The upheaval of "The Next LeBron": Andrew Wiggins is no longer "soft, lazy and uncompetitive"

The NBA is analyzing the surprising change of the Golden State forward, which is flourishing in the new niche as a complementary player.

Kerr knows that "he took a step forward in the playoffs", and now he also knows: "Only winners get respect"

Walla!

sport

13/06/2022

Monday, June 13, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

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Stephen Kerry after the performance in Game 4 of the Finals Series (from Twitter)

Americans' particular fondness for exaggerated comparisons posed many difficulties for Andrew Wiggins.

Who in his youth was considered the next LeBron James and was even selected first in the 2014 draft by Cleveland - which only strengthened the comparison - did not live up to expectations for many years, but now finds him a new and surprising niche.

The current playoffs, and especially the first four games in the final series, illustrate the past upheaval: a particularly ineffective scorer in an unsuccessful team, a soft player considered a problematic guard, he turns out to be the complete opposite in Golden State - he takes on special defensive missions Jason Taitum), does not force himself on offense, and excels as a sub-player.

"I do not think I have lacked competitiveness at some point in my career, I just stumbled upon a less good team," Wiggins analyzed tonight the change he is going through, referring to the stigmas attached to him.

"In Minnesota I used to score more and do a lot on offense, but now I'm on a winning team, so people appreciate it more. No one respects losers, and now I understand that much better. People just respect more winners, and now I'm on the winning side. ".

More on Walla!

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To the full article

A key player.

Wiggins (Photo: GettyImages, Thearon W. Henderson)

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With averages of 17.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game in the regular season and 16.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in the playoffs, Wiggins reinvents himself, and finally also gets appreciated.

His defense is also getting better, and in Game 4 he limited Jason Taitum to just 33 percent from the field in the passes he kept.

"Andrew is a very humble guy, but I can testify that he is taking a step forward in this playoff. He manages to influence the game on the defensive side as well, and this season becomes a fine defensive-offensive player," Steve Kerr praised him.

On defense, on offense.

Wiggins vs. Taitum (Photo: GettyImages, Elsa)

Wiggins admits he did not believe that the way he was perceived by commentators, fans and league fans would change so quickly.

On the other hand, he hoped it would happen.

"The stigma I had bothered me. They said I was not tough enough, not working hard enough. So when I got to Golden State, I was motivated to change it - even though I always knew I was not like that. You see me playing like that now and surprised, but for me I was always like that." .

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• Andrew Wiggins

• Golden State Warriors