Q12543 wrote:If Wiggins is knocking down 3's, he ultimately becomes an extremely dangerous scorer. To me that's a good sign over the long run, even though he may have fluffed some easy opportunities.
Of course, it's easy for me to be detached about it without having watched the game. I stare at the box score and just shake my head at our defense. Whatever Thibs is preaching, the parishioners are asleep.
I don't get it Q. The defense might even be worse than last year. It was embarrassing tonight.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:The Wiggins hate is ridiculous. Who else hit big shots tonight? Huh?
I think I made myself clear, they would not have been in the game without Wiggins. But I don't think it's even arguable at this point that as time is running down he tightens up. He struggles to hit free throws late in close games, not just this game, but all the time. He's an early fourth quarter stud, but the team needs a closer if he isn't going to change his late game trend.
Did you not see the stats I put together on who has been our best player at the end of games? Are you just talking out your ass?
I think everyone is so traumatized that they are projecting their past experiences onto Wiggins. Any comparison to Wes Johnson is ridiculous. We're so lucky to have this kid.
CoolBreeze44 wrote:The Wiggins hate is ridiculous. Who else hit big shots tonight? Huh?
I'm so mixed on the guy, Cool. He's a superb scorer with an improving shot, but I get Hicks' point about his on-court demeanor. There's a little Smilin' Wes just-glad-to-be-here in him, and it bugs me at times. I want to see him play an entire game with a scowl on his face. Maybe it doesn't change his performance, but maybe it does...and it would make me feel a lot better. I want him to be less nice.
LST, I don't see that at all. I believe he is consistently our best 4th quarter performer. The free throw thing needs to get fixed though.
I agree with your 4th quarter assessment...I'll take Wig over anyone else at crunch time. But it just bugs me every time I see him with that goofy smile on the court...or on the bench. I think his laid back personality has a lot to do with his subpar defense. He's going to be a great scorer...that's a given. But I think he has to get meaner and tougher if he's ever going to be more than just a scorer.
Very disappointing at this point.there effort compared to the nets tonight was just terrible. All these nonchalant passes and standing around. It would be nice to see some effort made on defense. By far most disappointing game of the season for me so far. And even worse, these guys played much better at the end of last season. Very much a regression from last year. Sick of the youth excuse.i truly doubt the mental toughness of this team not to mention their competetive nature.
Here's what KG told someone I know this past summer: "Wiggins has no heart." Those were KG's exact words according to someone I know and trust and who's connected to KG. I wouldn't go that far. But Wiggins does strike me as somewhat soft. Yet, he's a great offensive player and I can't blame our pathetic start on him. Someone other than Wiggins has to emerge as the go-to alpha dog on this team who can win games for us at crunch time. Right now, KAT is the leading candidate to emerge as that player. I think Zach can be a big-time closer for us as well. But it probably won't be Wiggins.
All that said, isn't Thibs supposed to be a defensive guru? Why are we worse both defensively and offensively that we were the end of last season? Hmm. Well, it is still early. But if things haven't turned around dramatically by December I don't think we'll be able to say "it's still early."
