I believe that there are certain advantages to analyzing the NBA based mostly on stats as opposed to watching games. But there's disadvantages also, as there's certain things that will inevitably skip your attention. For instance, not until Draymond Green made headlines talking about him a few days ago, it never really registered to me that Andrew Wiggins has been absent for an extended period of time. So with that in mind, it's understandable why the Warriors aren't as formidable as they were this time last season, for three reasons. #1 - While Draymond, Steph and Klay were dealing with their respective injury issues, Wiggins was the all-star constant. #2 - He was officially an All-Star last season, and #3, his midrange game balances out the Splash Bros. (including Poole) tendency to chuck up three-pointers.
Due to the rumors surrounding his absence, it's understandable why the mainstream media isn't harping on it. But I think it's something deeper than that - that they just don't appreciate how much value he brings to the Dubs. Whether Harrison Barnes, Andre Igoudala, KD or Wiggins, the Dubs always needed an effective SF to go along with the Splash Bros. + Draymond.
But one thing I've noticed about the NBA media is that once a player is in the doghouse, it's almost impossible for him to get out. Russell Westbrook be deadass averaging triple-doubles, and they still be talking about him like he's garbage (though now, they're slowly seeing the light). DeMarcus Cousins is arguably more effective than most Cs playing today, but I believe he's not active due to running afoul with the media. And Wiggins also developed a bad reputation before leaving the Timberwolves - for not shooting three-pointers or some shit - to the point where some these mainstream halfwits were even trying to deny him from making the All-Star Game last season.
And that's just my way of saying that I find it odd - for lack of a better word - that more emphasis isn't being placed on his absence in relation to the Dubs' lackluster performances of late. Yes, the Warriors should have never let GP3 leave to begin with. Yes, they should have vested more in developing Kuminga earlier on. Yes, by this point Poole should be getting more playing time than Klay or Steph. Yes, the Warriors should've also tried to hold onto the likes of Damion Lee and Nemanja Bjelica. And no, they should've never traded away James Wiseman. But no use crying over spilt milk. And in the grand scheme of things, Wiggins not being around can be considered more significant than all of the above as, in the very least, barring injury Golden State was banking on him being around and logging major minutes this season.
CONCLUSION
Andrew Wiggins has thus far earned in excess of $100mil, in addition to having won a championship and being an all-star. So if his personal reasons prevent him from coming back altogether, no one can say that he's a loser or anything like that. But his absence is more seismic than many fans and analysts realize.
Say what you want about the Warriors aged core or their youth movement (and believe me, I have said a lot), but he's the player who bridges those two gaps. And I already know not to ever count the Splash Bros + Draymond out. If Steph and/or Klay gets hot and Green is defending, they can beat any team or virtually any night. But maybe this will prove to be one of those situations where the world never fully appreciates a player until they see how the team performs without him.
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