When he wants to, Andrew Wiggins can play with an edge.
[In a three-game slump (6.3 points per game, 7-for-27 shooting) heading into the rookie’s very first meeting with the team that drafted him][1], Cleveland, and superstar LeBron James, the Kansas product indeed looked motivated to show the Cavaliers they should have kept him around — or at the very least remind them of what they’re missing.
Wiggins outscored LeBron, 27-24, (but not Kyrie Irving, who added 29 for Cleveland) and the leading candidate for rookie of the year made another highlight reel to add to his résumé by hitting 9 of 16 from the floor.
Though his Timberwolve (5-22) still had no chance at Cleveland (17-10), Wiggins Vined the Cavs’ defense on one possession with a jam that must have had Cavs fans wondering — maybe just momentarily — how the 19-year-old Canadian would look in wine and gold.
Andrew Wiggins explosive dunk vs Cavs https://t.co/aGctRw8qwa
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 24, 2014
Showing more professionalism that bitterness or envy, Wiggins said [in a column by The News Herald’s Jim Ingraham][2] he isn’t holding any grudges toward Cleveland — a place he said earlier this week he called home for “like three days.”
> “I’m being put in a bigger position, a
> bigger role (with Minnesota) than I
> would’ve been on that team,” Wiggins
> said. “That’s helping me grow more
> mentally and physically.”
[Like Kobe Bryant earlier this month][3], the Star Tribune’s [Jerry Zgoda reported, James had a glowing review of Wiggins][4], a potential future star in The Association.
> “He’s a great talent,” James said. “We
> all knew that for sure. He’s very
> poised and very efficient. They got a
> good piece.”
After the 125-104 loss, the Timberwolves’ sixth in a row, Wiggins reiterated the matchup with Cleveland, who picked him No. 1 overall in June, then moved him in a trade to land Kevin Love, provided added inspiration.
> “I’m a competitor so it’s fun for me,”
> he told the Star Tribune. “I’m sure
> it’s fun for him (James) and fun for
> fans to see. He’s one of the best
> players in the league, so I think I
> learned a lot. He can score in a lot
> of different ways and impact the game
> a lot of different ways.”
—
*- Keep up with the production of all the ‘Hawks in the NBA [daily at KUsports.com][5].*
—
*- [Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter][6].*
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2014/dec/23/andrew-wiggins-to-face-cavs-lebron/
[2]: http://www.news-herald.com/sports/20141223/jim-ingraham-andrew-wiggins-has-growing-to-do
[3]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2014/dec/16/kobe-sees-similarities-ex-jayhawk-wiggins/?hawks_in_nba
[4]: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/286738531.html
[5]: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/286738531.html
[6]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith
