KEY POINTS

  • Andrew Wiggins promises to use criticism as motivation to play better
  • Wiggins needs to prove he is worth the $147 million contract he currently owns
  • Wiggins has to show consistency to help the Warriors perform better

Consistency is what critics feel that Andrew Wiggins of the Golden State Warriors lacks.

The 2014 first-round selection has been often criticized for his NBA career run although he has been putting up good numbers.

The latest one to take a shot at the 26-year-old cager is ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.

For those closely monitoring the sports world, hearing Smith’s comments is nothing new. His latest one was on Wiggins.

"I'd give [Andrew Wiggins] away for a box of cookies. I'm not talking about his talent ... but for every one game he's significant, there are 20 games where it ain't there," Smith stated.

Some players often shrug that off, but Wiggins got the chance to respond to Smith. He is aware that it comes with the job and gave a classy response to the ESPN analyst via Mark Medina of USA Today.

“There’s always going to be people that are going to say negative things, constructive criticism or not,” Wiggins said. “Some things are positive. Some things are negative. But I’m going to keep pushing either way.”

Wiggins drew the ire of Smith following a poor performance against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Dubs were routed by the Mavs with him shooting just 3-of-11 from the field and failing to convert a single three-pointer (0-of-4).

For the season, the 6-foot-7 player has played in 67 games, averaging 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.

But the ability to come out regularly and drop big numbers is something that Wiggins has been criticized for since entering the league in 2014.

Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors
Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors Getty Images | Rich Schultz

Most brand Wiggins as someone who has underwhelmed. He had his share of good nights with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Warriors.

However, most feel that for someone who owns a huge contract ($147 million through five years), the former NBA top pick needs to do better.

Wiggins is in the third year of that five-year deal, and NBA fans are eager to see if he will be staying in the Bay Area for the rest of the way.

At this point, the Dubs could get some help from Wiggins, not just for one game but regularly.

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