Timberwolves

2/9: What Andrew Wiggins Can Learn from Lance Stephenson, Plus Dunn, Payne Updates

Andrew Wiggins is unlikely to ever blow into LeBron James’ ear, and Lance Stephenson probably won’t be a winning team’s go-to scorer. But the 21-year-old budding star could learn something from the 26-year-old veteran, who appeared to be on his way out of the league after a strong start to his career in Indiana.

“He has great instincts,” said coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau at practice on Thursday. “Offensively he’s always been able to do a lot of different things. He can pass. He can put it on the floor. He can post up. He can play pick and roll. He can shoot. I wouldn’t say he’s a pure shooter, but he’s a scorer. He’s always been a pretty efficient scorer, and he’s got a lot of different shots he can get to. He knows how to get his shot off.”

Wiggins already knows how to create his own shot and has become the team’s go-to scorer late in games, but he’s only in his third year in the league and has less than 250 games under his belt. While Thibodeau has not called out Wiggins specifically in regards to defensive habits, he says that all his young players could improve in that department.

Stephenson relied almost solely on his habits in the nearly 20 minutes he played against Toronto on Wednesday

A big part of learning is the trial and error,” Thibodeau said in late January. “You can do it in practice, and you get a lot of repetition and you do it there, but in the games it’s important. And sometimes there is slippage, where you may not do it for 48 minutes, and that’s where you have to continue to develop those habits.”

Stephenson relied almost solely on his habits in the nearly 20 minutes he played against Toronto on Wednesday. He could not find the locker room before the game and had to remind himself to say “we” not “I” in his postgame comments. But the habits he had formed carried him throughout the game, and Thibodeau recognized him for it after the game.

“Knowing the NBA is a big plus,” said Thibodeau. “This is a great opportunity for him, and it’s gonna be what he makes of it: how hard he works, his professionalism, what kind of teammate he is, how he performs, how he helps us. That’s critical.”

“Experience is one of the biggest things you can have,” said Wiggins at practice on Thursday. “He’s been out for a little while, and he comes back in, and you couldn’t tell he’s been out. It’s like he knows the defense, he knows the offense. Once you’ve been in the league for so long, everything starts to be very similar and simplifies for you, so you know what’s going on and everything comes a lot easier.”

Wiggins has infinitely more potential than Stephenson — who, to be fair, has had his fair share of success in the league — but there are some things that can only be learned with experience. Wiggins says that he already feels more comfortable in late-game situations, having built his instincts up enough to know to pass the ball to Tyus Jones late in the Toronto game.

“Coach trusts me,” he said in regard to that final play. “He puts the ball in my hands, late game, and I just made the right decision. Tyus is clutch, he’s hit a lot of big shots in his basketball career.”

But defensively he could benefit from more experience and learn from a player like Stephenson, who relies on his habits to remain in the league.

Asked if he anticipates the day that he becomes a veteran and has the habits of a player like Stephenson, Wiggins offered a simple reply: “Definitely,” he said, laughing. “Definitely.”

Notes

  • Thibodeau said that Wiggins made the right read on the final play of the Raptors game. “I thought it was the right play,” he said. “And to trust the pass is critical. And then Tyus having the courage to take and make.”
  • Asked if it is hard for a primary scorer like Wiggins to pass the ball, Thibodeau said: “I think primary scorers, they have that responsibility. Obviously, the ball is in their hands for a reason. So if they have one-on-one coverage, and they can get to their spot, you want them to shoot. When the second defender comes, to make the right decision, and the right play.”
  • Kris Dunn appears to be getting closer to getting back on the court. “A little bit. He’s going through practice, and he’s starting to shoot a little bit more. So that’s a good sign.”
  • Adreian Payne appears to be getting better too: “Any time anyone is sick like that you’re concerned,” said Thibodeau. “First and foremost is his health. and so probably be a couple weeks before he gets back. Then he’ll have to go through conditioning again, we’re obviously pleased he’s doing better.”
  • Stephenson’s conditioning will have to improve, although that’s hard to simulate in practice. “It’s different, and he’s done a good job with his rehab and that type of conditioning,” said Thibodeau. “But there is nothing you can do to simulate a game situation, other than he has to play. Practice, you try to get it to that intensity as possible.”

Stephenson addressed the media at practice too, saying that conditioning will be important for him, but that he trusts the instincts he’s built up in his seven NBA seasons to stay productive in a new offense and continue to defend well.

And Dunn said that he should return before the All-Star Break and that he has confidence in his shot. He could be seen taking jumpers, and hitting the vast majority of them, minutes before doing the interview.

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