The NBA world turned upside down on January 27 when the official announcement of the 2022 All-Star starters included Western Conference forward Andrew Wiggins.
The former 2014 first overall draft pick is currently averaging 18.2 points-per-game through 48 games this season, which ranks just sixth over his first eight seasons. However, a career high in efficiency (49% field goal and 49% three-point FG) coupled with elite defence, helping lead the Warriors to the league’s second-best record is where his All-Star case is made.
Wiggins has been on a turbulent journey since entering the league. Fresh off his freshman season at Kansas University he was drafted into the NBA burdened with lofty expectations. At just 19-years-old, he was anointed with the nickname ‘Maple Jordan’ (referencing his Canadian background and comparisons to NBA legend Michael Jordan), and his first match-up with Kobe Bryant was heralded as a ‘passing of the torch’ moment.
Andrew Wiggins’ downturn and upturn
It didn’t take long for the conversation to flip on Wiggins after he failed to live up to the hype. He appeared to be on great trajectory after averaging 24 points in his third season, earning his way to a five-year $148million (£109.6m) max contract. However, his production immediately regressed in the following season (18 points per game), which immediately drew attacks on his mentality and mindset in comparison to the greats he was compared to.
Fast forward to the 2019-20 season and Wiggins was acquired by the Golden State Warriors. This was not only seen as a fresh start but also the last chance for Wiggins to prove his worth. The Dubs were fresh off a five-year run of dominance with three championships in that timeframe, but in the midst of a down year. The-then defending Western Conference champs had just lost Kevin Durant in free agency, along with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to injury for the season. In a lost season they opted to take a chance on Wiggins, but it was up to him to adapt to their established championship culture.
Now in his third season in San Francisco, his All-Star selection serves as a full-circle moment and the ultimate return on investment for Golden State. Wiggins has totally bought into the free-flowing offensive system and with influence from Draymond Green (former Defensive Player of the Year) he has finally translated his rare athleticism into elite defensive play. Seemingly on a downward spiral to irrelevance he has now revived the narrative of his career in his eighth season.
Wiggins’ All-Star selection
But this triumphant moment didn’t come absent of controversy. The first-time All-Star’s appointment was met with widespread criticism and calls for a change to the voting system in honour of more deserving players. All-Stars are selected from 50% fan voting, with the remaining 50% split evenly between media and player voting. The weighting of this voting was revised from the old model of 100 per cent fan voting in 2018, but many believe Wiggins’ All-Star berth proves fan voting should be scrapped entirely. Wiggins ranked third in Western Conference fan voting (3,452,586), which was undoubtedly the deciding factor.
Ultimately, the Warriors swingman has made big strides towards reviving a once seemingly hopeless career and his undeniable impact on a championship contender builds a solid case for his spot on the All-Star line-up.
The Canadian will make his All-Star debut on February 20 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland.
By Josh Musoke
