Minnesota at Memphis: Young Pups

[apollotsg [enjin:6592798]]

Andrew Wiggins...All-Star numbers

stop saying those words - are you crazy? Someone is going to ban you from the forums for saying that.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Andrew Wiggins...All-Star numbers

stop saying those words - are you crazy? Someone is going to ban you from the forums for saying that.

Well, when you remove context, absolutely. Ha.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Andrew Wiggins...All-Star numbers

stop saying those words - are you crazy? Someone is going to ban you from the forums for saying that.

While I definitely think his better shot selection is sustainable, the 3-point shooting is where I grow very skeptical. Again, he's had periods of hot streaks from beyond the arc in the past - sometimes 10 to 15 game stretches - only to regress back to his career average of around 30-ish percent.

[mjs34]

Andrew Wiggins...All-Star numbers

stop saying those words - are you crazy? Someone is going to ban you from the forums for saying that.

While I definitely think his better shot selection is sustainable, the 3-point shooting is where I grow very skeptical. Again, he's had periods of hot streaks from beyond the arc in the past - sometimes 10 to 15 game stretches - only to regress back to his career average of around 30-ish percent.

I agree with Q on expecting wiggins to come back down to earth on his shooting. I still have a problem with his lack of effort throughout the game. Jim Pete tried to address it last night, but the film crew apparently were unable to pickup on what he wanted. Specifically, we all saw Tyus dribbling up the court going right by Andrew as if Wiggins lacked the speed to stay with him. Anyone who has followed the wolves for the last couple of years has witnessed at one point or another the remarkable speed that Wig possesses. He should be nicknamed "Flash" or "Bolt", but yet we continue to watch him flail his arms and jerk his head as if he is gutting it out with everything that he has while actually running at 60%.

[thedoper]

Andrew Wiggins' last 3 games, 25.3 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 48.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%

I hope someone shows him these numbers because those are All-Star numbers -- numbers that he doesn't often maintain. Exactly how he's doing this is certainly repeatable, though. He's done a much better job of getting in the paint and either finishing at the rim or using his floater/push shot in the in-between game. He's also taking and making threes that make sense -- threes that you're not shaking your head at or wondering why he pulled the trigger. Additionally, we're seeing more of Wiggins utilizing step-backs to get behind the three-point line instead of firing away from 18-feet like we've seen so often in the past.

Wiggins is arguably the most-discussed player on this forum since he got to Minnesota, and if you've been here long at all you know that my biggest gripe with him has been that he doesn't live at the rim like he should. Well, he's doing much better as of late and I'm happy to give him that. He's at his very best when he can get a good screen at the top of the key or dribble handoff action and attack downhill. More of this and less forcing him to create 1v1 in isolation. The latter has never been his game and likely never will be.

Overall, I'm pleased with Wigs in the last several games and I sincerely hope the "how" continues with him regardless of results. His numbers will obviously regress a bit, but the way in which he's playing lately is going to be his best bet to be a positive player for the Wolves.

No way would Wiggins be voted into the all star game this year even if he kept up these numbers. Too many people in the NBA world would have to eat crow for that to happen. I think he would need like 2 full years of this type of production before anyone publicly would admit they were wrong.

I appreciate your take here because it is absolutely right, the shot selection has been the key for him unlocking success on the offensive end. The passing has been noticeable too. Unfortunately we have all been burned so many times. I am always quick to forgive so I'll drive Wiggins to the all-star game. It's too bad we will be watching from the sidelines. It would be fun if he decided to enter the dunk contest though, shake it up a bit.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Andrew Wiggins...All-Star numbers

stop saying those words - are you crazy? Someone is going to ban you from the forums for saying that.

While I definitely think his better shot selection is sustainable, the 3-point shooting is where I grow very skeptical. Again, he's had periods of hot streaks from beyond the arc in the past - sometimes 10 to 15 game stretches - only to regress back to his career average of around 30-ish percent.

