Re: #1: Andrew Wiggins - G/F - Kansas University
Andrew Wiggins. A #1 Overall Pick. A freakishly athletic, 6 foot 8, and somewhat thin small forward. This is my take on the current (as of 7/18/14) Cavalier from his first 4 games of summer league.
Ball-Handling:
He's got average handles. He can dribble through traffic, can't really force-dribble into success (like tricky dribbles), and has the tendency and ability to spin-around from the right to the left as the last resort. He is able to post up to some level. He's not good enough to be a point-forward type that can create from the top of the key. The case-in-point was Blatt sent him away from the middle to the right to receive the ball from the right elbow area into scoring position. This was considered the most effective move and would've made the game extremely competitive to the end if they used it sooner. Again, he can dribble, but he can't go left. He has not shown that and has given me no reason to believe that. If you can only dribble right and can't yet create from the top of the key, no matter how athletic you are, you are a bigger (on the offensive side) Dajuan Wagner who will be able to stay in the league thanks to superior athleticism and size and other intangibles. The league will read you like a book and render your ability to create useless. But that's only the case IF you don't improve that. I see a motor in Wiggins. I don't believe for a second he won't improve this, but it will take at least half the season to kick in.
Current Grade (based on observation): C
Scoring:
His shooting ability is not just for show, thankfully. He can light it up from outside (especially if it's a set shot). He can shoot it from mid-range, where he is most effective as a step-back jump-shooter. And he has a plethora of ways to score. Bank it, lay-up, dunks and oops. He has shown to have range, but would be an extremely streaky shooter who needs a bounce in step to actually consistently hit them. All in all, there isn't much to critique since he's got a strong skill set here. The biggest weaknesses are the inability to go left (which will be 1 side of the floor when he needs it most) and lack of pure creative handles to handle pressure at the highest level and the ability to follow through efficiently. Without these two things, he'll be reduced to off-ball scoring and catch ball situations (results to drive lanes and spot up).
Current Grade: B+ (improved handles will make this A at minimum)
Facilitation:
Let's not kid ourselves. Not many forwards in the league are at the LeBron level to create shots for others like pure point guards. But Andrew is not a black hole a la Corey Maggette. This means that the opportunity to excel will always be there. And he doesn't need to score to be a threat. While he won't be as effective presently if he doesn't score, he won't be seen as a one trick pony compared to some of the other forwards on offense. He moves the ball if nothing is there and doesn't stick with it too long. Which brings us to another positive: He's extremely aware. That's what's need to have the ability to facilitate and not just pass as a last resort. But this is not a strong point of his game anymore than handling. Both can be improved in time.
Current Grade: C (potential signs are there)
Inside-Out:
He has size, but speed as well. If he needs to, he can start out with post opportunity to be effective creating offensively in the league. Or can float outside to drive or step-back. Unfortunately, none of this is heavily developed since he's been somewhat reduced to just standing and watching when something that resembles NBA defense starts knocking (Rockets Summer League). But once the play-calls are made, he can force the issue, but it's effect is still unknown, except for the basics (IMO).
Current Grade: B-/C+ (I'd like to see more, so it's rather incomplete)
Off-Ball:
He is an NBA-level player in this skill set. Thanks to the teaching he's received, he will make an impact, regardless of loose-balls, off-ball picks, curls, or just plain mayhem.
Current Grade: A (can potentially make A+/Superstar Level based on the circumstance)
Defense:
OMG. This guy already shows LeBron tendencies defensively. The patented chase-down blocks of Prince/LBJ... The desire to call the number and defend the best player at the end of games. Playing the lanes, filling them, and then some?! He's already a master of disruption. I give a large credit to that athleticism, but he's also aware at all times to make plays while they're still on-going, like defending the player and blocking his shot before he even is in the air to shoot it. This guy has limitless potential, and has already the defense of an all-star. He can do more, which is scary in itself...
Current Grade: A+ (borderline S rank, just need to grow into an NBA player a little further)
Overall Thoughts:
Personally, regardless of if he's here or not, he has the signs of superstar potential. I think he could grow quicker if he's given more responsibility, so going to T-Wolves will hurt if traded but may be the thing he needs to breakout. Or he could develop into a winning player and eventually, slowly, but surely creates his own legend as an elite player with elite skillets but super-jack of all trades as well. So, he could go the T-Mac route who may become a better winner or the Pippen route who becomes better in all skills. A pick your poison in reverse (for opponents that is).
But based on summer league, I have watched good and bad players throughout the years impact the league. And some of the bad players have made significant contribution yet made no impact in summer league. But there are good players who have played within their abilities and still made an impact (not super-star impact, mind you, but clearly in a different stratosphere). A guy like Will Cherry, unfortunately plays like a poor man's Nate Robinson/Allen Iverson who doesn't have as much vision or awareness as those guys, which is a necessity. Two words: Black hole. On the other hand, Wiggins plays without forcing it and is still high efficiency (as evidenced by the baskets and fouls drawn). Biggest thing is his defense, which can show NBA level signs at Summer League. It's those differences I've written above that got me convinced he's the real deal.
Current Grade (overall): B
Good luck to wherever he goes. He'll be worth it.
