Wiggins comparisons

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I have been intrigued by Wiggins' combination of solid scoring numbers and lackluster rebound and assist numbers. So I looked at NBA data for the past 15 years to see who else has averaged more than 20 PPG, but less than 4 RPG and less than 3 APG over the course of a season.

Kevin Martin - 3 different seasons
Klay Thompson - Last season
Allan Houston - 2 different seasons
Rip Hamilton
Michael Redd - 2 different seasons
C.J. McCollum - This season

Of these players, Wiggins is the least efficient shooter, but he's probably the best defender other than Klay.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

By the way, if you narrow the search to include 6 free throw attempts or more per game, it ends up being only Kevin Martin (multiple seasons again) and Michael Redd on the list.

I find it kind of funny that Kevin Martin is his closest comparison, at least from a pure box score perspective!

[thedoper]

And already he is 5 times the defender of Martin. I'll take it.

[Monster]

So basically you are saying Wiggins is going to become one of the best shooters of all time and rebounding actually hurts your ability to shoot? Interesting.

*Damjan Rudez approves of this message

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This just tells us one again what we already know... (thanks for the information, Q.)

Andrew Wiggins has to get more involved. I can live with the lack of assists for now because his handle is still weak and his passing vision is so-so, but the guy's borderline 6'9" with long arms and great athleticism. He absolutely needs to be a factor on the glass. 3.1 RPG for the season and 4.6 RPG last season just isn't going to cut it. I don't think it's a technique issue either because it seems like whenever we really need a rebound late in the game, he makes a great play on a loose ball at its peak while boxing out his man decently, but it's not a consistent effort throughout the game and it needs to be.

Paul George has long been a comparison for Wiggins on this board. George has never posted a sub-6 rebound mark per 36. Wiggins has yet to crack 5. We need him to step up in that aspect of the game.

PS: George is averaging 8.8 RPG this year and in 2012 he collecting 7.6 RPG. Way to be active.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

And already he is 5 times the defender of Martin. I'll take it.

That's true, but Martin has been vastly more efficient on offense. Not all 20 PPG scorers are created equal and Martin at his peak (certainly not this year!) was a well-oiled machine offensively, hitting both 3's in volume and getting to the line a bunch.

I think Wiggins can get there eventually if he stops taking so many difficult pull-up long 2's off the dribble and gets more comfortable launching from beyond the arc.

I can live with a Wiggins that ultimately is sub-par on the glass and playmaking if he can truly be an efficient volume scorer and top wing defender. That's a very solid outcome, albeit not a hall-of-famer.

[Coolbreeze44]

I have to step in here and say this unfortunately - Good God he's only 20 years old.

[thedoper]

I have to step in here and say this unfortunately - Good God he's only 20 years old.

Great point. I doubt people were having these conversations at 20 of any of the players on Qs list. Imagine who we will be comparing him to when he's 24?

[AbeVigodaLive]

I have to step in here and say this unfortunately - Good God he's only 20 years old.

This is true. And that's why most of us view Wiggins through rose-hued glasses. He has time to evolve as a player and improve to where he's a key guy on a playoff team. Or, an All Star. Or, even an elite player. It's going to be a bumpy ride, with peaks and valleys.

I'm cool with all that as long as I see that growth and development from one year to the next. Or even from one stretch of games to the next until we have a better idea where he's at -- and where he's going. It's early, so we'll see where this season takes us.

He's a 20ppg guy in the NBA right now. That's pretty cool for a 20-year-old. One negative is that his rebounding is down to only 3 per game. That's a drop from last season. Maybe it's an anomaly. If it's not, any area where a future possible superstar regresses should be discussed as an area for improvement.

[TAFKASP]

I have to step in here and say this unfortunately - Good God he's only 20 years old.

This is true. And that's why most of us view Wiggins through rose-hued glasses. He has time to evolve as a player and improve to where he's a key guy on a playoff team. Or, an All Star. Or, even an elite player. It's going to be a bumpy ride, with peaks and valleys.

I'm cool with all that as long as I see that growth and development from one year to the next. Or even from one stretch of games to the next until we have a better idea where he's at -- and where he's going. It's early, so we'll see where this season takes us.

He's a 20ppg guy in the NBA right now. That's pretty cool for a 20-year-old. One negative is that his rebounding is down to only 3 per game. That's a drop from last season. Maybe it's an anomaly. If it's not, any area where a future possible superstar regresses should be discussed as an area for improvement.

The Wolves have been one of the betterbetter rebounding teams in the league. Wiggins is playing alongside KAT and KG/Belly, that alone will minimize a 2s rebounding opportunities.

Small picture his rebound numbers are down. Big picture his role and quality of teammate is way up. Situation matters.