“They are a championship team,” Wiggins said after scoring 23 points and grabbing six rebounds, while explaining a few of the differences he sees. “It’s very positive , very positive, everyone’s getting along. No egos, nothing like that. Everyone just wants to win. It is just a winning mindset, winning culture, what is about winning. And we all want to get better, everybody is lifting up each other, cheering for each other, so it’s all love over here.”
Wiggins, the No. 1 overall draft pick from 2014 who had been obtained by Minnesota as part of a deal that sent former Timberwolves large man Kevin Love to the Cleveland Cavaliers, admitted it felt distinct playing his old team for the first time.
“Felt good playing against my former team. It was good to see them catch up and clearly compete. It is all love for those guys; it’s part of the business. I believe it requires competitiveness to the next level. I feel as if we did our job and that we have the win, most significantly.”
The difference in Wiggins’ match through the first month of the year is in the consistency. After years of up-and-down play in Minnesota, Wiggins has been much more decided to bring a good effort every night, especially on the defensive end. Trainers teammates and coaches have repeatedly praised Wiggins for his newfound defensive prowess, with Warriors star Stephen Curry saying recently that the team has begun calling him”Two-way Wiggs.”
Wiggins reaffirmed that standing in Monday’s 130-108 triumph with three steals and 3 blocks in 30 minutes.
“He is really competing on that end,” Warriors ahead Draymond Green said of Wiggins after the game. “Since he’s been here, he’s shown that he’s a really capable defender; and he is taking up that a couple of notches this year, that has been great for us. He’s actually changing the game on that ending for us.”
Wiggins credited the detailed nature of the Warriors’ culture as one of the reasons he has done so well with his team.
“For sure it’s different because everything is coordinated,” Wiggins said. “You understand what you are doing every night, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into, you understand the minutes you are likely to perform, you know your rotation. There was a couple years just like that in Minnesota in which you understand everything. And Thibs was very clear; he was really simple.
“That’s one thing they do here: They are very simple. They’re not going to sugarcoat nothing. There’s no trick questions. So it is good.”
Wiggins — who was acquired last year as part of a deal which gave the Warriors a future first-round pick from the Timberwolves and delivered D’Angelo Russell to Minnesota — said earlier this year that this is the happiest he has felt in his career.
“I know he is enjoying it, and we are enjoying having him ,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s been a great addition to our staff. This is how the NBA goes. Most gamers are subject to circumstance, and I believe we have a really good position for Andrew. It is not easy being a No. 1 pick and trying to take a franchise. That’s only a job a select few can take on. I simply think Andrew is in a good place. He is doing everything we’ve asked, and defensively, he has been fantastic. He is a joy to coach, at a great rhythm on offense and a great addition to our staff.”
Kerr could not help but chuckle when asked if a win over the Timberwolves meant a little more given that the Warriors have the rights to the group’s future first-round selection, which is top-three shielded in 2021 and could be unprotected next year when it does not convey.
“Yes,” Kerr said. “I’ll be honest.”
Wiggins also was truthful when asked if he would like to complete his career with the Warriors, given that the early success he’s had with the group.
“I would love to,” he explained. “It’s a fantastic organization. They treat me with respect and love here. Heal my family good. So I don’t see why not? I’d really like to.”
