NBA
Andrew Wiggins: Air Canada Ready for Flight?
Just 4 years ago 19 year old Andrew Wiggins was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers. he was projected to be a franchise player. A player supposed to be the Canadian version of Michael Jordan. Earning the nickname of Air Canada and Maple Jordan. Wiggins was even traded for an already established all-star in Kevin Love. Talent that had no limit and seemed so natural. Fast forward to now, despite signing a max extension, Minnesota Timberwolves is still waiting for the explosion that is Air Canada.
Boarding for Takeoff
Andrew Wiggins did start off hot his first year as a Minnesota Timberwolves. He was playing the way people were expecting him to play like coming out of a Kansas squad that also had Sixers star Joel Embiid. Wiggins averaged 17 points per game, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists while playing a large amount of minutes at 36.2 minutes per game as a rookie. While putting up solid numbers he put on a show with his ridiculous athleticism. Putting numerous defenders victims to a poster dunk so good you’d want it also as a screensaver. His rookie year was so impressive he took home 2 pieces of hardware for himself that year as Rising Star game MVP and Rookie of the Year honors.
Finding Some Co-Pilots
After his impressive rookie year it did show that he’d need some help to compete with the super teams. Former teammate Zach Lavine was coming into his own, but they need one more piece. Luckily for him though the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to land the first overall pick. First time in franchise history setting another landmark in the young franchise. With the pick they took what turned to be that year’s Rookie of the Year Karl Anthony-Towns. Minnesota thought they had a Kobe/Shaq 2.0 combo with an added scorer in Lavine. Lots of buzz going around the team. Then leading the charge of this new budding trio was Minnesota’s iconic coach Flip Saunders.
Ready for Takeoff
With Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach Lavine together, the Wolves had the team of the future. That second year though started off with some turbulence when head coach Flip Saunders passed away due to Hodgkins-Lymphoma the day before the season started. Sam Mitchell took over coaching duties then. The young trio, with the help of Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett, fought through adversity the entire season. Wiggins showed growth in his game offensively by upping his scoring average to 20.1 points per game, but took a step rebounding dropping to 3.6 rebounds per game. He looked like on occasion uninterested or not focused that year. He showed glimpses of his defensive talents through out the season to show what kind of 2-way player he could be. Adjusting to rising scorer of Zach Lavine and the new franchise cornerstone Karl Anthony-Towns did show throughout the season though.
Next season started off with the Timberwolves getting defensive guru and Doc Rivers voice doppelganger Tom Thibodeaux as head coach. Andrew Wiggins also started off the season with a 5 year $150 million extension. The Wolves showed future commitment with the quiet star. He showed the team what they were getting by once again upping his scoring to 23.6 points per game and bumping his rebounds again up a little to 4 rebounds per game. With the growth of Wiggins and the rest of his young teammates they added 15 more wins that year to 31 wins. You could occasionally see lack of chemistry on the defensive end between the young talent and his barking head coach though.
Unexpected Landing
The off-season 2017 showed a real shake up for the franchise. Head coach and President of Operations Tom Thibodeaux decided to trade the young Zach Lavine (who had just tore his ACL towards the end of the season prior) a draft pick and other pieces to the Bulls for Jimmy Butler and their draft pick. A bit of an odd trade considering how well the young trio had blended and Jimmy Butler was just a stronger, less athletic version of Andrew Wiggins except he was in his prime. Minnesota had gone to future team to win now. Wiggins offense took a hit by dropping almost six points from 23.6 to 17.7. Once again he took a back seat to another superstar talent. Butler did go down with a knee injury during a stretch during the middle of the season where his performance jumped up in almost every category. He looked engaged on both sides of the ball. Going for rebounds, which was always an issue for him. Showing a winning attitude, but when Butler came back he went back to old ways.
Ready for Take Off, Again?
Going into his 5th year and turning 23, this year is a big year for him. This is to the point where you start to realize where you sit in the league. With Jimmy Butler not seeming to keen on returning to the Minnesota Timberwolves this could be Wiggins chance to takeover. He has a nice mid-range that he seems to fall in love with too much at times, a copy-cat Kobe post fade-away, boundless athleticism, and a developing 3 point game. He has to work on his ball handling and just overall aggressiveness. Ball-handling is something he can practice and work on, which is no problem. The aggressiveness and will to win though comes into question. If he puts though pieces together he might not be MJ talent, but definitely a Demar Derozan talent. His flight course now though is in his own hands.
