Since voicing his goal to make All-Star and All-Defensive team as well as the 2024 Olympics, Andrew Wiggins has been off to a mighty slow start this season.
In nine games, the Warriors forward is averaging 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 25.7 minutes.
If he kept that up for a whole season it would be his career low in scoring.
The 28-year-old’s shooting has also dipped, as well as his usually rock-solid defense.
Wiggins took extended time off at the back end of last season because his dad was enduring health issues.
He seems to have struggled to return to form since.
“You watch [Wiggins] right now and sometimes he looks preoccupied,” NBC Sports’ Monte Poole said on 95.7 The Game. “When you say ‘slow start,’ that’s an understatement. He’s not been anywhere near the player he is and can be. There have only been flashes so far. I think this homestand is going to be bigger for [Wiggins] than anyone on the team.”
The Warriors will now play a whopping ten games in a row at home, starting with the Cavs on Saturday.
Despite Wiggins’ performance slump, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn’t seem too concerned. Yet.
“Wiggs is coming,” Kerr said on 95.7 The Game. “Wiggs will be fine. Just so happens that the struggle he’s going through is at the very beginning of the season when everybody’s paying attention … If you go through this in February, it’s not nearly as big of a deal.”
If the Warriors do want to secure another championship, they need all their best player firing on all cylinders.
Wiggins was the Warriors best player in their 2022 championship season behind Steph Curry, so hopefully we can see him return to his former glory.