Warriors star Andrew Wiggins finished a transformation from underachiever to champion when Golden State won the NBA title on Thursday, Jon Krawczynski writes for The Athletic. Wiggins failed to consistently improve during his time with Minnesota from 2014-20, but the former No. 1 pick found his niche with the Warriors this season.
“It’s a feeling I can’t describe,” Wiggins said. “Every day, that stuff is motivating. That put fire in my eyes. I just wanted to prove everyone wrong. Now I’m a world champion. Everyone is going to have something to say, regardless. Whatever they say, they gotta say I’m a world champion, too.”
Wiggins averaged 17.2 points per game this season — the second-lowest mark of his career — and an argument could be made for or against him making his first All-Star Team. However, his improved shooting, defense and unselfishness were key reasons why Golden State won the championship. He shot 47% from the floor and a career-high 39% from deep.
Here are some other notes from the Pacific:
- LSU’s Shareef O’Neal — son of Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal — has an upcoming workout scheduled with the Lakers, as relayed by Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Shaq played with the Lakers from 1996-2004, winning three NBA championships. Shareef is a 6’10” big man who also recently worked out for the Heat, another team his father won a title with.
- John Hollinger and Jovan Buha of The Athletic analyze the Lakers‘ offseason, exploring Russell Westbrook‘s future, the team’s free agency outlook and more. Los Angeles is coming off an injury-riddled season, finishing with the fifth-worst record in the Western Conference at 33-49.
- Projected top-five pick Keegan Murray likes the way he would fit in with the Kings, writes Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. The Kings own the No. 4 pick in the draft. “I’ve visited with them, met with them, talked to them, so I think just me fitting in with them, kind of being another guy who’s versatile, knows the game, and I think I just kind of bring a winning culture,” Murray said. “I feel like I have a winning mentality; not really that many distractions. Just focus on the task at hand and try to get that job done. I think I just fit in with all the other guys and bring in that winning mindset.”
Big3 getting ready to start their season in abt 15mins. Can’t wait to see my boy Joe Johnson go for his 3rd straight MVP
ISO Joe is perfect for the half-court game. He can keep scoring in bunches till he’s 50.
I tip my cap to the performance of Andrew Wiggins this year. Sometimes we can expect someone to do something they’re not really made to do.
In the case of Andrew Wiggins I expected him to be Kevin Durant and score 30 points a game with efficient shooting. He’s not Kevin Durant. He’s not Klay Thompson and he’s not Steph Curry.
But what he did do is listen to the coaches, bought into the program, accepted his assignment and gave it 150%.
He never complained, he never pouted about touches nor for having to always guard the #1 guy on the other team. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work. He showed he can be a top-tier defensive stud and at the same time provided enough offense to help the team when he was needed.
As you all saw, a couple of games when Curry was not Curry, Wiggins stepped up in a massive way. Huge performances and I recognize that he came through when the going got tough.
Big Time Bravo for all the hard work and excellent attitude displayed by All Star Andrew Wiggins.
Well said.
He became that veteran all star that Warriors trio sought via trade in the offseason and it worked out even better because be wasnt a selfish prima donna like most all stars.
Does GSW FO give him a 4Y/120M$ extension?
+ the Poole extension around 100M$
+ GP2 11M$
+ Looney & Otto minimum 8M$
And Wiseman extension is next …
Yes, 100%. The Wiggins we saw this year was the guy many of us figured he would be coming out of college ball and were dumbfounded by after his first years in the league. The perfect addition
That said, will they be able to afford him and will Wiggins feel the same when the predictable offers come flooding in
Murray would be a better choice for the Kings than Ivey. Should be a star in the NBA.
Big reach @ #4 is a good player but he clearly has no star potential compare to Ivey … If Kings want him they should swap #4 to Indiana or Detroit and get an other asset
Ivey too much like Fox, so not going to help the Kings much. He only avgd 3.1 apg on a team with a 7’4″ center! Purdue’s 6’10” pf Trevion Williams managed 3.0 apg (and 12ppg/7.4 rpg) – come to think of it, he’d be better for the Kings as well!
