warrior star Andrew Wiggins Writing for The Athletic, Jon Krawczynski went from underachiever to champion when Golden State won the NBA title on Thursday. Wiggins failed to consistently improve during his 2014-20 stint with Minnesota, but the former No. 1 found his niche with the Warriors this season.
“It’s a feeling I can’t describe,” said Wiggins. “That stuff motivates me every day. That put fire in my eyes. I just wanted to prove everyone wrong. Now I’m world champion. Everyone will have something to say, regardless. Whatever they say, they have to say I’m a world champion too.”
Wiggins averaged 17.2 points per game this season — the second-lowest tally of his career — and one could argue for or against picking his first All-Star team. However, his improved shooting, defense and selflessness were the main reasons Golden State won the championship. He shot 47% from the ground and a career-high 39% from deep.
Here are some other notes from the Pacific:
- LSUs Shareef O’Neal — Son of the Hall of Fame Center Shaquille O’Neal — co-planned an upcoming workout lakersas by Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link). Shaq played with the Lakers from 1996 to 2004 and won three NBA championships. Shareef is a 6ft 10in man who has also recently coached for The Heat, another team his father won a title with.
- The Athletic’s John Hollinger and Jovan Buha analyze this lakers‘ Off-season, explore Russell Westbrookthe future of , the team’s free agency prospects and more. Los Angeles has endured an injury-streaked season, finishing with the fifth-worst record in the Western Conference at 33-49.
- Expected top 5 picks Keegan Murray like the way it would fit into the kings, writes Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. The Kings own the #4 pick in the draft. “I’ve visited them, met with them, spoken to them, so I think I just fit in with them, I’m kind of a different guy who’s versatile, knows the game, and I think I just bring a winning culture with me ,” Murray said. “I feel like I have a winning mentality; not really that many distractions. Just focus on the task at hand and try to get that work done. I think I just fit in with all the other guys and bring that winning mentality.”