Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 Early Preseason Takeaways
By Aaron Mah
Wiggins The Playmaker
There is a certain level of unreasonable expectations associated with Andrew Wiggins.
Even after earning the Rookie of the Year award and outperforming the small segment of sane projections delegated for the former No. 1 overall pick last season, a vociferous herd of critics still pointed to his below average advance metrics without taking into account the proper context.
To be more specific, the 6’8″ pogostick was prematurely thrust into a primary offensive option role despite his blatant lack of a functional handle and below-average feel for the game.
However, over the course of the year, Wiggins managed to evolve into somewhat of a one-dimensional volume scorer by leveraging his mind-numbing concoction of a blinding first step, unnatural body control, and surprisingly refined footwork out of the post.
Fast forward to present day, after undergoing a trial-and-error process while suiting up for the Canadian national team this summer, Wiggins is unleashing a brand of playmaking this preseason most pundits had cited he inherently lacked.
During the tail end of last season, Andrew regularly exhibited his ability to see over the collapsing hard double teams when operating out of the pinch post to find his brethren of open shooters. Thus far in exhibition play, he has continued to showcase the said skill when the opposition decides to zone up on him as he makes his initial move.
What really has most Timberwolves fans — and fans who appreciate transcendent talent, in general — giddy, is his improved handle and newfound ability to effectively draw and kick.
Having a better command of his dribble has freed Wiggins to fully utilize his lightning quick first step by blowing by the initial defender, keeping control and maintaining his lines of vision, before whipping a pinpoint crosscourt pass to a spot-up shooter.
Yes, Wiggins may be behind the curve in terms of his ballhandling and dribble drive game when compared to the Kobe Bryant‘s and Tracy McGrady‘s at the same age, but he is also — arguably — the best athlete and natural shooter of the three at age 20.
While some may vehemently argue that a jumpshot is much easier to hone and develop than an advance handle, Wiggy seems to be unfurling promptly right before our very eyes.
Next: Defense Improving, But Still Awful