Early Takeaways from Andrew Wiggins' Performance with Minnesota Timberwolves
The 2014 NBA season is as young as Andrew Wiggins, but there are some takeaways already to garner.
In high school, Wiggins became the most hyped-up prospect since LeBron James due to his elite athletic ability (as seen below) and his defensive intensity.
After being drafted first overall in the 2014 NBA draft and then being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 19-year-old had an intense summer.
However, Wiggins did not let the drama affect his play. In the Las Vegas Summer League, he led the Cavs in scoring, averaging 15.5 points per game, per NBA.com.
He then continued his success by having an impressive preseason. According to CBSSports.com, Wiggins was the second-leading scorer on the Wolves, averaging 11.8 points per game, second only to Mo Williams (12.8 points per game).
Due to an injury to Kevin Martin, Wiggins became one of the youngest players to ever start for the Wolves:
"Youngest players to start in a game for the Timberwolves-- Kevin Garnett, Andrew Wiggins, Stephon Marbury (all age 19)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 30, 2014"
A handful of games into the 2014-15 NBA season, Wiggins has had his fair share of ups and downs.
Highlights
One moment Wiggins will never forget: his first bucket as a professional basketball player. Ricky Rubio dishing the ball to the wing and Wiggins draining the three-pointer is a sight many fans in Minnesota hope to see for the next few years.
"Andrew Wiggins' First NBA Bucket! https://t.co/fpmmOuq114
— NBA BATTLES™ (@BattlesNBA) October 30, 2014"
Even though Wiggins is capable of shooting from long range, he is known more for his defense. Wiggins gave fans a taste of his skills when he blocked reigning Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah.
The Wolves lost the game to the Chicago Bulls, but Wiggins left his mark, recording two steals and two blocks.
The 19-year-old is still developing offensively, but he has demonstrated his scoring potential. In the second game of the season, a 97-91 win over the Detroit Pistons, Wiggins completed his first career and-1:
"Wiggins hang time https://t.co/VwLFtCBWjl
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) October 31, 2014"
The best game of Wiggins' young career was the Wolves' 98-91 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, in which he scored a personal-best 17 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the field.
"Watch: @22wiggins scores career-high 17 points in @MNTimberwolves' win over @BrooklynNets: http://t.co/NzqS3dlk7a
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 6, 2014"
Lowlights
Wiggins may have the potential to be a top-five player in this league, but right now, he's playing very much like any other struggling rookie.
Over the first three games of the season, Wiggins averaged 7.3 points per game while shooting only 37.5 percent. Worst of all, he had a 5.65 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) over that span, which is well under the league average (15).
Wiggins has also struggled from the line, shooting a horrid 45.5 percent.
His early offensive struggles may be disappointing to Wolves fans, but it was obvious, even in college, that Wiggins' skills were very raw. His handles are also shaky, which might explain his 2.3 turnovers per game so far this season.
Takeaways
Wiggins has a very high ceiling, but at only 19 years old, he still needs time to develop. Wiggins looks nervous and takes too many ill-advised shots, but that's normal for a rookie.
The neophyte should take his time and use his athleticism and his defensive ability to be the best role player possible until he's able to mature and inevitably become an All-Star in the future.
This Wolves team already has Thaddeus Young, Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin to handle the scoring, so there should be no pressure for Wiggins to force up points.
Wiggins will probably have his fair share of good games and bad games this year, but that's expected. As the year progresses, his playing time will probably go up along with his stats and his confidence.
All stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
Love the T-Wolves? Follow me on Twitter: @SupermanJZ.
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