Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wiggins: There's not 100 players better than me

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Thursday, 17 October 2019 12:20

MILWAUKEE -- Ahead of the 2019-20 NBA season, ESPN rolled out its annual list of the top 100 players in the league.

Absent from it was Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins, who doesn't agree.

"I don't really look at that too much, top 100 or not top 100," Wiggins told ESPN on Thursday. "There's not 100 players better than me, so it doesn't matter what people think. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. My job is to come out here and hoop, and that's what I'm going to do."

Wiggins, 24, is looking to have a breakout Year 6 after having heard criticism throughout his career concerning his effort, most notably after agreeing to a $147.7 million max contract extension in 2017. He averaged 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists on a career-low 41.2% shooting during the 2018-19 season, which was more focused on the public criticism and trade demands of former teammate Jimmy Butler, the firing of coach Tom Thibodeau and a "personal" element, which he wouldn't detail. He is ready to put those issues behind him.

"I would say I enjoy it more than I did last year because last year was a rough start," Wiggins said. "The joy has always been there. I've never been on the court and not wanted to play."

Since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, only to be traded a couple of months later to Minnesota as part of a deal involving Kevin Love, Wiggins has played for four different coaches.

"It's not an excuse to say it altered my play too much," Wiggins said. "Every coach is different, every coach has different playing styles, but no coach made me have a negative experience playing."

Current Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders is entering his first full season with a reshaped front office led by president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, a former Houston Rockets executive.

It helps that Saunders has a personal relationship with Wiggins.

"I don't necessarily think about how support has been. I just can only support in my own way, and that's continuing to be how I am with Andrew," Saunders said. "I've known him since he was a teenager. We've had big life moments. The guy was at my wedding, he let me know when he was gonna be a father.

"There's things that connect you on a deeper level than just being there for somebody on the basketball court," he continued. "Those conversations with players, I just like to keep to us."

Reestablishing the value of Wiggins, who has $122 million left on his contract over the next four years, will certainly be something to watch in Minnesota this season under the new regime. However, Wiggins would rather prove his worth on the court than tell it through the media.

"Everyone is counting pockets. Some people are mad about [it], some people are happy for you," Wiggins told ESPN. "That's how the world goes, especially when you've got something they don't have or do something they don't do. That's how the world goes.

"Even when I averaged almost 24 points and got the max deal, people were still saying stuff," he added. "Look at max players and some max players don't average as much, but it is what it is. I'm just trying to get right, get back on track."

Read 421 times

Soccer

Poch: Playing in MLS no barrier to U.S. selection

Poch: Playing in MLS no barrier to U.S. selection

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsST. LOUIS -- United States manager Mauricio Pochettino said that Am...

Marta nets stellar goal, sends Pride to NWSL final

Marta nets stellar goal, sends Pride to NWSL final

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Orlando Pride advanced to their first NWSL championship with a...

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

Kane: England youth give Tuchel incredible options

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane said incoming England coach Thomas Tuchel has been boost...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Grizzlies rookie Edey leaves win with ankle injury

Grizzlies rookie Edey leaves win with ankle injury

EmailPrintMemphis Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey exited during the second half of Sunday's win ov...

Cavs (15-0) stay unbeaten despite resting Mitchell

Cavs (15-0) stay unbeaten despite resting Mitchell

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Darius Garland scored 25 points, Ty Jerome matched his...

Baseball

Ted Williams' 1946 MVP award sells for over $500K

Ted Williams' 1946 MVP award sells for over $500K

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA rare souvenir postcard picturing Hank Aaron as a rookie with the...

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated