Why Andrew Wiggins may be the next Kawhi Leonard
By Trey Flynn
Andrew Wiggins has been unjustly criticized over the duration of his short career, who will stick up for him?
Leave it to us.
The Ninja of the North, Andrew Wiggins, has been a silent killer over his short – but fruitful – NBA career. He has been painted with a broad demeaning brush creating an infamous persona around the NBA.
More from Timberwolves News
- The dream starting 5 for Minnesota Timberwolves 5 years from now
- Anthony Edwards’ latest accolade is a great sign of things to come
- In an OT thriller, Team Canada snatches Bronze from Team USA
- Timberwolves start, bench, cut: Mike Conley, Shake Milton, Jordan McLaughlin
- Which Timberwolves roster additions have upgraded the bench?
Whether it’s Wiggins’ quiet nature, facial expressions, or just his apparent lack of wanting social interactions. The ninja continues to be indirectly and/or directly criticized by fans and media alike, such as The Ringer does below:
"VIA, The Ringer“he wears the kind of emotionless mask that is bound to attract skepticism about his effort and passion. Guys like Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard were or are successful, so they’re considered efficient machines, unencumbered by the frailties of anxiety or overexuberance … If Wiggins does not improve, even if his deficiencies have nothing to do with mental toughness, it’s likely his impassivity will get the same scrutiny.”"
It’s an interesting contrast that is made between Andrew Wiggins and Spurs heroes, Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard. Both of whom are nationally coveted for their lack of emotion and efficient play. Although, the contrast falls short due to the unjustified rhetoric facing Andrew Wiggins.
Are these consistent statements by the media simply because Wiggins plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves who have had a champion-less organization, with only one division title? Most likely.
Shout out – 2004 MVP/Division Title Winner, Kevin Garnett
For the sake of this article, let’s sell that quote about Wiggins and Leonard having only their personalities as a similarity. To make this as fair as possible, it would only be right to compare Leonard and Wiggins around the same age of twenty-two or twenty-three years old, and/or looking at their second/third seasons in the NBA.
2013-14 Real Plus-Minus – Small Forwards
| RK | NAME | TEAM | GP | MPG | ORPM | DRPM | RPM | WINS |
| 1 | LeBron James | MIA | 77 | 37.7 | 8.65 | 0.43 | 9.08 | 19.87 |
| 2 | Kevin Durant | OKC | 81 | 38.5 | 6.27 | 0.15 | 6.42 | 17.63 |
| 3 | Andre Iguodala | GS | 63 | 32.4 | 1.89 | 4.74 | 6.63 | 11.47 |
| 4 | Paul George | IND | 80 | 36.2 | 0.16 | 2.58 | 2.74 | 8.88 |
| 5 | DeMarre Carroll | ATL | 73 | 32.1 | 1.29 | 1.92 | 3.21 | 8.10 |
| 6 | Chandler Parsons | HOU | 74 | 37.6 | 1.37 | 0.59 | 1.96 | 7.59 |
| 7 | Luol Deng | CHI/CLE | 63 | 35.1 | 1.15 | 1.82 | 2.97 | 7.00 |
| 8 | Kawhi Leonard | SA | 66 | 29.1 | 0.89 | 2.13 | 3.02 | 6.56 |
| *15 | *Andrew Wiggins (2017-18) | *MIN | 69 | 36.2 | 0.19 | -1.47 | -1.28 | 2.92 |
Using the real plus-minus (RPM) for the 2013-14 NBA regular season, 2017-18 Wiggins doesn’t seem far off from Kawhi Leonard type stardom. RPM wins averages a players contribution to his team’s win total on the season; This specific RPM also includes the number of possessions played during a win.
Using advanced metrics in the form of real plus-minus (RPM) and player efficiency rating (PER), we estimate what a player does for their team. Wiggins is extremely close to what Leonard looked like on the stat sheet around the same regular season experience in the NBA using RPM, but how-about using PER?
Efficiency may be the most underrated aspect of a players contribution to a teams success. In Kawhi Leonard’s career, he has been envied for his PER (averaging in the top ten throughout his career). Although, around their second seasons (starting) in the NBA, Leonard’s PER was around:19.01 – While Andrew Wiggins came in at: 16.52.
Both playing extremely efficient for their teams, during their respected seasons. The main difference being – Leonard’s second season starting (2013-14), consisted of an NBA championship/Finals MVP, and that same year, the Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t make the playoffs.
Not long after, the Timberwolves traded their star, Kevin Love. For who else but the first pick in the 2014 NBA Draft – Andrew Wiggins.
Could it be that everything that has deterred Andrew Wiggins from Kawhi Leonard’s young success was just, timing? Andrew Wiggins has been through it all at a young age, so it’s quite possible.
Being unwanted by the Cleveland Cavaliers while simultaneously thrown into the LeBron James frenzy, soon after being traded to the Timberwolves who hadn’t been to the playoffs for a decade (now going on thirteen seasons). Finally, having three head coaches in four years of basketball – all of this could really hurt your potential legacy.
While Kawhi Leonard joined a star-studded dynasty team, led by future hall of fame head coach – Gregg Popovich.
Andrew Wiggins has all the signs of being a perennial all-star, not so far off from the likes of a Kawhi Leonard type player. Whether its Wiggins’ size, length, athletic ability, IQ, hustle, or even his ability to have a “Kobe” like mentality at the end of a game – coming off as calm, cool, and collected.
Watch Wiggins as he and the Timberwolves try to take down the San Antonio Spurs tonight on NBA TV.
Related Story: Wiggins deserves more
The Ninja from the North may surprise the NBA in the upcoming future.