Winger for the Warriors Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN personality, has been defeated by Andrew Wiggins.Stephen A., who said the Warriors should trade Wiggins because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine less than two months ago, doesn’t want to see the former No. 1 overall draught pick traded anywhere.Stephen A.
has recently jumped on the Warriors bandwagon, picking them to win the NBA title in 2021-22. On Thursday’s episode of ESPN’s “First Take,” host Molly Qerim asked if Stephen A. had crowned the Warriors too soon.Yes, Stephen A.
Has anointed the Warriors too soon, according to ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins, who listed other Western Conference teams that could challenge Golden State for the title.Stephen A. went over all of the teams mentioned by Perkins, including the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers, before explaining why he was so confident in the Warriors, who entered Thursday’s game in Cleveland with an NBA-best 12-2 record.
“I’ve got Stephen Curry, Klay [Thompson] coming back, and Jordan Poole has elevated his game,” Stephen A. explained. “Andrew Wiggins is having a ball.” Let’s show him some affection. Once upon a time, I would trade him for a box of cookies.
That is no longer the case. He’s fixed it, and he’s been having a good time. I got Draymond Green to start hitting perimeter shots all of a sudden. I’ve got [James] Wiseman and Klay returning. I mean, are you kidding me with Gary Payton II coming off the bench, Damion Lee coming off the bench, [Juan Toscano-Anderson] coming off the bench? I’ve got Steph Curry hitting 95 percent from the free-throw line, 40 percent or more from 3-point range, and Jordan Poole hitting 93 percent from the free-throw line, and we know he’s got a perimeter game as well. Without the basketball, these brothers move.
They have fun together. Plus, they’re a top-three defensive team, and they’re exceptionally well-coached by Steve Kerr, Mike Brown, and their coaching staff, so I have every right to stand up there and say, ‘Yo, this team’s going to the Finals,’ even in November. That is entirely legal for me to do.” This season, Wiggins has proven to be an important part of the Warriors’ success. He’s averaging 18.
1 points per game on a career-high 48 percent shooting from the field through 14 games. While Wiggins’ 3-point shooting percentage has dropped slightly from last season (38%) to this season (35%), his 55 Effective Field Goal Percentage is the highest of his career.RELATED: Stephen A. slams Kyrie, and Steph MVP chants at BarclaysWiggins has been more aggressive and confident since scoring 35 points against his former team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, on Nov. 10. That is the player the Warriors will need throughout the 2021-22 season if they are to fulfil Stephen A.’s prediction that they will win the championship in June.
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