If there was one player who represented the future of the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, it was Andrew Wiggins.
Young. Athletic. Competitive.
Oh yeah, and he’s really good at basketball.
That's why it was really no surprise that Wiggins won the Rookie of the Year on Thursday afternoon.
“(He’s) a very young talent,” future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan said about Wiggins. “A heck of a lot of talent there.”
Players such as Nikola Mirotic, Nerlens Noel and Elfrid Payton gave Wiggins a run, but not one player was as consistent as Wiggins was throughout the season.
The former Kansas star ended his rookie season averaging 16.9 points (first among rookies), 4.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and one steal per game. He shot 43.7 percent from the field, 31 percent from deep and 76 percent from the free-throw line.
Wiggins was one of four rookies (Mirotic, Payton and Dante Exum) to appear in all 82 games. He was the only one to start all 82. With injuries hitting Minnesota’s lineup seemingly every night, Wiggins was the constant. He played 2,969 minutes this season, more than anyone since January and second in the league to only Houston's James Harden.
Most rookies hit the “Rookie Wall” at least once during his rookie season. Wiggins was no different, but had no choice but to burst through that wall. Back in November after a game against the Indiana Pacers, head coach Flip Saunders called his rookie star out for not giving 100 percent all the time.
That wouldn’t be a problem again.
Wiggins averaged 12.3 points per game during his first month. In eight April games, Wiggins averaged 23.3 points, six rebounds and four assists per game – all career bests. Fans and teammates were able to see him grow as a player throughout the season.
In February (right before Wiggins won the Rising Stars MVP), head coach Steve Kerr made it clear who his Rookie of the Year vote would go to.
“I don’t even know who else (besides Wiggins) would be in the conversation,” Kerr said.
This is something that Wiggins has been after since he was drafted – like most rookies.
“It’s a goal of mine,” Wiggins said at the All-Star Break. “… Going into the league, that’s what you aim for.”
Wiggins’ ride into the league, though, wasn’t as smooth as most. Early on, many wondered if Wiggins had the motor to be the No. 1pick. The Cavaliers were convinced that wouldn’t be a problem and selected Wiggins first overall. Wiggins never got comfortable wearing the wine and gold, though, as LeBron James forgot to mention him in a certain letter.
That led everyone to question whether or not Wiggins was in Cleveland’s plans, especially with Kevin Love’s situation in Minnesota.
And just like that, Wiggins was headed to Minnesota while Love headed to Cleveland.
While it’s not for certain, chances are Wiggins hadn’t have won this award in Cleveland.
“I think it was the best move for me,” Wiggins said. “(It) gave me more room. Put me in a position where I had to grow up faster. In the league, that’s what’s best for you… More time to shine.”
And shining is something Wiggins has done game-after-game. He’s found himself on ESPN’s Top-10 more than any other Wolves player (sorry, Zach LaVine) with posterizing dunks over guys like Omer Asik and Rudy Gobert.
His athleticism and talent sets him apart from the other rookies in this class and he’s put it on display all season long.
“His potential is through the roof,” Hawks All-Star Kyle Korver said of Wiggins. “He can be dynamic. It feels like he’s not even loading and he’s jumping at the top of the backboard. I don’t even know if he’s using all of his muscles. He’s like a pogo stick. He’s still really raw. His potential is amazing.”
It won’t be very long until we stop using the word “potential” when describing Wiggins.
It looks like he’ll be a star in this league for a very long time. This award is just the first step of that.