October 21st 2024.
The Golden State Warriors have been making some interesting changes to their lineup during the preseason. In their last two games, they started Andrew Wiggins at shooting guard and it seems that this may be a permanent move. With the regular season opener coming up on Wednesday, the team is still finalizing their starting five, but it looks like Wiggins is set to take on this new role.
Playing alongside Steph Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green, and a center (most likely Trayce Jackson-Davis), Wiggins' ability to spread the floor and defend against top scorers will be crucial for the team's success. Head coach Steve Kerr is confident that Wiggins is ready for the challenge, despite missing two weeks of training camp and preseason due to illness.
After Monday's practice, Kerr shared his thoughts on Wiggins' progress, saying, "His conditioning is improving every day and his rhythm is coming back. I have full trust in Wiggs. He's had a tough year and a half for various reasons, but he's a player who has been a part of a championship team and has averaged 20 points per game in the league. We know what he's capable of and I believe we'll see a great version of him this season."
Unfortunately, Wiggins has had to miss a significant number of games in the past two seasons, mostly due to personal reasons. In 2023, he took a two-month leave from the team to deal with a personal matter and last season, he missed four games in February for the same reason. The Warriors have been supportive of Wiggins during these difficult times, especially after the passing of his father, Mitchell, this summer.
Kerr believes that Wiggins' personal struggles have given him a renewed sense of focus and determination. "I do. I think he feels it," he shared. "He worked really hard in the offseason and with his dad's passing, there is a sense of closure. As difficult as the past couple of years have been, losing someone after a long struggle can bring a sense of relief. I know that from experience. I think that has played a role in freeing him up mentally. And that's a factor."
Wiggins has chosen to keep his personal issues private and the team has respected his wishes. Last season, he averaged a career-low of 13.2 points per game and attempted only 11 field goals per game, also a career-low. Kerr praised Wiggins as an incredible human being and shared, "He's a great father, great son, and he's been through a lot. Despite the obvious pain, I think he has found some peace of mind."
In other news, the Warriors had a special guest at their practice on Sunday, former ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul. A big fan of the team, McFaul brought his son along and Kerr, who has known him for years, invited him to speak to the players. "He was great, our guys were really engaged, asking a lot of questions about world affairs. It was fantastic," Kerr said. "We have to take advantage of opportunities like this to provide our players with unique experiences. There are many impressive people like Mike in the Bay Area and it's great to have access to them."
On a personal note, Warriors' two-way guard Reece Beekman, who played for Tony Bennett at the University of Virginia, shared his thoughts on Bennett's surprise retirement. The 55-year-old coach led the Cavaliers to a national championship in 2019, a year before Beekman joined the team. "I was shocked," he admitted. "Knowing him as a person, it was surprising to see it happen so quickly. But I believe he is doing what's best for himself and for the team."
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