Andrew Wiggins shined at the right time for the Warriors in their second-round series against the Grizzlies, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic writes. Wiggins had a strong showing in Game 6, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds. He also made some key shots down the stretch.
“I believed in him from the jump,” teammate Klay Thompson said of Wiggins. “When he was with Minnesota, it was tough because to shoulder the load so much. Now with us, he can kind of be himself and play to his strengths and he was huge for us tonight.”
Wiggins was named an All-Star this season for the first time in his career. He averaged 15.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the series against Memphis, shooting 47% from the field. Golden State will need his production when it plays Phoenix or Dallas in the Western Conference Finals next round.
Here are some other Warriors-related notes:
- Along with Wiggins, big man Kevon Looney also had an impressive performance in Game 6, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes. Slater believes Looney had the best game of his career. In 35 minutes, he pulled down 22 rebounds and dished out five assists, controlling the interior. After being out-rebounded 55-37 in Game 5, the Warriors won the rebound battle 70-44 in Game 6 — and Looney is a big reason why. The 26-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
- After rehabbing a torn ACL and torn Achilles tendon, Klay Thompson has mastered the work-life balance, Mark Medina of NBA.com writes. Thompson, a nine-year NBA veteran, missed the entire 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons due to the rehab. “Balance is key, even during this time with the emotional roller coaster of the playoffs,” he explained. “Whether it’s reading or taking a walk with your dog or a boat ride or a bike ride. I try to think of simple things that keep me happy.”
- “Game 6 Klay” also returned for the Warriors on Friday, Marcus Thompson II explores for The Athletic. Thompson poured in 30 points, shooting 11-of-22 from the floor and 8-of-14 from deep. He has had some historic Game 6 performances in the past, including 41 points against the Thunder in 2016, 35 points against the Rockets in 2018 and 30 points against the Raptors in 2019, as noted in the story.
Wiggins had some key defensive plays as well. Seems like he had a couple blocks, tips, rebound taps Etc. It’s great when a skilled guy does some dirty work.
He’s been a pleasant 4th option for these Warriors and without all that load as Klay mentioned, Wiggins can perform better than most other fourth options.
Who is Kevon Olajuwon?
There is no such nba name in google.
No comparison!! Olajuwon is a nba star and Looney is a nba role player. He just had one good game
Looney looks gassed all game long. I couldn’t believe the last 3 min of the game. He was lumbering just the same but making an impact.
What is the difference between Wiggins and Embiid?
What is the difference between Wiggins and Towns?
Wiggins is a winner.
Can Towns or Embiid play in the Conference Finals in the future?
I doubt it.
Wiggins is the epitome of a not winner sponging off winners
Wiggins played a tough game 6. He even went to the coach and asked to guard full court to slow down the grizzlies. He is earning his time.
Wiggins career record in the regular season: 242-314, 0.435 winning percentage
Embiid career record in the regular season: 213-115, 0.649 winning percentage
Towns career record in the regular season: 215-268, 0.445 winning percentage
Conclusion: what are you talking about? Wiggins is the biggest loser out of the three of them and his record would be far worse if he wasn’t playing with Steph, Draymond, Thompson, and others. Don’t get me wrong, he’s played well this season, but concluding that he’s more of a ‘winner’ than Embiid or Towns is crazy.
I take Wiggins and Kuminga. Over Harden any day. But the Sixers wanted more. Supposedly more than the two #1 picks. Lot of people gave up on Wiggins.
I was one of those Al. I wanted him gone in the worst way. I wanted someone better at the three.
I think it’s in the way the Warriors use him. If he’s the fourth option he’s a pretty good fourth option and he’ll beat the other team’s fourth option all day. He’s just good enough to entice you to think he can do way more but that’s where it ends. He’ll wow you with a great drive to the hole and a dunk but then he’ll dribble off his foot or Miss three in a row when you count on him to be a number one option.
He’s become a better all around player with Warriors. He’s bought into system and even plays good D. I still see him as a high scorer if he wants it. He’s just more keyed in on winning. And knows he doesn’t have to be the first option. He’s grown alot. People forget he came to Warriors at 24 yrs old.
looney keeps playing great through out this run he will price himself out of the warriors. Some team will give him a good deal. For some reason I have a feeling Lakers will make him a good offer to be behind AD.
I guess the hope would be you could find another serviceable defensive mobile big man late in the first round just as they did with Looney.
Or because he’s been so great, ownership gives him a raise and he sticks around even though with the tax a two million-dollar raise might cost 20 million dollars. But if they win it all this year I bet they pay to keep Kevon Looney.
Its going to be a tough off season for GSW with so many bench players that are free agents. lee, Looney, Payton, Porter, and Beliesa.
Unless they accept a minimum salary deal,
Lee is gone,
Porter is gone, and
Bjelica is gone.
Warriors probably hope to keep Gary Payton depending on price. As I said above with Looney, if they win it all this year they probably extend themselves to give Payton a raise.
My gsw site has stories in reverse. 3 years ago is at top. Any solutions anyone? And worry about offending me if it’s an obvious fix.
Oops *don’t* worry about offending me