Even in welcoming LeBron James back into the city’s good graces, the Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t taken their eyes or focus off of rookie Andrew Wiggins.
With James now penciled into a lineup that includes fellow All-Star Kyrie Irving, many have rightfully assumed the Cavs are intent on bringing in a third star the likes of Minnesota’s Kevin Love in hopes it will instantly propel them into the position of legitimately competing for an NBA title.
To a man, Cavs’ execs will tell you that is indeed the plan— so long as it does not include having to part ways with the ultra-athletic and equally versatile 19-year-old Wiggins.
If the Cavs loved Wiggins before, they must now be obsessed with him in the wake of his riveting Las Vegas Summer League performance, which included a 360-degree, behind-the-back dunk in warmups. Wiggins has averaged 16 points in leading the Cavs to back-to-back wins, but more than any of that, he has set the anticipation level for his and James’ teaming at early Jordan and Pippen like levels.
“There’s no reason or cause for worry on his part because Andrew’s not going anywhere, as far as I know and as far as the club has expressed,” Cavs coach David Blatt told ESPN. “I would think for a guy like Andrew, to have the opportunity to play with arguably one of the best players of all time, and to learn from him and to be tutored by him and to play alongside him, I gotta think that’s a tremendous boost to his confidence and his comfort level and probably his motivation.”
Wiggins hasn’t had the chance to greet James since he four-time league MVP announced he was returning to his Cleveland roots, but clearly he’s already started to be influenced by him. In an opening game matchup against No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker, Wiggins finished with a game-high 18 points and three rebounds. Even more impressively, he carried himself with the poise and grace of a seasoned veteran.
It’s been proof enough for the Cavs’ to know they’ve made the right decision and team officials openly admit they have assured the rookie swingman he will not be moved— not even for the sure fold contributions the likes of an All-Star such as Love can bring.
For his part, Wiggins seems to take it all in stride, almost as easily as he breathtakingly rises to the basket on one of his patented forays to the hoop.
“LeBron is the best player in the game,” said Wiggins. “It’s been an exciting day. Hearing the good news, that was a great feeling. It’s not all going to be LeBron. He has backup. He has me, Kyrie, Tristan (Thompson), AB (Bennett). He has a lot of people on the team that can score and do whatever to help.”
Must be good to be a Cavs’ fan.