I agree with Q on expecting wiggins to come back down to earth on his shooting. I still have a problem with his lack of effort throughout the game. Jim Pete tried to address it last night, but the film crew apparently were unable to pickup on what he wanted. Specifically, we all saw Tyus dribbling up the court going right by Andrew as if Wiggins lacked the speed to stay with him. Anyone who has followed the wolves for the last couple of years has witnessed at one point or another the remarkable speed that Wig possesses. He should be nicknamed "Flash" or "Bolt", but yet we continue to watch him flail his arms and jerk his head as if he is gutting it out with everything that he has while actually running at 60%.

Yeah, he got flat out torched a couple times off the dribble too, without even being screened. People don't realize how mediocre he is on defense still, despite having a textbook set of tools to be a top defender. He'll never get there unfortunately on that side of the floor.

Having said that, any bit of improvement in ANY facet of his game at this point is gravy and makes him less of an albatross on this franchise. Heck, it may even make him tradeable!

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Andrew Wiggins' last 3 games, 25.3 PPG, 4.0 APG, 3.3 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 48.3 FG%, 45.8 3P%

I hope someone shows him these numbers because those are All-Star numbers -- numbers that he doesn't often maintain. Exactly how he's doing this is certainly repeatable, though. He's done a much better job of getting in the paint and either finishing at the rim or using his floater/push shot in the in-between game. He's also taking and making threes that make sense -- threes that you're not shaking your head at or wondering why he pulled the trigger. Additionally, we're seeing more of Wiggins utilizing step-backs to get behind the three-point line instead of firing away from 18-feet like we've seen so often in the past.

Wiggins is arguably the most-discussed player on this forum since he got to Minnesota, and if you've been here long at all you know that my biggest gripe with him has been that he doesn't live at the rim like he should. Well, he's doing much better as of late and I'm happy to give him that. He's at his very best when he can get a good screen at the top of the key or dribble handoff action and attack downhill. More of this and less forcing him to create 1v1 in isolation. The latter has never been his game and likely never will be.

Overall, I'm pleased with Wigs in the last several games and I sincerely hope the "how" continues with him regardless of results. His numbers will obviously regress a bit, but the way in which he's playing lately is going to be his best bet to be a positive player for the Wolves.

No way would Wiggins be voted into the all star game this year even if he kept up these numbers. Too many people in the NBA world would have to eat crow for that to happen. I think he would need like 2 full years of this type of production before anyone publicly would admit they were wrong.

I appreciate your take here because it is absolutely right, the shot selection has been the key for him unlocking success on the offensive end. The passing has been noticeable too. Unfortunately we have all been burned so many times. I am always quick to forgive so I'll drive Wiggins to the all-star game. It's too bad we will be watching from the sidelines. It would be fun if he decided to enter the dunk contest though, shake it up a bit.

There's no room in the West for him anyway. Lebron, Kawhi, PG13 (depends on when he comes back), Luka is 26/10/9, Booker is 26/4/5. Hell even Ingram is 26/7/4. Wiggins can keep up this pace and he would be All-Star worthy, but there's no chance of him making that team any way with those numbers and those guys in front of him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Just so we're all clear, in no way was I saying that Wiggins is an All-Star. He's still quite far from that both from a season-long production standpoint and a reputation standpoint, but 25/4/3/1 with 48/46 splits is impressive regardless of the sample size.

Again, there's not a chance in hell that Wiggins keeps those numbers where they are -- regression to the mean is guaranteed there. My post was meant to show some credit where it's due and he's been quite good the last several games. I expect the averages to fall significantly, especially with Towns being back in the lineup, but as long as he keeps attacking in the ways that he is I think there's a chance he could be a worthwhile player. That's entirely dependent on him, though. It always has been.

[mjs34]

So Cam thinks Wiggins is an ALLSTAR!!!!! :-P

[Wolvesfan21]

If Wiggins could become an avg starter I'd be ecstatic. Just don't be bad. I like what I have seen, but every time I say that about Wiggins he lets me down.