- Editor’s note: Reporter Kendra Andrews will look at the players on the Warriors’ roster that will make or break their return to championship contention.
About two weeks ago, the burning question surrounding Andrew Wiggins was very different. And that's good news for the Warriors.
A few weeks ago, Wiggins' status for Warriors' home games was up in the air due to the forward's reluctance to get the COVID vaccine. The answer to whether or not Wiggins would be able to play in half the Warriors' games could have shifted the entire trajectory of Golden State's season.
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But with Wiggins vaccinated and therefore eligible to play in every game this season, the Warriors' outlook remains the same.
And now that Wiggins will once again be a key piece to the Warriors' rotation he has a different burning question.
Burning question
Will he be as consistent as he was last season?
Golden State Warriors
Last season was one of Wiggins' best since he entered the league. Sure, he averaged the fourth-least amount of points in his career, but that's what the Warriors need him to produce: supplementary scoring. In Minnesota, he was asked to be the star.
Wiggins played in all but one game last season and finished in double-digit scoring in all but two of those games. He had the steady hand for Golden State and was the Warriors' best player not named Steph Curry.
His performance was a bit of a revelation. There were questions surrounding Wiggins' work ethic and accountability when he was with the Timberwolves, but everything seemed to click with Golden State.
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Now, with the Warriors welcoming in several new faces and their sights set on making a competitive run in the playoffs, they need Wiggins to prove that everything is still clicking, last season wasn't a one-off, and he can continue to take strides in his career.
For the Warriors to contend ...
Wiggins needs to be as consistent as he was last season and remain the third or fourth scoring option.
With the emergence of Jordan Poole in the preseason and additions of Otto Porter Jr. and Nemanja Bjelica, there is going to be less pressure on Wiggins to score as much, but it's still important that he puts up consistent numbers.
It's also important that he continues the strong defense he had last season. Individually, Wiggins had one of his best defensive seasons of his career, boasting a 111 defensive rating. Wiggins tallied one block in nearly every game -- finishing the season with 70 blocks through 71 games.
However, his team defense needs improving, and if the Warriors want to make it deep in the postseason, this is a must from Wiggins.