Their destinies have been closely linked since the arrival in the NBA of the first named in 2014 and, it should be emphasized, Andrew Wiggins and LeBron James will meet for the very first time in a playoff series.
There is no doubt that this duel will be one of the most important in the confrontation between the Warriors and the Lakers, because if Wiggins manages to slow James down as hoped, there’s a good chance the defending champions will clear the Angeleno hurdle and make it to the Conference Finals.
It remains to be seen which version of “Wiggs” will appear on the boards of the Chase Center and the Crypto.com Arena throughout this conference semi-final, because we remember that he had to go away for two months. for family reasons and this episode left its mark, both physically and mentally.
Encouraging against the Kings
At the end of a series against the Kings where he averaged 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.9 against over seven games (46% in shooting), which he also started as a substitute, Andrew Wiggins however demonstrated that there remains a key element of Golden Stateon each side of the field.
” I didn’t really know what to expect “, he admits to begin to The Athletic. ” I knew my breath was there, but I didn’t know if it was going to be great. I didn’t know how I was going to feel, but I knew it was going to be a physical game. And I came out much better than imagined. »
During his absence, which lasted two months, Andrew Wiggins was in Minneapolis with his relatives and he trained briefly to keep a minimum of form. Everything has not been perfect since his return, but the Canadian considers himself on the right track at the moment, with the approach of the shock against Los Angeles.
” Once I scored a few points I thought I was back and it was alright “, he remembers first, about Game 1 against Sacramento. ” My sense of the game is still there, my rhythm and my physical condition are good enough for me to be competitive, so it can only work out for me. Because yes, I think there are still things to improve. Just last year I could defend in all-court pressure, but I still haven’t this year. It will come, however. »
Eyes on the double
If he claims to feel good mentally and permanently positive, the reserved Andrew Wiggins also knows that his return to competition could only give him some comfort. Especially within the so family organization of Golden State, that he will never thank enough for everything she has done for him this year.
” When you’re on the floor, it’s just about you and your teammates “, he explains as well. ” The ones you meet all year round, the ones you constantly fight with. The rest don’t matter, all that matters is what’s between the four lines [du terrain]. Even when I was gone [les Warriors] always asked me for news, they made me feel that I was important and that I was part of this team so that when I come back, I just feel ready to go back. »
“Ready to go back”, that is to say set off again for a long journey culminating in a second consecutive championship title?
” I’m 100% sure we can do it “, effectively announces Andrew Wiggins. ” We have the elements for it, we have the coaching-staff for it, we have the fans for it. I feel like we’re in good shape and this series [face aux Kings] prepared us for it, because it was tough, a real dogfight, every game. »
| Andrew Wiggins | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2014-15 | MIN | 82 | 36 | 43.7 | 31.0 | 76.0 | 1.6 | 2.9 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 16.9 |
| 2015-16 | MIN | 81 | 35 | 45.9 | 30.0 | 76.1 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 20.7 |
| 2016-17 | MIN | 82 | 37 | 45.2 | 35.6 | 76.0 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 23.6 |
| 2017-18 | MIN | 82 | 36 | 43.8 | 33.1 | 64.3 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 17.7 |
| 2018-19 | MIN | 73 | 35 | 41.2 | 33.9 | 69.9 | 1.1 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 18.1 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 54 | 34 | 44.7 | 33.2 | 70.9 | 1.2 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 21.8 |
| 2019-20 * | MIN | 42 | 35 | 44.4 | 33.1 | 72.0 | 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 22.4 |
| 2019-20 * | GOS | 12 | 34 | 45.7 | 33.9 | 67.2 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 19.4 |
| 2020-21 | GOS | 71 | 33 | 47.7 | 38.0 | 71.4 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 18.6 |
| 2021-22 | GOS | 73 | 32 | 46.6 | 39.3 | 63.4 | 1.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 | GOS | 37 | 32 | 47.3 | 39.6 | 61.1 | 1.7 | 3.4 | 5.0 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 17.1 |
| Total | 635 | 35 | 44.9 | 35.4 | 72.0 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 19.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
