The move of Andrew Wiggins to the Golden State Warriors has been met with heavy criticism, mostly believing all he wants to do is score. To an extent that could be true, and somehow, it would help the artillery the Dubs are now lacking. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson remain indisposed, but it appears the former top pick has shown off an overlooked facet of his game.
If his production numbers are to be checked, they are beyond good. But the thing is, those figures don't matter if your team does not win. That was the sad tale of Wiggins during his tenure with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also, it was his inability to defend against opposing players that many took exception. But it appears he may have just been utilized wrong.
Wiggins is a natural small forward but an experiment by former coach Sam Mitchell saw him trying to play the two-guard back in 2015, Fox Sports reported. At 6-foot-7, there is no doubt that the added ceiling could make life miserable for the opposing team's guards. And while most were unable to understand the logic, it appears that the transition is now reaping dividends for head coach Steve Kerr.
In two of the Warriors games, Wiggins showed that he could defend when called upon. He showed he can play tough defense against Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and also make life miserable for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. And Wiggins knows that guarding the best NBA players in the league right now will make him better, NBC Sports reported.
"It's a great challenge and it's only going to make me better," Wiggins said. "Guarding the best guys in the league and seeing their tendencies. It's only going to make me better so I love it."
Proper utilization of Wiggins or any other player can make a big difference. And in the case of Kerr, it appears he sought the advice of someone who coached the 24-year-old swingman - Tom Thibodeau. It just so happened the Thibs was in Golden State when the trade for Wiggins was done, and Kerr wasted no time picking the brain of Thibodeau as far as coaching the top pick of the 2014 NBA Draft.
Things are bound to change next season when the Dubs finally get a healthy lineup for the 2020-21 NBA wars. Wiggins could still render his usual offense, but it seems clear right now that his defense against guards is what Kerr and company really need.
