If you think Andrew Wiggins is playing inspired ball since he was named an All-Star starter last week, you’re not alone.
During his weekly appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto” Wednesday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wiggins has looked like a different player his past three contests. You can listen to the full interview below:
“Andrew’s just the most modest, humble guy,” Kerr said. “I do think that being named an All-Star starter has infused him with more confidence than ever. He’s looked so good a week ago when he was named an All-Star. He’s shooting the lights out, he’s just playing with such ease and confidence.”
Since the announcement, Wiggins is averaging 22 points, 5.3 rebounds and six assists per game while shooting 56.8 percent from the field, and has averaged four 3-pointers with a 54.5 percent clip from distance.
It’s been a long road for Wiggins since he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014 and shipped to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he spent the first five-plus seasons of his career.
When the Warriors acquired Wiggins (and a draft pick that ended up being Jonathan Kuminga) with a midseason trade in 2020 centered around D’Angelo Russell, Wiggins was still followed by concerns about his effort. Wiggins was chided for lackadaisical defense and poor shot selection while trying to be the face of the franchise in Minnesota, but he has flourished as a right-hand man for fellow All-Star starter Steph Curry since joining the Warriors.
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“It’s great to see,” Kerr said. “He’s dealt with a lot of stuff over the years, a lot of stress, people calling him a bust and all that stuff. He’s just put his head down and worked, and he’s earned this. He’s just playing lights out right now.”
Now he has emerged as one of the top all-around wings in the game and earned the nickname Two-Way Wiggs from Dub Nation. This season, Wiggins is averaging career highs in field goal percentage (48.7), 3-pointers made (2.3 per game) and 3-point field goal percentage (41.6).
“It’s just the smoothness in his game,” Kerr said. “There’s no indecision. When he’s just rising up and shooting it, no hesitation. He’s aggressive defensively. He’s got a very quiet confidence about him and it’s been really fun to see it blossom here over the last week, even moreso than the earlier part of the year.”
