Minnesota Timberwolves: Is Andrew Wiggins right about Wolves fans?

After the Minnesota Timberwolves had a disappointing 123-120 overtime loss, a frustrated Andrew Wiggins explained to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic that “We’ve got some sh***y fans and we’ve got some good fans.”

Is Andrew Wiggins right about Minnesota Timberwolves fans? And after performing at a level much less than most expected this season, is Wiggins entitled to make such a statement?

It’s perhaps worth mentioning that this event took place after a disappointing 123-120 overtime loss at home to the Atlanta Hawks, who currently own one of the league’s worst records. Wiggins was the only starter for the Wolves who finished with a negative plus/minus after 40 minutes, scoring 16 points on just 36 percent shooting (5-of-12).

Wiggins also managed to make only five of 12 free throws (42 percent), including missing a pair of shots from the line in overtime that led to him being booed.

Perhaps the fans booing wasn’t an appropriate reaction, but it’s fair to expect your highest-paid player to be able to sink a lot more of his free throws, and be more dependable in close situations.

In my opinion, Wolves fans certainly had a right to be disappointed and frustrated. Dropping a game to Atlanta, at home, after a streak of two wins that showed real promise was incredibly disheartening when it seemed the team might be on the right path. Not to mention the Wolves have now lost to two tanking teams in December, the Phoenix Suns and the Hawks.

However, it also seems as though Wiggins is taking the crowd’s reaction personally. There were a lot of frustrating plays towards the end of the game that warranted the crowds’ frustration, need I mention Robert Covington’s missed dunk or Dario Saric out of bounds?

Wiggins was clearly displeased with his own performance, and took the crowds reaction to heart.

The above play was made even worse by the fact it would’ve put the Wolves up four points and instead led to a Hawks three from heralded rookie Trae Young.

An injury to Derrick Rose also compounded fans’ unhappiness, and at the end of an overall disappointing game, the supporters had a right to share their distaste with the team. However, doing so with time left on the clock wasn’t helping anyone, a home field advantage only exists if the crowd is supporting their team. And Wiggins having his every move being met with boos wouldn’t have boosted his confidence or motivation.

I don’t think fans are necessarily bad just due to expressing their frustration after a disappointing loss, however the time wasn’t right, as the crowd needed to get behind the Wolves to encourage them to perform at a higher level.

That being said, I do believe Wiggins is right that the Wolves have both good and bad fans.

A good fan will stick by the team through thick and thin. Sure, disappointment and frustration may be part of supporting a team, Wolves fans know that as much as anyone. But at the end of the day, a true Timberwolves fan will be watching the games or checking results, looking forward to the future that lies ahead for the team, and never giving up for good.

There’s still a long season ahead Wolves fans. Not all hope is lost.