Bazz couldn't do if he wanted to, Wiggins is already considered a very good defender in college. He projects to be a very good defender right out of the gate. Bazz was a non-factor on D in college and defense wasn't in the scouting report for him going into the draft or he would have gone much higher regardless of the off-court issues. Wiggins is a way better athlete than Bazz and if you watch him play, you would see that he can play way above the rim where Bazz plays well below the rim. He didn't get 19 rebounds in a game because of luck. The stats may be close, but the eye test is not. The only thing Wiggins is missing is a consistent jump shot and some more floor space to get to the basket which is something the NBA provides and college does not. If you watch Wiggins play, it looks like he isn't doing anything on offense and then you look at the box score and he'll already have 15 points. That is the sign of a superstar in the making. Meanwhile you knew when Bazz was scoring because it took him almost as many shots as the actual points he was scoring. One is a black hole on offense while the other scores within the flow of the offense. That makes a huge difference. I understand the want to play Bazz, but I don't see Bazz in the same league as Wiggins considering how they both look playing in college. Bazz dropped in the draft because of his play in college and Wiggins isn't doing the same in what is considered to be a much stronger draft, so Bazz does not equal Wiggins.
I'm not saying that Wiggins and Muhammad are the same player, because they clearly are not. I'm saying that despite their vastly different reputations, their statistics in their freshman year are strikingly similar. That fact has not been disputed by the Shabazz detractors in this thread, because it can't be. Everything else is eye test as you say, khans, and I agree that Wiggins wins the eye test every time when it comes to athleticism. He is a jaw dropping athlete and a combine dream with his extraordinary length.
We are always going to be drawn to the player who can astonish us with his athleticism. I watch Kansas games hoping to see Wiggins do something that makes me jump out of my chair. Muhammad's style has never been like that. He has gotten his points at every level through his relentless motor and offensive intensity, and according to Flip and Rick he continues to display this motor in practices, which is why I am becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of minutes. Wiggins, on the other hand, has a tendency to disappear on offense and defense, and scouts talk about his lack of killer instinct and intensity. Eye test items again, to be sure, but another way to explain why their freshman statistics are identical although Wiggins is the far prettier and more athletic player. Wiggins is a thoroughbred, Muhammad is a workhorse...and despite completely different styles, they score with identical efficiency.
I agree, khans, that Wiggins is the better defensive player, but even here his motor holds him back sometimes. If you watched the Kansas State loss last week, you will know that he seemed to take plays off defensively against a much shorter Marcus Foster, and ultimately that cost them the win. He has the potential to be an extraordinary defender (although his thin frame may cause him to get overpowered at the next level), but he will only get there if he improves his motor.
My main point remains this: The Wolves desperately need bench scoring, and a guy who has shown the ability to score at the same rate as Wiggins is sitting next to A. J. Price on Rick's bench.
