Top 5 Andrew Wiggins’ performances that justified the max contract

5.  Jan. 17, 2014. 31 Points, 9 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Blocks

Now trust me when I say we’re going to make these stats seem minuscule later on in this slideshow, but for starters, this was Wiggins’ first real proof of his stardom.

Coming in his first season, this was the first time he recorded 30+ points, and he did it while shooting 64.7 percent from the field and 80 percent from 3-point range.

His three blocks ranked first in the game, and he was the second-highest rebounder in a Timberwolves uniform.

In a season where the Timberwolves won just 16 games, Wiggins was the driving force behind this eight-point triumph over Denver, recording a +13 plus/minus.

This game showed the signs that one day, Wiggins could lead the Timberwolves to greatness. Even though since then the Towns era, the Thibodeau era and finally the Butler era have arrived, Wiggins is still the ball that started rolling first.

This wasn’t Wiggins’ highest-scoring game of the season, he had a 35-point game later in the same month, but the rebounds, assists and blocks surrounding this 31-point performance make this his best game of his Rookie of the Year season.

While it’s clear that Wiggins has improved since his rookie year, his first year in a Timberwolves uniform was an impressive one, showing he was ready to lead the Timberwolves into the future. His continued improvement is a positive sign that even after signing his max-contract extension, Wiggins won’t be slowing down anytime soon.