Minnesota Timberwolves fans have plenty to be thankful for in 2019-20

The rise of Wiggins

Entering the 2019-2020 season, optimism for a Wiggins renaissance was nearing an all-time low.

The combination of offseason trade rumors and an uninspiring preseason left many wondering whether this would be the end of any hope for Wiggins to reach the potential that has followed him throughout his collegiate and NBA career.

Thus far, Wiggins response to his critics has been nothing short of remarkable. In what has admittedly been a limited sample size, Wiggins is on pace for career-highs in points per game, rebounds, assists, and true shooting percentage.

The turnaround of what appeared to many as a lost cause, and overall a disappointing career for Wiggins, has been the highlight of Saunders’ tenure as head coach.

As shown by his willingness to bench Wiggins in his moments of apathy, Saunders’ connection with Wiggins has seemed to help him reach a side of Wiggins previously unattainable to any former coaches. With the support of Rosas and his relationship with Wiggins, Saunders has successfully encouraged Wiggins to adopt the team’s new style of play, leading to an increase in attempts in the paint and behind the arc, at the expense of his woebegone mid-rangers.

In Wiggins’ 13 games played, shots within 10 feet and beyond the 3-point line have accounted for 81 percent of his shot attempts, with the remaining 19 percent of his attempts coming from the mid-range, per Basketball Reference.

These numbers support the eye-test of many NBA pundits, who have noticed a more engaged Wiggins. Rather than settling for mid-range pull-up jumpers as he has in previous seasons, Wiggins has been attacking the rim with greater ferocity and is using his improved ballhandling to help explode past defenders.

Along with his improved shot selection, Wiggins’ playmaking has been a boon for a Wolves offense lacking playmakers. With greater spacing throughout the half-court offense, Wiggins has found increased room to penetrate defenses before kicking the ball out to open teammates behind the arc.

Hesitance to accept Wiggins’ early performance as sustainable remains throughout the Wolves’ fanbase. If this is but a temporary peak in Wiggins’ career, Wolves fans should embrace his performances while they can.

If these performances are not temporary, and Wiggins continues to ascend to the second star the Wolves have dreamed of, fans had better acquire residence on Wiggins Island while they still can.