Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins hasn't exactly turned into the star that everyone expected him to be after being a first overall pick. But, he's found his niche in the Bay Area alongside Steph Curry and the Dubs, who are looking like a legitimate title contender this season.
Kevin Garnett meanwhile, who played with Wiggins on the Minnesota Timberwolves, recently spoke on how his former teammate is excelling with the Warriors because of the Michael Jordan-like supporting cast around him and a championship-caliber head coach.
“He's playing with the Michael Jordan of his era,” Garnett said. “The knowledge that he takes not just from Steve Kerr and that coaching staff but that pedigree of excellence that they push around there in Golden State — you can't come in there and be less than. Those are champions in there. Those guys have won together. They've been in the grit. They've been in the foxhole together. I think it motivates him.”
This certainly makes sense because before Wiggins came to the Warriors, he was simply not living up to his potential. The Timberwolves were atrocious and there was really no winning culture. Now, the former Kansas star is surrounded by greatness and it's elevating his play.
“We're winning,” Wiggins said. “We're top of the West. Everyone pushes each other. I'm around greatness. Being around Steve, being around Bob, being around Steph, Draymond [Green], Klay, people that have won multiple championships and that ran the league for a long time. And those guys believe in me. Every day, whether it's offensively, defensively. Offensively, they trust me with the ball. Defensively, they put me on the other team's best player. That right there is motivating.”
Sure, Wiggins isn't the superstar that many expected him to eventually be, but he is an important part of the Warriors' success on both ends of the floor. This season, the 26-year-old is averaging 18.6 points and shooting a career-best 47% from the field and 48% from downtown. He's finally found a home.
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