Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised Andrew Wiggins for his improved play this season — which has now carried into the postseason, as Kerith Burke of NBC Sports Bay Area relays (Twitter link).
Wiggins was named an All-Star for the first time this season, averaging 17.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game on 47% shooting from the floor and 39% shooting from deep. His strong two-way play is a major reason why the Warriors have hung around in the NBA Finals, defeating Boston on Friday to tie the series 2-2.
“He’s a very mild-mannered guy, but he’s taken a leap in these playoffs in terms of his impact on the game defensively,” Kerr said, also noting how Wiggins grabbed 16 rebounds in Game 4. “The biggest thing is he’s a two-way player.”
Here are some other notes from the West:
- Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press explores how the Warriors proved they’re still dominant on the road by winning Game 4. Nicknamed the “Road Warriors,” the Dubs have won a road game in each of their last 27 playoff series. Golden State won 107-97 in Boston on Friday behind Stephen Curry‘s 43 points and 10 rebounds.
- Until Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says otherwise, it’s best to assume he’ll return next season, Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News writes. Popovich has held off on discussing his future and seems focused on the present. Should he return next season, it would be his 29th as San Antonio’s head coach.
- Sarah Todd of the Deseret News examines the Jazz‘s front-office hierarchy, which can be confusing because of some relatively recent changes in the basketball operations department. Utah hired ex-Celtics general manager Danny Ainge as CEO last year, but still has Justin Zanik as general manager. As Todd notes, the team also didn’t hire a new executive vice president of basketball operations when Dennis Lindsey left the position.
Poole was huge in game 4 with 14 huge points and Klay also with 13 2nd half big points. They need to show up big time again in game 5 !!
Let’s get the 4th title Klay!!! Legacy time !!!
Why can’t Dennis Linsey get a GM job?
If I had to guess I would say Pop coaches one more season, Quin Snyder sits out a full season, and then takes over for Pop at the Spurs after the season.
Who the heck is actually calling them the “Road Warriors”??
If you have a nickname, but no one actually calls you that, does it make a sound?
If Pop took over coaching the Spurs in the 96/97 season how would next season be 29?
Metric conversion
The Warriors have the best player in the Finals and it’s not close. Although I’m not optimistic, it would be nice if the refs didn’t favor the “more physical Celtics” for the 1st time in this series, and quit falling for the egregious Celtics flop strategy.
Warriors will win tonight if they match the Celtics’ physicality and remember that rebounding is the key.
Curry had 38 points before stepping to the foul line, just disgusting the way how the refs chose to give all his superstar calls to Derrick White of all people this series.
Pretty insane how every star in this league gets the star whistle but Curry. Dude is getting legit getting tackled on top of running a marathon every game and his arms are always cut and bleeding, has been especially gross watching Tatum and Brown get those whistles Curry doesn’t this series. I get its the playoffs, so why not call anything? Let them play unless its a super hard foul.
A’sfaninLexington, Curry gets plenty of calls. Just my opinion but especially paying attention the last game, I think the refs were Fair regarding calls for both teams. Some were head-scratchers but I believe both sides benefited equally and we’re hurt by bad calls equally. I assume the same will happen tonight.
Wiggins trade value is about up to 1-1 straight up for Lebron or KD at this point, wonder if GSW can say no…
If Curry closes this series out and has the same amount of rings as Bron, huge chance Bron jumps at the chance to play with him and win #5 together…
Yours is one of the best parody accounts on here.