The current Warriors team is a bit like a therapeutic boarding school for NBA players. They have a great winning culture that allows players to sublimate themselves here. Wiggins is a prime example. In the fandom, many people are calling for Wiggins to be sent to the All-Star, which he deserves.
"You can hear those discussions, and you can see them. I'm going to keep doing what I need to do now, and as for being an All-Star, just go with the flow. Wiggins said.
When the Warriors traded to Wiggins in February 2020, the outside world commented: "The Warriors got a talented, athletic 24-year-old small forward who is known for his offensive instability and defensive apathy. ”
Still, the Warriors believe their team culture will change Wiggins. Now in his 23rd month with the team, Wiggins is a confident scorer and efficient defender whose enjoyment of the game is evident. In addition, his dedication to the game and the team is unquestionable.
Wiggins, 26, put the Warriors at risk and was rewarded. Today, Wiggins is already the Warriors' number two scorer and the number one defensive player. When the media asked Wiggins to evaluate his season, his response was personal. "Well, I think I've always been strong," he said lightly. "Ah, I think I've been playing well. Well, make changes on both sides of the pitch to help the team win. So, I think I've always been strong. ”
Wiggins averaged 18.7 points per game and ranked third among Western Conference small forwards, behind Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers (24.1 points) and Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans (22.1 points). But Wiggins' shooting percentage (49.1%/42.2%) is much higher than both, and his defense is on par with George but better than Ingram.
George will miss the game due to a torn ligament in his right elbow. Ingram has missed 20 percent of the team's games and limped off the pitch on Sunday with a sore left Achilles tendon. Coupled with the Pelicans' poor record, Ingram's competitiveness is questionable.
What about James, you ask? He's not flanked. He is a possession striker, and James missed 35 percent of the games in a team with a win rate of less than 50 percent. There's no doubt he'll be in Cleveland (where the All-Stars are held) because he's LeBron, and the All-Star Weekend is only a short drive from his hometown. If you prefer, you can call it the "classic" selection.
By contrast, Wiggins is the league's best-record team's second-scorer and top outside defender. He would be an objective choice, and he deserved to be named to the All-Star Game.
"I feel like as an NBA player, that's everyone's goal," Wiggins said. "Obviously, this comes with victory. You win and you get more recognition. So, I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing, hopefully I'll put myself in the middle of the conversation. ”
Wiggins is at the peak of his season, he is good offensively and defensively, he is one of the core players of the Warriors, he belongs to one of the best players in the NBA. He deserves to be named to the All-Star Game.