Ivey was not the Purdue PG… IDK why he is called one now… I think of him as a 2, a scoring guard, with a Jalen Brown compare, but rare stamina. And his shot looked fine.
I saw him late in the year… I think some scouting, done earlier, underrates him.
Agree with you bro, Murray is gonna be good all around and has all the intangibles. Can probably trade back, and still get him at 5 or 6 though
I read that Lakers plan to make offer to Gary Payton
If Westbrook opt out, Lakers can offer more money
If he opt in, Lakers become fools
So much of the NBA is about fit. This is true with Klay Thompson as he benefits sharing the backcourt with Steph Curry because of his shooting which allows Curry to do his thing. On another team Klay is probably not all that.
In the case of Gary Payton, remember that he bounced around for seven years before he finally carved his way into regular minutes the second half of this season. He didn’t even make the team after training camp.
All this to say that the Lakers could sign him but expect him to do things he’s not capable of. Run the point guard position, be a threat to drive the lane and kick, etc. About the only thing on offense is he’s become a pretty good spot up three shooter, and fantastic offensive rebounder.
Payton is so perfect on the Warriors, even though it took them a couple different tryouts to see it, as a Lockdown Defender on the wing. If that’s what the Lakers expect then okay. If they expect more, then they will be disappointed.
I think he’s perfect for the current Warriors and they know it. They’ll (probably) do their best to keep him. The only wrench in the spokes is if daddy tells him to go get his money when it’s offered elsewhere.
GSW have GP2 birds so they can offer him UP to 12M$ so Lakers have no chance …
He could potentially end up in Sacramento (GP)
Murray actually is a good fit in Sacramento. Look good next to Sabonis. He’s a solid pick for Kings. They have good young guards. Murray is a good pick.
Plus now they can move Barnes for value.
I know Pistons will be happiest team in the room. Ivey will be there at 5 …….
Cade and Ivey strikes me as a very awkward fit
That’s not the consensus but I agree. Cade gets mad and Ivey might make one mad. But fit can be a guess, and they are young.
The NBA GSW are ruining basketball.. and it’s bc they ate paying 2 win & basically cheating. THE CBA why even have it? GSW basically laughs at it. They got new TV deal in large market & new billion dollar stadium so they can pay 2 win. Just bc they can afford too, don’t mean they should…
Bc now other super rich owners ate building new Stadiums and copying GSW pay 2 win..
What u have now are a few teams that are going to have new Stadiums & pay billions per yr in luxury taxed.
But does NBA put a stop to it.. ofc not. They want it..
Why u think refs gave GSW all calls in gm 5 incl 2x Technicals? Ofc green acts a fool & gets none…
Let’s follow the money…
Gsw paid $175mil luxury tax bill this yr plus $180 mil payroll..
The tax line was $138mil..
Cs were Under TAX by $2mil…
They paid $0 in tax…
So the league ofc wants GSW to win, which means team will stay together…
The tax bill next year will be over a 1/4 Billion dollars in luxury tax.. Payroll will be pushing $200mil potentially..
It was a $350mil payroll this year vs Cs $134mil payroll…
GSW just on tax alone will be paying 1/2 Billion dollars over next 2 years.. remember tax does not incl payments to players, its added on top of payroll.
So it was $350mil this year total tax + payroll..
Cs was $134mil payroll + no tax..
Next closest was Bkn & LAC both were still $100mil less than GSW..
So why is it cheating & ruining the gm..
Bc it’s turning into baseball… why have a CBA..
For parody… NBA in order to win u need bigger market plus a new billion dollar stadium.
So NBA isn’t going to stop this pay 2 win. It’s up 2 fans to demand it. Small market teams got no chance.
