Why Kerr is optimistic about a bounce-back season for Wiggins on Warriors

SAN FRANCISCO The Warriors started Andrew Wiggins at shooting guard in their last two preseason games, and while nothing is decided quite yet ahead of Wednesdays regular-season opener, Wiggins appears headed to reprise that role.

In a starting-five with Steph Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Green and a center likely Trayce Jackson-Davis Wiggins ability to space the floor and to defend opposing teams best scorers will be paramount.

Coach Steve Kerr believes Wiggins, after missing two weeks of training camp and preseason because of illness, is up to the challenge.

The conditioning is looking better and better every day, Kerr said after Mondays practice.

The rhythm.

I trust Wiggs.

Its been a tough year and a half for him for a number of reasons.

But hes a guy who has won a championship and played an enormous role in that championship.

Been a 20-point scorer in the league.

We know what Wiggs can do, and I think were going to get a really good version of him this year.

Over the past two seasons, Wiggins has missed 56 regular-season games, many of which because of personal reasons.

He left the team for roughly two months in the spring of 2023 before returning for the postseason because of a personal matter.

Then last season, he missed four games at the end of February again excused for personal reasons.

The Warriors have supported Wiggins through his issues.

This summer, his dad, Mitchell, died.

After Wiggins personal trauma, Kerr said he believes the veteran has a renewed sense of focus and engagement.

I do.

I think he feels it, Kerr said.

He worked really hard in the offseason.

Theres a little bit of closure with his dads passing.

As difficult as everything has been over the last couple years, I just think that when you lose someone, especially after a struggle, theres a little bit of feeling of relief because that person isnt struggling anymore.

That alone, I think, allows a person to free himself up.

And I can speak to that from experience.

I think thats a factor.

Wiggins never spoke in detail about what he was going through, and the team respected his wishes to keep things private.

Last season, Wiggins averaged a career-low 13.2 points per game.

He attempted just 11 field goals per game, also a career-low.

I know Wiggs is a very private guy and purposely doesnt want to open up about this, but I feel comfortable as his coach saying this, Kerr said.

Hes an incredible human being.

Everybody loves him so much.

Hes such a great father, great son, and hes been through a lot.

I just think that hes got some peace of mind in a way.

Despite the obvious pain that comes along with it.

Notable One of the reasons Golden States practice went so long on Sunday is because they invited Michael McFaul, the former ambassador to Russia.

McFaul, who worked in Barack Obamas administration and currently works at Stanford, is a big Warriors fan.

He brought his son, too.

Kerr had befriended McFaul through the years and asked him to speak with the Warriors.

He was great, couldnt have been better, Kerr said.

Our guys were really engaged, asked a lot of questions about whats going on around the world.

It was fantastic.

If we can provide experiences like that for our players, then weve got to take advantage of that.

Because theres a lot of people like Mike in the Bay Area who are really impressive in their field.

And its nice to be able to have access to them.

Warriors two-way guard Reece Beekman, who played for Tony Bennett at Virginia, said hes happy for his former coach in the wake of his surprise retirement.

Bennett, just 55, announced that hes stepping away from the program shortly before the college basketball season tips off.

Bennett led the Cavaliers to the national championship in 2019 one year before Beekman joined the program.

I was honestly shocked, Beekman said.

Just because I know him as a person.

And just for it to happen that quick.

I know how much he loves the game, loves the team.

The timing was a little shocking.

But I feel like hes doing whats best for himself, mentally wise, and then for the team..

This article has been shared from the original article on chicoer, here is the link to the original article.