SAN FRANCISCO – Andrew Wiggins is looking forward to his entire career to shine on the NBA Finals.
The eight-year-old veteran, he didn’t want another chance. But now he is taking advantage of being here.
The Warriors beat Boston Celtics 104-94 in 5 games on Monday night, ending with 12-23 shots, 13 rebounds, two steals, two assists and 26 points on the block, as Golden State lost 3-. 2 series lead.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said: “We knew we needed his athletics and defense and his versatility. We didn’t know he would contribute. ” “But I think the situation is a memory for almost every player in the NBM. You just have to be more discriminating with the help you render toward other people. The wigs fit very well. “
Since the Warriors’ Game 4 victory in Boston, there has been a lot of discussion around the team about whether Golden State needs to support superstar Stephen Curry.
One night when Curry scored just 16 points and failed to hit a single 3-pointer, Wiggins rested in Game 5.
His 26 points are the second highest after this season. He scored 20 points, making his season high. This is the first time Wiggins has led the Warriors in scoring and rebounding in all seasons (playoffs and regular seasons) and the first time he has recorded a back-to-back double-double.
“I mean, the biggest key to success in this league is, and what Andrew did tonight is, we don’t get it – we don’t feel more excited when the Wigs sting someone,” said Clay Thompson. “And it really helped the whole team and the Bay Area.”
According to Drymond Green, the trade-off since Kevin Durant’s departure, the belief in seeing Wiggins at a time when the team needed any kind of spark, has been building since Wiggins’ arrival about two years ago.
“A lot of people look at that business like, hey, this is another piece they can move,” Green said. “We’ve seen the business from the beginning as if it’s someone who can fit in with a healthy group,” he said. He is recovering. He has accepted every challenge you have. And it’s too big. And for another victory, we need him. ”
In Wiggins’ eyes, sitting in the Golden State is easy.
“I think being here is a winning culture,” he said. “They’ve won before and they dominate the NBA. When I came here, they put you in a position to succeed. They always bring out the best in you. They want the best for you. You know, assistants.”
Wiggins’ fitness with the Warriors has been in constant discussion throughout the season. It has become clear that his role with the Warriors – not always the No. 1 scoring option and someone who can do highly defensive work – has led him to emerge.
But then, there are nights like Monday where he doesn’t mind playing an aggressive scoring role.
But Wiggins’ influence went beyond his score. Once again facing the Golden State rivals ‘best scorers, Wiggins led the Warriors’ defensive effort and led Boston to a 7-16-shootout.
“The key to our game is defense,” Kerr said. In addition to Wiggins, Kerr named Green and Gary Payton II as key figures at that end of the floor.
Although Green became the first player to be knocked out of the final since 2000, he caught the Celtics in a 1-1 shootout out of 10 while he was a rival defender. Jayleen is leading 1-6 with Brown Green.
“He’s a guy I’ve been watching for eight years,” Kerr said. “He is always on the defensive. He is giving the ball. He is bringing that intensity and competition and energy. I think Drummond is smart. “
In addition to his defense, Green scored eight points, but most importantly, he went on the offensive and demonstrating without being distracted. Finding this balance has been a problem for Green for this series so far.
“In a situation like this series where things are not so smooth and you have some rough patches, he finds the right energy and attitude and the way to react with brutality. If you are watching the game, you always pay attention to it. Because it’s the same everywhere else, “said Curry.” We need that restraint. Throughout the year, we are not in the finals unless the first three series are played at such a high level. “
Throughout the season, the Warriors have hung up their hats as a defense-first team – the idea may not be true as the roster features two of the NBA’s best, deadliest shooters. However, the warriors firmly believe that their crime is due to their protection.
And they point to players like Wiggins as examples.
“He has accepted the challenge of consistency and what he is able to do on both ends of the floor,” Curry said. “The fact that he has the opportunity to do what he’s doing is the way we play and the way we’ve embraced him from day one … the main thing is that he loves playing basketball. That’s the biggest thing.”