MY ACCOUNT
Draymond Green described Andrew Wiggins as a player you want in the big occasions after his star turn in Game 5 of the NBA Finals put the Golden State Warriors on the cusp of championship glory.
Wiggins contributed 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Klay Thompson had 21 points as the Warriors scored a 104-94 win against the Boston Celtics on home court to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
It was a particularly valuable contribution from Wiggins in the context of an off night for superstar Stephen Curry, who had scored 43 points in the Game 4 triumph in Boston.
Curry had 16 points and laid on eight assists but surprisingly went 0-for-9 from three-point range, ending his record run of at least one three in a postseason game at 132, and ending his streak of regular and post-season combined at 233.
Green concedes Wiggins has had to grow in stature with the Warriors but says he is now the kind of player to excel on the big occasions.
“I think he started to feel it out, but coming into this year, he was an All-Star starter for a reason,” Green said.
“He defended very well. He scored the ball very well and really just plugged right in. Like it wasn’t like ‘oh, you need to call a set for him every time’. He’s kind of been getting it. He’s continued to do that.
“I think the bigger the challenge has been that we’ve thrown in front of him, the bigger he’s responded. You want a guy like that, when the stage gets big, they respond and play their best basketball, and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Wiggins was able to reflect on a special moment, and said the celebrations from the likes of Klay Thompson at his performance were a sign of the “love” among the roster.
“It’s something I dreamt about for sure, being in the league, and this is the ultimate stage. It doesn’t get bigger than this. I was out there being aggressive. It was a good game,” Wiggins said.
“That’s [the celebrations] love. That’s what makes it all work. We all support each other, and we want to see each other do good and succeed. That’s why we’re here.”
Asked how he earned the respect of his team, Wiggins added: “Before I even got here, they have been great.
“You know, things that worked for them. And I feel like I’m pretty easy going, so I just came in here and hoop. I’m playing basketball, and I’m playing hard, and I feel like people respect that. And I’m just trying to win.
“At the end of the day, no matter what it takes or whatever they need from me, I’m here to help them win.”
