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Mid-Week Matchup: Timberwolves vs. Thunder

By Max Neuhaus

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 22: Andrew Wiggins #22, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves pose for portraits during the 2017 Media Day on September 22, 2017 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx Courts at Mayo Clinic Square in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JULY 11: Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder is greeted by Thunder fans on July 11, 2017 at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder acquired George from the Indiana Pacers in a trade. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JULY 11: Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder is greeted by Thunder fans on July 11, 2017 at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder acquired George from the Indiana Pacers in a trade. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Small Forward: Paul George vs. Andrew Wiggins

If Andrew Wiggins looked into a magic mirror and asked what he would look like down the road if he developed like we think he will, he might just see Paul George staring back at him.

I feel like I have used the word elite in every comparison so far, but that just shows how good these two teams are. George is an (here comes that word again) elite player and top-15 guy just like Jimmy Butler. His top two seasons have come during the last two years after working his way back from one of the most gruesome injuries you will see on a basketball court in breaking his leg during a Team U.S.A. scrimmage.

The mere fact that he was able to get back onto the court after that injury is amazing. He has averaged 23.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game in his two full years since.

Wiggins, on the other hand, is coming up on his tail fast; the main thing that Wiggins needs is time. Some people think it will take two or three years for him to turn into what he will be while other think this year is the year he explodes. Either way, when he finally does make the leap, he will be putting his name in the Butler and George ranking area.

What Wigs is now is a scorer — a very good scorer, but still a one-dimensional player. He has increased his points per game from 16.9 his rookie year to 20.7 his sophomore campaign and then 23.6 last season. He is a career 45 percent 3-point shooter and has seen his effective field goal percentage rise each year.

Wiggins’ potential is sky-high and he will continue to improve. George, however, is already there. While the former Kansas Jayhawk might turn out to be the better player at some point in the future, PG13 is the current blueprint Wiggins should want to aspire to be.

Advantage: Paul George

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