NBA champion Andrew Wiggins talks winning culture in Golden State, Klay Thompson’s return, and the latest collaboration
From media to fans We often make quick decisions about whether or not an athlete will meet our expectations of them. Often, they throw off their careers just a few years later.
Andrew Wiggins, #22 of the Golden State Warriors, poses in a picture in front of the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16 2022 in the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo from Mark Blinch/NBAE through Getty Images)
Andrew Wiggins was one of those players on our radar following his initial years as a player for the Minnesota Timberwolves were filled with numerous highlights, but not much winning. He was drafted in the top tier of. one overall at the 2013 NBA Draft.
In the present, just several months after Wiggins’ NBA game was scrutinized, Wiggins is an NBA champion.
The moment that Wiggins had been traded to the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 season There were many who were skeptical about the move, asking whether Wiggins would ever be an important player on a roster that could win championships.
There was a change. The culture of Golden State brought out the best in Wiggins.
“They just let you play your game,” Wiggins said to Fox News Digital. “They put everyone in a position to do well. Great coaching staff, great organization, great people around that know basketball. And my teammates are amazing. Playing alongside future Hall of Famers, you learn a lot. They keep you motivated.”
Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins In action, pictured at #22 in action, dribbles against Boston Celtics Al Horford, #42 in action, at TD Garden. Game 6, 2022 NBA Finals. (Photo taken by Erick R. Rasco/Sports Illustrated through Getty Images)
We tend to blame the player for not meeting our expectations. We are not realizing that sometimes all that needs to be done is a change of scenery or a change in the tone of their ear of theirs.
“Steve [Kerr] is a great coach. A player’s coach,” Wiggins declared. “He’s going to put everybody in a position to perform great. He gives his players confidence and playing on the court with him, allows you to play the game. Whatever your sport is and whatever it is, he’ll let players play.
“He maintains his group members motivated. He keeps the team on track, and he keeps all team members accountable.
The change was stunning to witness. Wiggins transformed into more than just an excellent defender and was often tasked with protecting the opponent’s top offensive player during Golden State’s rise to the very top in the NBA.
Wiggins was the second-highest value Golden State player during their title run — second only to Steph Curry who averaged 18.3 points as well as 8.8 Rebounds per game during the NBA Finals.
He’s becoming a sought-after professional and has teamed up with Invisalign which, Wiggins declares “is for everyone.”
“We have an amazing partnership, and one of the reasons I wanted to work with Invisalign, is they have the most advanced clear liners in the world right now,” Wiggins stated about collaboration with Invisalign.
“They’re excellent, and it’s accessible to everyone. They help you feel confident and make it easy. You can still have fun in the rest of your life. Enjoy what you want to eat. Take what you want and have fun doing it. You don’t even feel it and it’s a great help even if you don’t realize that it’s doing it for you.
Andrew Wiggins, #22 of the Golden State Warriors, celebrates with the Larry O’Brien trophy after Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16 2022 in the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo taken by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE, via Getty Images)
“It’s there for everybody. And it does help.”
It’s one of the sports’ most memorable stories. A superior athlete finally met the standards which were put in his path.
Through the years, Wiggins has been lucky to be able to play alongside the top player’s basketball players the NBA has ever witnessed, helping Curry as well as Draymond Green rise out of the abyss of the NBA to become champions for the third consecutive time, and also watching fans’ favorite Klay Thompson come back to court after suffering two terrible injuries.
“He’s such a great guy and I feel like everyone that’s been around him knows how hard he works,” Wiggins stated when asking Thompson about his return to court back in the month of January. “And the amount of work that he did to be back. Thompson was devastated by an injury, returned, and was then injured yet again. It’s my opinion it hurts the NBA world because he’s an excellent player and fantastic person.
“To see how hard he worked to get back, and then to see the success as soon as he gets back, it was amazing. Any hooper loves to see a comeback story. It’s priceless. And his journey was priceless. It was amazing to watch.”
Wiggins will have a lot to tackle in the next few months, especially with the possibility of extending his contract for eight years when his contract is in the last term of the contract. At present, Wiggins is simply enjoying his life as an NBA champion and is thankful to be an integral part of the Golden State family.
“I love Golden State,” Wiggins declared. “I love the organization. They treat me and my family so well. I love it.”
Wiggins can be a lesson for everyone – don’t take your time judging the athletes we love watching. Sometimes, a bit of patience is needed.
