Andrew Wiggins: Chip on his shoulder will help his career

There once was a story of a team who betrayed a brave warrior and left her for dead. As she was on the edge of death, badly bloody and bruised, she managed to survive and exact revenge on all of her former comrades.

As she went on her rampage against everyone that slighted her, she said it best “It’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness I lack.”

That quote can also be attributed to the way Andrew Wiggins should play in his career.

Next season when suiting up for the ravenous Minnesota Timberwolves, Wiggins will have a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder. Instead of letting the weight sink him down, he should use it to motivate himself to become an All-Star caliber player.

After being selected No. 1 in the 2014 NBA Draft, The Timberwolves traded Kevin Love to the Cavaliers for a package centered around Wiggins.

It wasn’t that the trade was embarrassing, it was everything leading up to it. The lingering trading process, the rookie photo shoots, him playing in the Summer League (which he dominated) and watching him being paraded as the next great Cavalier, it could devastate any man.

For goodness sake they even announced him with the wrong name at his first press conference.

The 19-year-old’s dilemma was nationally displayed because of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Even in interviews, Wiggins didn’t know how to respond to questions about his potential time playing in Cleveland. With an interview with Bram Weinstein of ESPN Wiggins said this:

"“I just want to play for a team that wants me. So whichever team wants me I’ll play for.”"

Soon enough those feelings of embarrassment will turn into songs of gratitude. Wiggins is going to have a special rookie year for the Wolves.

Similar to the warrior mentioned earlier in the story, when most people get slighted in some way, shape or form, their natural instinct is revenge.

Motivation should be wrapped around the mind of Wiggins. Not only to prove Cleveland wrong that they made a mistake in trading him, but also to the rest of the NBA that he will be a problem moving forward.

In high school Wiggins dominated so much that he had to reclassify his eligibility just so he could start college a year earlier. Entering college, Wiggins had a freshman year that was very heralded. He made the All-American Second Team and led Kansas to the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

He averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.

The most impressive part of his game is his defense. Wiggins often guarded the opponents best perimeter player and took them out of the game.

Just as our warrior was fierce and mighty, there will be a point where it will seem hope is lost. At one point our warrior got locked inside of a coffin and then buried alive. She had to punch her way out of her coffin and eventually see the light.

When she did finally reach the surface, it was as if she had a second chance at life.

In his rookie season, there will be times that Wiggins will struggle.

People will doubt if he was even worth the trade, critics will say how he should’ve stayed in college another year, his scoring numbers will decrease, and more importantly his team will lose plenty of games.

Wiggins will have to find his inner warrior, and punch his way into his second life.

If Wiggins will work harder and press forward through these difficulties and be mentally focused and determined enough to succeed it will pay off. Fans and players of the NBA alike will be proud to watch a great player succeed and reach his potential.

His running mates next year adequately suit Wiggins game. Next season with Zach LaVine and Ricky Rubio, the opportunity for fast breaks will be there more than before in Minnesota.

Rubio — who loves to pass — will also find Wiggins plenty times in the half court game, throwing up alley oops to the sky and watching Wiggins come down like Thor dunking them with the power of thunder.

Our warrior in the story was Beatrix Kiddo, and she accomplished her goals of revenge.

Next season Wiggins will be on his path for revenge, and if he is patient enough, he too will do the same.

They say patience is bitter, but it’s reward is sweet. It might be sweet sooner than later for Wiggins.