via Getty
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 28: Andrew Wiggins (22) of the Minnesota Timberwolves wipes sweat from his brow against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
DENVER, CO – DECEMBER 28: Andrew Wiggins (22) of the Minnesota Timberwolves wipes sweat from his brow against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins will enter his first full season with the team this time around. A lot has been made about how he will fit next to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.
However, Hall of Famer Eddie Johnson believes it may be a seamless fit. “People wanna be down on Andrew Wiggins. But people, understand something. He’s been around dysfunction in Minnesota.
“With the Jimmy Butler scenario, the losing, being a number one overall pick who was traded for Kevin Love, who was a favorite there. He is not an aggressive player, but now he is with a group of guys that are gonna teach him how to play.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“That will show him what toughness is all about, knock him around, put him in great positions to do well.”
"Nobody is leaving Klay, nobody is leaving Steph, he's going to be open."
Eddie Johnson tells Tom Byrne why Andrew Wiggins will take his game to another level next season with the Warriors pic.twitter.com/nTDQFgpxu8
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) November 7, 2020
He added, “Nobody is leaving Klay, nobody is leaving Steph, he is going to be open. Draymond will average four assists just to him because everyone is concentrating on Klay and Steph coming off killing them.
“And this kid is going to be running right behind them getting dunks and layups. If he doesn’t know it, he better understand it. He is in the best position that he could ever be in his life.”
Warriors and Wiggins: A recipe for success?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
via Getty
DENVER, CO – APRIL 10: Andrew Wiggins (22) of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives on Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 99-95 win on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Is there even the smallest chance that Wiggins rediscovers what made him a number one overall pick? He doesn’t have the pressure that plagued him in Minnesota with Golden State. This team doesn’t need him to do a lick more than his role.
He just needs to work on his inconsistent three-point shot and improve his perimeter defense. However, when you have Steph and Klay to help you shoot and a former DPOY winner in Draymond Green as your front-court mate, you are good.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Wiggins has a simple role to execute, and it’d be a shame if he fails at that. The Warriors are poised for success and Wiggins just needs to be what Harrison Barnes was for them in 2015.
If he can elevate himself to be a wing-player like Andre Iguodala, this team may have locked up another few years of being a powerhouse.
