Why Wiggins’ five-year Warriors tenure deserves its flowers

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Why Wiggins’ five-year Warriors tenure deserves its flowers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

He arrived to the Warriors labeled as a player who never reached his potential as a former No. 1 overall draft pick, and left as someone who always should be revered by the fan base, the same way he was by teammates, coaches and the entire locker room.

Headlines will be centered around the Warriors and Miami Heat reportedly agreeing to a trade Wednesday that brings Jimmy Butler to Golden State, but Andrew Wiggins will not be forgotten.

The human element of the NBA trade deadline can be cruel. Wiggins was on the Delta Center floor getting shots up before the Warriors were set to play the Utah Jazz, when word began spreading of his new reality. Wiggins was about to be on the move again.

Warriors assistant coach Jacob Rubin wrapped his arms around Wiggins, hugging his now former player. Soon after, Warriors players warming up were sent back to the locker room. Media members were kicked out of their allotted locker-room time and coach Steve Kerr addressed a group that had to say goodbye to four players they’ve grown close with, some longer than others.

“Wiggs just had a baby boy last week,” a dejected Kerr told reporters after the Warriors crumbled in the final three minutes and lost to the Jazz, 131-128. “Wiggs is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. Just a beautiful soul. Just a wonderful human being.

“We don’t hang that banner in ‘22 without him. Everything he brings every single day – the laughter, the smile, the joy – just a wonderful human being. I’m going to miss him.”

Not one for many words and long answers at the podium, Wiggins was loved the moment he became a Warrior. He wasn’t low maintenance, he was no maintenance. His smile seemed to have an extra gleam and a little more shine than anybody else. And with the respect Wiggins earned and gave, the Warriors stuck by him.

Through him wrestling with his vaccination status ahead of what became Wiggins’ first NBA All-Star season and first time being able to call himself a champion. Through him missing chunks of games due to…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-wiggins-five-warriors-tenure-225246132.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-05 22:52:00

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