Does Andrew Wiggins Deserve to Be Named an All-Star?
The Golden State Warriors have definitely revived Andrew Wiggins’ career. So much so that he is getting NBA All-Star recognition from around the league. Klay Thompson commented on an Instagram post last week that Wiggins was one of the top two-way players on the best team in the league and he absolutely deserves to be named to the Western Conference All-Star squad. It got me thinking, does he really?
"One of the best 2 way players in the game on the best team in the league, NO QUESTION HE DESERVES IT!" Thompson's comment said of Wiggins being an All-Star this season.
This season, Wiggins is averaging 18.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He’s shooting 49.0 percent from the field and a whooping 41.3 percent from beyond the arc (both would be the best marks he has had during his eight-year career). That’s currently the best three-point percentage on the Golden State roster. Yes, Wiggins is shooting at a better clip than the great Steph Curry.
He has also made a major impact on the defensive end frequently throughout the season. Wiggins currently has a 103.6 defensive rating which is within the top 15 for the entire league. What makes this even more intriguing is the fact that he has done this without missing a game this season. Andrew has started in all 26 games and has played over 30 minutes per game for the Dubs, a very hard task to accomplish.
His career season has translated into the win column for the Bay Area’s team. The Warriors boast an outstanding 22-5 record at the moment. Golden State is currently in control with the best record in the entire NBA. This wouldn’t be possible without the stellar play from the former #1 draft pick.
So will Andrew Wiggins end up on the NBA’s brightest stage? The 2022 NBA All-Star Game will be played on February 20th in Cleveland, Ohio. I don’t think he will be in attendance with the always stacked and talented Western Conference team but the NBA All-Star voting process is known to have its flaws. A few players who may be more deserving have been snubbed by first timers to the NBA All-Star Game. Only time will tell if Andrew does end up earning his first All-Star selection this season.
Another question that I will be commenting on in the near future is whether or not the Warriors deserve three NBA All-Star bids from Curry, Wiggins, and Green as we get closer to January/February. It wouldn’t be the first time that Golden State has sent that many players to one of the biggest games of the year.
Follow Arden Cravalho on Twitter @a_cravalho.
(Photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)