Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins’ season-high stirs All-Star debate

Andrew Wiggins punctuated his strong early form with a season-high 31 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a much needed win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

The 27-year-old is now averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals on career-high shooting percentages — 50.6% from the floor and 43.5% from three-point range.

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins is again placing himself in All-Star conversations following an impressive start to the season.

Wiggins has completely revolutionized his game and reputation across three years with the Warriors. He became an All-Star for the first time last season, no less as a starter much to the frustration of opposition fans. Any controversy over his selection was put to bed though when the Canadian played a critical role in Golden State’s championship-winning playoff run.

Wiggins’ performance on Wednesday, in which he hit six three-pointers for the second consecutive game, sparked discussion in the broadcast team about his chances for a second All-Star appearance. Former Warriors coach Mark Jackson surprisingly rejected the notion, while post-game, superstar Stephen Curry gave a predictable but comical response to the question.

Jackson’s opinion has merit if you take into account team success. If the Warriors remain outside a playoff position, then do they deserve to have two All-Stars? However, as we saw with Wiggins himself last season, fan voting has a monumental impact on final results.

Wiggins is currently putting up better numbers than he did last season, so the real question is whether opposition players could leapfrog him. If the NBA did away with positions then that might be the case — the guard spots are stacked with the likes of Curry, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Devin Booker, Ja Morant, Damian Lillard and De’Aaron Fox.

The forward positions may be slightly less but will still be incredibly competitive. Although Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are struggling with injuries again, Anthony Davis (could be a center), Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Lauri Markkanen are all pushing their case. Despite a slow and injury-riddled start, you know fan voting will get LeBron James a spot.

In reality, fans’ focus shouldn’t really be on Wiggins’ All-Star credentials, but rather how his play can help the Warriors into a firm playoff position. If that happens, then individual honours should take care of themselves.