During one of the Golden State Warriors‘ first offseason training sessions in Las Vegas, Wiggins demonstrated his superior level by making several spectacular dunks. Assistant coach Jacob Rubin noted that training was a key moment for others to recognize his potential. Wiggins, who has been absent for much of the past two seasons due to health and family issues, committed to working hard on his game over the summer, training daily with Rubin, allowing him to hone his technique and skills.
The pressure has increased on Wiggins, especially following the departure of Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks, as the team looks to reconfigure its identity. “I want to do right by them,” Wiggins said, emphasizing his desire to prove he’s still an elite player. Despite missing a few games at the start of the season due to injury, he has averaged 18.5 points on 51% shooting, indicating a solid return. Coach Kerr is confident that his performance will be similar to what made him an All-Star in the past.
Wiggins’ recent past has not been easy, as his father passed away in July, which had a significant impact on his performance. Throughout his career, he has faced difficult times, but now he feels like he is in a more positive place. “I think he’s ready to get back to where he was a couple of years ago,” Kerr said of his current status. Wiggins, who has made many memories with his father, feels both the weight of his legacy and the motivation to improve and achieve new goals.
With each game this season, Wiggins faces the challenge of being a key piece in his team’s defense, taking on the responsibility of guarding the opposition’s best scorers. His dedication on the court reflects not only his commitment to the Warriors, but also his desire to change the perception others have of him after being traded to the franchise in 2020. “Every time you get traded, you want to show that you are a valuable asset for the team,” Wiggins concluded, focusing on working hard to achieve it.
