Warriors destroy Mavericks in Game 1: Playoff Wiggins has been unleashed

WIGGINS ISLAND IS ACCEPTING NEW VISAS!

The Golden State Warriors humiliated the Dallas Mavericks 112-87 in Game 1 of the 2022 Western Conference Finals. Chase Center was rocking, and the Dubs are three wins away from returning back to the NBA Finals. Not bad for a team some of the analytics geniuses predicted would be turrible *Charles Barkley voice*.

Guru @DrGuru_

According to @FiveThirtyEight, the Warriors have the lowest chance of winning the Finals among the remaining teams (7%). Would be one of the greatest underdog stories ever if they pull this off.

I really don’t know why people keep doubting Golden State with such indignation.

Speaking of horrendous takes, in my time on the interwebs (and barbershops) I’ve seen some fans become very embarrassed/upset when you take their old, erroneous takes and throw them back in their faces like tomatoes hurled at a bad comedian.

I’ve never understood that lack of humility. What’s wrong with being roasted for being hilariously wrong? Heck, if you look at the top two articles in DNHQ history they’re literally titled “My Worst Take” (with my emotional Monta > Steph take holding the top spot). I believe those pieces resonate with people because they can have fun either relating to or crucifying someone else’s strongly held opinion with the benefit of hindsight.

Capturing those takes when they’re fresh and sussing them out down the road for how much sense they did or didn’t make is an art form. It’s not just about dunking on the opinions that time eventually reveals to be trash, or breathlessly worshipping those who saw the future early. It’s more about being grateful that those data points give us a databank of history from which we can learn the way fellow sportsball watchers come to conclusions… and reveal to us our own biases.

For example, I can tell you for sure that Nick Wright is paid to say the most inflammatory possible thing when the Warriors are involved for clickbait’s sake. You’re probably thinking I’m referring to his most recent cartoonish prediction of “Mavericks in 5”. But after last night’s win, I’m pondering this other insane clip:

First Things First @FTFonFS1

"Andrew Wiggins is a bad basketball player. He's owed $95M over the next 3 years, starting next year. It's unspeakable the Warriors did this. ... It's over for them now. We will never see Steph in another NBA Finals again. Ever." — @getnickwright

At the time this buffoonery came out, I was immediately alarmed to see a large swath of members of Dub Nation echoing his hyperbolically panicky stance when the Warriors acquired Andrew Wiggins. This guy pays his bills by coming up with the stupidest disrespectful takes on the Warriors; why on earth would an extremely vocal portion GSW fanbase fall in lockstep with his talking points?

Wiggins spent the last 3 seasons in every single trade fever dream in large part because people truly believed that the former Minnesota Timberwolf’s failure to match the lofty expectations of a former #1 pick and his giant salary would destroy Steph Curry’s chances at another title.

Brady Klopfer @BradyKlopferNBA

I *almost* like a DLo for Wiggins trade for the Warriors. The only thing that makes me hesitant is the whole Wiggins being a bad player thing. Otherwise it’s perfect.

Marc Stein @TheSteinLine

The Warriors clearly believe that bringing Andrew Wiggins into a winning environment -- something he has really never experienced -- will take him to a new level. They will face no shortage of skepticism ...

That’s why I knew it was important to immediately document this handwringing fervor for future posterity. Voila! The second most popular article in DNHQ history was born:

My Worst Take: Examining the Andrew Wiggins trade after three games

Our guy Duby Dub Dubs now appreciates the Wiggins Island experience, and it has a lot to do with performances like the one Wiggs put up in Game 1 last night. Per NBA.com tracking data, Wiggins limited the Mavericks to 7-of-17 shooting from the field when he was locked on them. Unguardable superstar Luka Doncic shot 4-of-10 from the field (3-of-7 from downtown) with three turnovers with Wiggins guarding him.

𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙞𝙣’ 𝙉𝘽𝘼 @_Talkin_NBA

"Andrew [Wiggins] is an all-NBA defender. He should be all-defense" — Klay Thompson

Wiggins did a fantastic job of picking up Doncic well above the three-point line and staying with him. Doncic, the man some are referring to as “White Harden”, hunted switches with more desirable defenders like Jordan Poole. When Doncic recognizes he can’t get anything out of the switch (we’re not trash like Phoenix buddy), he tries to blow by Wiggins and can’t hold on the ball.

And here’s Wiggins forcing Doncic away from the screen he wants and chasing him into no man’s land in the paint. Wiggins deflects the desperate pass attempt and the Dubs are off to the races.

Doncic finished with 20 points on 6-of-18 shooting from the field and 7 turnovers. He was a ghastly -30 plus/minus from the field. Wiggins was a key part of that disastrous performance.

But it wasn’t just elite defense we saw from Wiggins last night. He scored 19 points with 5 rebounds on 8-of-17 shooting and knocked down 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, finishing a +28 plus/minus. I’m liking this shot chart from Wiggins:

Tim Kawakami @timkawakami

Doncic 20 points on 18 shots Wiggins 19 points on 17 shots The Warriors will take this every game if they could get it. Would be a short series.

PLAYOFF R/WWWWWWWWAVERICKS @redditmavericks

TO BE FAIR THAT IS ALL STAR STARTER ANDREW WIGGINS

All of us on Wiggins Island have watched with glee as our guy has morphed from “Two-Way Wiggs”, to “All-Star Starter Wiggs”, to Doncic’s worst nightmare: PLAYOFF WIGGS.

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater

Big time half from Andrew Wiggins in his conference finals debut. Team-high 15 points on 6/8 FG, plus he's the point man against Doncic on defense. Warriors are a +16 in his minutes.

Grant Liffmann @GrantLiffmann

Andrew Wiggins was made for the Western Conference Finals

Let me be perfectly clear: the Warriors have PLENTY of work to do in this series. All they did so far was protect home court in a series that I’m sure will be full of adjustments and tough moments. It is the Western Conference Finals after all.

But if all goes well…the next evolution I can dream of is Finals MVP Wiggs. Don’t just take my word for it; take me and Dr. Tom’s word for it! In last year’s season review for Wiggins we had this thought:

Daniel: We were two of the early settlers of Wiggins Island. From the day he was first traded to the Warriors, you and I have been very vocally supportive of his presence in the Golden State. Just ask Draymond Green’s trainer! I must say I'm proud of our investment.

Dr. Tom: I mean, this is just our victory lap, isn’t it?

Daniel: I mean I feel like the lap could have been a bit more enjoyable had he won Finals MVP this year, but we'll have to wait till next season for that.

Jim Park🏀🌌 @Sheridanblog

Wiggins is rewriting his own history as we speak. He's a high-impact player for a championship contender right now. I know people don't like wild changes, but we're here. Accept it. It's okay.