Warriors by the numbers: Andrew Wiggins’ All-Star case

With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green near certain of adding another all-star berth to their resumes, the Golden State Warriors have recently been pushing Andrew Wiggins’ case to join them.

Although those that keep eyes on Wiggins, particularly Warriors fans, would argue he deserves his first all-star nod, there’s also those amongst the NBA fraternity that haven’t let go of his previous reputation.

The thought of Wiggins being an all-star does unsettle some people, such was the overarching sense of disappointment that followed his time at the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Andrew Wiggins is in contention for his first all-star selection, with the numbers suggesting he’s more than worthy of representing the Warriors.

The push, from big names like Steve Kerr, Klay Thompson and Curry, not only aims to recognize the Warriors league-leading start to the season, but also recognize Wiggins’ transformation to a consistent, productive, winning player.

If the eye test isn’t enough for people to take notice, let’s take a look at some numbers that prove Wiggins’ validity as an all-star this season.

The Numbers favor Andrew Wiggins

Firstly, the former number one overall pick has turned into an elite three-point shooter by every sense of the word. He’s one of only five players league wide to be averaging 18 or more points, while also shooting over 40% from three on at least five attempts per game.

The other names; Zach Lavine, Fred VanVleet, Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns. You’d fully expect all those names, perhaps outside of VanVleet, to be selected as all-stars.

Speaking of Towns, the two former teammates are the only players in the league to be averaging over 19 points per game, while also shooting at least 42.5% from deep. That’s a statistic that must sicken Timberwolves fans, with the duo never able to mesh together in Minnesota.

It’s not just the three-point line where Wiggins has been efficient, with the six foot seven wing being just one of eleven players to average 19 points a game on better than 48.5% shooting from the field. The other ten names, again, you’d expect to be all-stars barring injury; Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, Lavine and Towns.

Wiggins has also transformed into a reliably consistent defender, arguably the second most important on the best defense in the league. His exploits on both ends are recognized by being just one of three players to average 19 points per game, while also holding a defensive rating under 102. The other two players are Curry and young Cleveland guard Darius Garland.

While the transformation begun last season, Wiggins is rightly gaining recognition from being a key piece to the Warriors rise back to the top of the western conference. Sure, he benefits from having better and more experienced teammates than he did in Minnesota, but he’s undoubtedly become a basketballer that makes winning plays.

Comparing Wiggins to other Western All-Stars

He joins pretty elusive company in being just one of five players to average 19 points a game, while also having a net rating above ten. The other names include Donovan Mitchell, Curry, Antetokounmpo and Garland.

In terms of the western conference, the above has recognized eight players we should consider locks; Curry, James, Jokic, Mitchell, Morant, Towns, Booker and Green, with Davis being a question mark given injury and prior form.

That leaves 3-4 spots available, giving Wiggins ample opportunity to be selected. The other aspect in his favor is the lack of other forwards to choose from; the Clippers pair of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are injured, Brandon Ingram plays for a bottom team, and you wouldn’t expect the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Bojan Bogdanovic or Jaren Jackson Jr to get the nod ahead of him.

Despite the pre-conceived ideas some still hold, Andrew Wiggins deserves to be an all-star. It’s best people come to terms with that, especially before it comes to fruition.