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Minnesota Timberwolves: Andrew Wiggins Scoring Guide

By Brian Sampson

Feb 12, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Rakeem Christmas (25) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Rakeem Christmas (25) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. The Straight Drive

The straight drive is one of the most simple, yet effective, ways to score in the NBA. It’s probably one of the most underrated moves as well.

A lot of players aren’t able to perform the straight drive because it requires elite quickness and strength. A player must be able to beat his man off the dribble by using his quickness advantage over the defender. Then that player must have enough strength to not allow his defender to bully himself back into proper defensive position.

After the offensive player is able to both beat his man off the dribble and secure his spot on the drive he now has to contend with the giants inside. None of that is easy to do yet we all look at the straight drive as being a simple tool.

Wiggins can beat the majority of his defenders off the bounce which gives him the edge on performing the straight drive. Once Wiggins beats his man off the dribble, he is strong enough to hold his man off and get into the lane. Wiggins has a couple of nifty finishes he can rely on but sometimes simple is best.

On this drive, Wiggins catches the ball on a nice skip pass from Ricky Rubio. His man closes out to him but Wiggins is able to swing the ball through and drive towards the middle of the lane. The ball swing is key here. It allows Wiggins to get his lead foot in front of his defender’s slide foot. This ensures that Wiggins will be able to get past his man and is able to keep his man on his back shoulder. He weaves through traffic and finishes with a finger roll.

Wiggins then squeezes into the lane and past Julius Randle, who is an unwilling help defender. With Wiggins’ man still somewhat in the play, Wiggins is able to use his strength and keep and his defender on his back hip. He then uses a finger roll at the rim because no other defender stepped up to help the drive.

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