Minnesota Sports Forum

What say you?

Yes, but he's been soft since he was 16-years old. He's been given no reason to toughen up.

I'll add that this year has been the grittiest of his career, defensively. As of about January, he's really turned it up on defense. It'd be nice to see that level of competitiveness on offense, attacking rather than settling, more often. Its been said since he was a prospect -- he's going to make his living in the paint, not with his jumper.

He's absolutely soft during the game, that's why I was so shocked when he was ready to fight Crowder after the Teague hit on Rubio

No I don't think he is soft. Ever since butler went down he had fought and been in consistent attack mode. Also has played very good defense.

Now does he have a terrible handle and hand strength. Yep. That holds him back not the "fire"

kekgeek1 wrote:No I don't think he is soft. Ever since butler went down he had fought and been in consistent attack mode. Also has played very good defense.

Now does he have a terrible handle and hand strength. Yep. That holds him back not the "fire"

I agree, geek, that Andrew's poor handle is the main thing that holds him back. My thinking on Wiggins has evolved over time. As you know, I've been complaining about his handle for over 2 years. I've always questioned his intensity and I still do. I'm not sure I'd say he's soft, but he does seem to lack that extra hyper-competitive geer that great players have. Having said that, I've reached the point where I'm convinced that Andrew's poor handle is the primary reason he hasn't progressed offensively. The League is on to his weak handle and they've adjusted to prevent his penetration. So even if he wants to attack, he knows he's vulnerable to getting the ball stripped, which is something that happens a lot to Andrew when drives.

But there is a lack of mental toughness in Wiggins. Another thing that has stifled Andrew's dribble penetration is the fact that he knows he's going to get fouled. And that's because opponents are comfortable fouling Wiggins, knowing that he won't finish through contact and that he's not a reliable free throw shooter. Andrew's difficult finishing through contact and his poor free throw shooting both seem to reflect a certain softness or lack of mental toughness.
His mediocre rebounding seems like another example.

Nevertheless, Andrew's defense has been very good the past few weeks and that's encouraging. So I still think he's soft, but not as soft as I once thought.

Yes. Yes he is.

When he takes his first charge I'll maybe consider him not being soft. Having a lack of intensity is a trait of soft players. Bad rebounder, still not good on defense.

Let's look at Russell Westbrook as the ultra competitor. He rebounds terrifically for his size and position. He is not soft.

And in other news, water is wet.

Yes.


When you coddle people, they lack toughness.

WolvesFan21 wrote:When he takes his first charge I'll maybe consider him not being soft. Having a lack of intensity is a trait of soft players. Bad rebounder, still not good on defense.

Let's look at Russell Westbrook as the ultra competitor. He rebounds terrifically for his size and position. He is not soft.

When Taj Gibson takes a charge this year I might not call him soft.