GSW pays to keep all its players.. then steals KD from okc which turned Into Wiggins & Kuminga..
GSW don’t make tough choices.. except how much to pay there guys. Klay gets 40mil + steph 45mil +, 2 super max.. green gets 20mil +. Plus Wiggins who should not be allowed on GSW is 30 mil +.
180mil payroll when line was $138mil & cap 112mil. 72 mil over cap
There a max slot over tax line. That’s insanity..
Just look at Cs. They now got tough choices. Horford owed 23mil. They don’t have billion dollar stadium & new TV deal to pay $300mil tax bills.
It’s a joke.
Look at okc… they couldn’t afford to keep Russ KD & Harden.. Harden was traded.. then KD left NC okc couldn’t compete…
But GSW paid all their guys + KD a max..
It’s simply not fair to teams who play by the rules w being under cap.
U got a handful of teams that’s it, that will be paying 2 win & going way over billions if dollars to win..
It needs fixed.. here’s how..
Repeaters tax actually hurts..
If u pay a repeaters tax you automatically lose your 1st rd pick. If it was traded that year, u lose next 1.
You can only go over tax 3x years in a row, after that the hard tax line goes down to baseline.
And most importantly u fix this by having a hard tax line of say 15mil over..
It has to be a hard line that can’t be crossed no matter what.. it’s set in stone..
15milbhard tax line threshold, which means teams like GSW can’t abuse the tax .
Which is exactly what they are doing. Nor only that but GSW got huge covid discount on their multiplier for their tax during covid.
Point is this… you can’t rig the gm where only teams w new billion dollar stadiums can win.
GSW amount over tax line this year was most ever by a team & its not even close. They are abusing the CBA.
These rules will ensure Parody in the NBA & make it fair for all. Keeping a Hard line at say 15mil over, ensures u don’t add a 4th max player slot. U can get a good player, but the extra $15mil allows u to retain talent.
Also in next CBA teams & franchises need the LeBron designation to ensure players dont bolt to other teams in FA bc it hurts the fans.
They say o0o ur team can pay u most by staying home a d giving u a 5th yr. But Star players who do 4 yr nax deals end up getting more bc in 4vyrs NBA cap goes up they can sign next deal for more $ a yr early.
There needs to be a legit price difference of $10s of millions over 4 yrs to stay w your team.
There should be a 20% fan depreciation tax if a player signs UFA deal to leave team..
Teams also should have more RFA to retain their Star players..
The stars creating super teams is awful for the gm & it all started w LeBron & then KD..
It’s not fair to the fans at all.
That’s why teams should also have a LeBron designation on a star player.. like in NFL a franchise tag..
In NBA, should be a 10yr tag..
Only get 1x every 10x years. You don’t need to use it but u can to ensure players don’t bolt in FA..
U sign a rookie at 18.. he plays good til 22. He’s ufa. U can designation him 10yr LeBron max..
He be a FA at 32 then…
If player don’t play gms he don’t get paid
This injury & Ben Simmons stuff. If player is injured, he should get only a % of his salary..
They can get insurance to pay the difference..
These guys like Harden literally tanking in gms to get their way is a joke. Ben Simmons too.
The teams need a way to hold them responsible & they simply won’t get paid if they are throwing gms & not putting forth effort.
Those idea players can force their way to w e team they want & still get paid full salary by pretending to be hurt or have mental health problems needs to stop.
It will be addressed in the next CBA..
I love basketball but GSW, and others are ruining the gm w pay 2 win. NBA needs Parody.
Thoughts on these ideas?
And nothing taken away from GSW, there great team. But do they win without Wiggins ? Um probably not tho maybe they do.
If they had to play by rules they don’t have Wiggins.. they don’t have Green prob either. They would have to make tough decisions & Curry & klay take up 90mil in salary w 2x supermaxea. But they could win w Porter Jr & looney prob it would be alot closer.
Take nothing away from players ,& Kerr. They got best movement in gm & play rightward.
