When Wiggins was at his best he was billed as the 4th option behind Steph, Klay, and Draymond running the show. He wasn't in the spotlight and the value he brought as a rugged defender with size, athleticism, and tremendous talent really shined. He took advantage of mismatches and was a beast in the post and midrange. He made open shots and took the defensive challenge.
It's much different now. Steph is still Steph but Klay hasn't been consistent and he's lost a step on defense. Draymond has been in/out. And they're playing a bunch of young players, including Kuminga, who is splitting minutes with Wiggins, and has made it known publicly, he doesn't think Steve Kerr is using him right, and may be asking for more minutes or to be traded. Kuminga certainly wants a bag.
Now you have weird dynamics in GSW and it's not all about winning or sending the Big-3 off with one last great run. It's also about minutes, shots, roles, and which play-style is best for this person's game versus that person's game. And now there's a giant spotlight on Wiggins. He was arguably the reason GSW won the title. He was the second best player and an awesome weapon in the post, midrange, fast break, three. He dominated - DOMINATED - the Mavs. Why can't he just play like that? What's wrong with Wiggins? Why did he miss that much time after his dad passed away? Is his head right? Does he even like basketball? Is he still hurt from fracturing his ribs? Is he tough enough? Oh we've seen this before. Wiggins sucks. He's lost it. Play Kuminga. Kuminga is the future. And on and on.
Look, I have no idea what's really going on behind the scenes in Golden State or what's in Wiggins' head. But here's a player who checks every box for an NBA wing and the Mavs desperately need to add size and physicality. If Dallas also adds Kuzma to replace THJ's scoring Wiggins would slot as the 4th option in an offense that could go 4 on 3 with Kyrie, Lively, Kuzma and Wiggins. That's a massive improvement over the current situation, where teams just load up on Kyrie and leave the wings unguarded. It's easy for defenses to live with the results when you have a collection of guys who don't consistently make open threes and Williams who can't finish at the rim.
It's much different now. Steph is still Steph but Klay hasn't been consistent and he's lost a step on defense. Draymond has been in/out. And they're playing a bunch of young players, including Kuminga, who is splitting minutes with Wiggins, and has made it known publicly, he doesn't think Steve Kerr is using him right, and may be asking for more minutes or to be traded. Kuminga certainly wants a bag.
Now you have weird dynamics in GSW and it's not all about winning or sending the Big-3 off with one last great run. It's also about minutes, shots, roles, and which play-style is best for this person's game versus that person's game. And now there's a giant spotlight on Wiggins. He was arguably the reason GSW won the title. He was the second best player and an awesome weapon in the post, midrange, fast break, three. He dominated - DOMINATED - the Mavs. Why can't he just play like that? What's wrong with Wiggins? Why did he miss that much time after his dad passed away? Is his head right? Does he even like basketball? Is he still hurt from fracturing his ribs? Is he tough enough? Oh we've seen this before. Wiggins sucks. He's lost it. Play Kuminga. Kuminga is the future. And on and on.
Look, I have no idea what's really going on behind the scenes in Golden State or what's in Wiggins' head. But here's a player who checks every box for an NBA wing and the Mavs desperately need to add size and physicality. If Dallas also adds Kuzma to replace THJ's scoring Wiggins would slot as the 4th option in an offense that could go 4 on 3 with Kyrie, Lively, Kuzma and Wiggins. That's a massive improvement over the current situation, where teams just load up on Kyrie and leave the wings unguarded. It's easy for defenses to live with the results when you have a collection of guys who don't consistently make open threes and Williams who can't finish at the rim.
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