Golden State Warriors: Why Andrew Wiggins is finally thriving

For years, fans have been waiting and waiting… and waiting, for Andrew Wiggins to thrive on a playoff-contending team. Finally, the Golden State Warriors seem to have created the perfect environment for the former No. 1 overall pick to succeed.

As we enter the second quarter of the season, one thing is becoming clear – Wiggins was never a bust, he just wasn’t playing the right role. The HoopMixtape sensation had capped his potential in Minnesota as a shot creator, posting dwindling numbers each season that felt meaningless as the Timberwolves missed the postseason nearly every year.

Now, we are seeing that most of Wiggins’ problems were due to his environment. His lack of motivation and unwillingness to improve wasn’t due to Wiggins not having any heart – but simply playing for a franchise with no winning culture.

The Golden State Warriors have done exactly what they planned by unlocking Andrew Wiggins’ full potential in the NBA.

Where the Wolves failed Wiggins, the Warriors have helped him realize his full potential. The reality is, Wiggins was never meant to be a superstar, even if the predraft hype set those expectations for him. Instead, Wiggins fits the mold of a 3-and-D threat with elite athleticism and that’s exactly what he’s becoming.

Alex Hall of SB Nation highlighted three crucial stats that point towards Wiggins’ growth. In short, Wiggins is playing at a lower usage rate, hitting a career-high from deep, and playing the best defense of his life. So, we ask the question, how did this happen?

It all stems back to the Warriors’ system. Wiggins is no longer a primary ball-handler. He isn’t’ even expected to lead the team in scoring. The shot creation responsivities have been regulated to a bare minimum while Stephen Curry works his magic in opening up the floor for everyone else.

Wiggins is free to save his energy for defense and focus on knocking down the shots that come to him naturally. These adjusted expectations have revitalized the 25-year-old’s career and set him back on a positive trajectory.

While Wiggins will surely be mentioned in trade rumors from now until the end of his contract, there is a clear argument for why the Warriors would want to retain Wiggins for themselves. At this point, he’s looking like someone who can be a longtime contributor on both ends of the floor for a championship-caliber team.