But it’s just not fair what they are spending.
And what u see is only teams able to compete ate teams w new Stadiums making billions or large market team w big TV deals.
Clippers building new Stadium in Inglewood are taking page right out of bkn & gsw playback.
The NBA needs to address parody & hard line tax line to 15mil over. This ensures another huge star don’t join team w out huge pay cut. Wiggins makes 30mil+…
And also lose 1st rd pick if u are a repeat tax payer. Most repeats are 3x, then your forced to be under tax line.. and not the 15 mil extra red lime, NC going over taxine makes u repeater.
Make sense.
These Rules would keep Parody in the NBA & stop the pay 2 win…
Bc it’s just going to get worst..
Ofc teams under tax get a piece of the tax so most likely they will do nothing… until fans demand it. League wants u to think there’s parody & a cap & it’s all even & equal but fact is its rigged & getting worst.
A quarter billion with a B tax bill & there ready to pay a 1/2billion next 2 yrs..
That’s Insanity Folks. And like I said you wonder why Refs gave all calls to GSW? Incl 2x huge Technicals..
I watched pivotal gm 5 & it was some of worst reffing I ever seen.
Klay pushed off knocked down Defender to hit a wide open 3 & was a no call.
Dude literally extended his arm.. easy call..
But then a play later, GSW acting classes & a flop wad called off foul & then another bad flop called a foul a play later.
I thought league addressed flopping & flailing.
U can’t yell or show up officating but Draymond Green does it every play. He can’t keep emotions in check at work.
Alot of us wish we could flail arms, swear, yell, at our work environment when things don’t go our way but we can’t bc we our Adults & we must keep emotions in check.
Don’t give me that he plays w passion & loves the gm bs line. No truth is he’s angry, I timidating refs, showing them up, swearing g, yelling at them & opps & he fails hos arms all series..
But not one Technical Foul..
But Boston Celtics gets 2x Ts in gm 5..
Every big non call went to GSW & just follow the $.
Cs pay no tax.. they win maybe next year they go over a few million to defend…
GSW paid $175mil tax bill alone..
They lose, they blow it up a bit & play younger guys there grooming.
But they win, they try to repeat & bring back most of team & your talking a $400 billion dollar tax bill potentially…
Ofc GSW are going to get the calls in pivotal gm 5.
Watch the tape.. tape don’t lie…
Watch Klay push off & the no call right in front of Tony Brothers face..
Then watch bad acting flail & flops get called that he clearly don’t see completely but bc of bad acting he blows his whistle.
Watch greens actions all gm. Literally trying to take ball & walk into Cs huddle.
That’s a T any other gm..
He intimidated ,& punkd refs entire gm.
I don’t have a horse in race. I can’t stands Cs as I’m a cavs fan. Point is though I actually felt bad for Cs fans watching that gm. Tatum would get mo calls at all rest of series driving to basket. In ECF he got all those calls. Ofc steph got the calls.
The 4 pt play where steph made a 3 & overextended his leg trying to draw a foul & stepped on Williams. That should been an off foul. He literally kicked out his leg akward to draw foul. He does that alot tho.
Tatum didn’t get any calls in gm 6 either.
He would drive & get raked on arm & no calls.
Those plays come to mind but watch the tape of gm 5. Prob worst officiated gm I ever watched.
I’m not crazy.. go watch it..
Now GSW great team but Cs Def was great this year & refs whistles 100% had huge effect on outcome… tape don’t lie.
Thoughts on GSW paid championship…
$350mil it cost to get that chip.
Cs payroll $134mil.. under the tax..
It’s rigged gm now w these crazy tax bills & payrolls.
No more parody in the NBA..
And ofc refs helped GSW win.
Ofc they did. $ur talking 1/2 Billion over next 2 yrs in tax. If gsw lost, they go youth movement..
It’s plain to see..
Thoughts?
Can you say all that in English so I can understand it, please?