With the 2014-15 NBA season quickly winding down, the Minnesota Timberwolves would like to remind you they have a future star in rookie Andrew Wiggins.
The T’Wolves (16-60 with with six games left) do this because it’s better to look far down the road than focus on the fact they have a legitimate shot to finish with the worst record in the league. Also, a little publicity never hurts [as Wiggins figures to hold off late pushes from Philadelphia’s Nerlens Noel and Chicago’s Nikola Mirotic for Rookie of the Year][1].
Minnesota recently posted a video on its website which features superstars and all-stars gushing about Wiggins’ athleticism and potential.
Check out what some of the best players in the NBA have said about the 20-year-old out of Kansas this season.
• **Kobe Bryant**, Los Angeles Lakers:
> “I remember being Andrew Wiggins. I
> remember playing against Michael
> (Jordan) my first year. And playing
> against (Wiggins) and seeing the baby
> face and the little footwork and
> technique things that he’s gonna be
> much, much sharper at as time goes on,
> it’s just looking at a reflection of
> myself, you know, 19 years ago. It’s
> pretty cool, man.”
• **Jimmy Butler**, Chicago Bulls:
> “I think everybody knew he was gonna
> be a really special player in this
> league. He’s tough. He’s learning.
> There’s a learning curve for the kid,
> but he’s gonna make his mark and have
> a great career.”
• **James Harden**, Houston Rockets:
> “Obviously he’s a great talent. You
> know, he’s so athletic, so skilled and
> so long that offensively he’s getting
> a lot better, feeling more
> comfortable. I think that, as a
> rookie, the more comfortable you are
> the better off you’ll be.”
• **LeBron James**, Cleveland Cavaliers:
> “He’s a great talent. Great talent.
> And I think he has a very, very good
> feel for the game. And that’s good to
> see. I think he’s grown each month
> this season.”
>
> “I remember when I was a rookie, you
> know, I played against T-Mac (Tracy
> McGrady) on Christmas day. I played
> against Kobe, I played against A.I.
> (Allen Iverson) and all those guys
> that was shining in the league at that
> time. I remember how I got up to play
> those guys, so I know what he was
> feeling.”
• **Kyle Korver**, Atlanta Hawks:
> “It feels like he’s not even loading
> and he’s jumping at the top of the
> backboard. I don’t even know if he’s
> using all of his muscles. … He’s just
> like a pogo stick. He jumps up there,
> and he’s still really raw, but his
> potential is really amazing.
• **Kevin Love**, Cleveland Cavaliers:
> “You know, he’s gonna continue to
> evolve and he’ll get better as time
> goes on.”
• **Dwyane Wade**, Miami Heat:
> “Like I told him when we played them
> in Miami, ‘You know, man, the sky’s
> the limit for you.’ You know, if you
> want it and you put the work in, he
> has that talent. And he’s so young,
> man, he’s a raw talent right now, but
> the kid can be good. I see him getting
> better and more confident in his
> game.”
>
> “To be 19 and come into this league, I
> give a lot of respect for all the guys
> that come in. I mean, six years from
> now my son’ll be 19. When you think
> about something like that, in the NBA?
> Living his own life? That’s crazy.”
The feature also includes some praises from NBA coaches, who probably look at young players with an even more critical eye.
• **Rick Carlisle**, Dallas Mavericks:
> “He’s a tremendous young player that’s
> growing all the time. Very skilled, as
> you can tell by his three-point
> numbers. And he’s developing a really
> nice inside game to go with his
> outside game.”
• **Steve Kerr,** Golden State Warriors:
> “I don’t even know who else would be
> in the conversation. He’s gonna be an
> all-star. He’s a terrific player, a
> good talent and he’s figuring out the
> NBA game.”
Watch the video — which also includes plenty of slow-motion, highlight-reel jams, footage of Wiggins taking on the league’s top stars and more — [at the Timberwolves’ website][2].
[Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com took an informal poll][3] of some voters last week and determined Wiggins has a significant lead in the Rookie of the Year race. But some media members said their vote could change before final ballots are in.
Those who dive into the advanced metrics might prefer Noel and the way his defense has made a terrible Philadelphia team competitive.
While the Timberwolves are even worse than the 76ers (18-60), Wiggins does put up numbers: 16.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 43.6% shooting, 32.2% on 3-pointers.
(Noel averages 10.0 points, 8.1 rebounds. 1.7 assists, 1.9 blocks, 1.8 steals and shoots 46.5% from the floor.)
Plus, Wiggins makes jaw-dropping plays, such as this soaring slam dunk that left broadcasters comparing him to Dr. J.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZj-5D-TGDw
The race might be a little tighter than we originally thought when Jabari Parker and Joel Embiid became non-factors due to season-ending injuries, but Wiggins taking home the hardware remains a safe bet.
—
*- Keep up with the production of all the ‘Hawks in the NBA [daily at KUsports.com][4].*
—
*- [Follow @BentonASmith on Twitter.][5]*
[1]: http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/hawks_nba/2015/mar/27/cases-being-made-against-andrew-wiggins-/
[2]: http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/andrew-wiggins-takes-league-by-storm?utm_content=Wade%2C+Harden%2C+Kobe+and+many+more+share+their+thoug
[3]: http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/scott_howard_cooper/04/01/2014-15-rookie-ladder-week-22/index.html
[4]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/mens_basketball/hawks_nba/
[5]: https://twitter.com/BentonASmith