SAN FRANCISCO – Andrew Wiggins is scheduled to return to the Bay Area on Monday, rejoin the Warriors for practice on Tuesday and play on Wednesday. If he needs to leave again on Thursday, that will be understood and accepted.
If someone on the team needs to leave due to serious family issues, that is understood and accepted.
“I’m not worried about the basketball part,” coach Steve Kerr said after practice Tuesday. “Life is much more important than the game. The important thing is that if any of our players are in a life situation where they need to be with their family, they are going to go there.
“We just want everyone to stay safe and give us the space we need. That’s always going to be the case in the way we operate.”
Wiggins’ vacation lasted a week. He missed four games, three of which the Warriors won. While he was away for his family’s personal reasons, they managed to complete the road trip successfully by any reasonable standard.
It’s important to note that Wiggins, Golden State’s starting small forward, remained involved during the road trip. He attended several workouts and followed the Warriors’ swing through Eastern Conference teams in Washington, New York, Toronto and Boston. He liked what he saw.
“We’re on an upward trend,” Wiggins said. “We found something good. We found the identity that we were looking for. We put together parts that work well, and it’s been special the last few games. Everybody played well and , we’re playing together and we’re like the real Golden State Warriors.”
The “real” Golden State Warriors have a roster full of players who can contribute. The “real” Warriors are playing their best basketball during the most important period of the regular season. The “real” Warriors believe they are capable of more than just making the playoffs.
The “real” Warriors expect all of the highest-paid players and coaches in the NBA to play well while also being sensitive to their personal needs.
Still, there’s no doubt that Wiggins’ return is a boost. After a sub-par first half by his standards, Wiggins has scored in double figures in 14 of his last 16 games while also providing excellent defense on the perimeter.
He’s starting to look more like the “real” Andrew Wiggins, and the Warriors are significantly better at that.
That’s why he will play, and likely start, Wednesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks invade Chase Center.
“We feel comfortable,” Kerr said. “Let’s see how many minutes it takes. You can’t really simulate an NBA game (on the road), so let’s see how he holds up. But physically, There are no problems and I can play tomorrow.”
Neither he nor Kerr provided details about the absence, but whatever it was that affected Wiggins enough to pull him from the job.
“Just taking care of the things that I had to attend to and attending the things that I had to attend to,” Wiggins said of his time away. “I think this is the right time to come back. I felt like that. So I’m back here with the team and ready to work on it.”
What remains are pertinent questions related to Wiggins’ thinking. Will he be able to fully focus on his basketball responsibilities every moment of the game? Will he be able to perform the mental exercises required to perform at a high level?
Regardless of the sport, some athletes can be negatively affected by events away from the court or field. It’s the same way that some employees in any job find it difficult to stay on task during work hours as stress increases in their personal lives.
One thing Wiggins knows and feels certain about is that his workplace is a safe space.
“When you’re around the team, it’s all love and support,” he said. “This is family. I missed the players and basketball while I was away. I’m glad to be back.”
Wiggins’ happiness requires attention and conditions. He’s been through this before, and his experience shows us that things can change quickly. That was clear when asked if the issues he raised on Tuesday had been resolved.
“Not exactly,” he said. “But I will make the most of each day.”
There could come a time, perhaps this week, next week or next month, when Wiggins will have to make another decision about whether to stay with his teammates or return to his family. It’s comforting to know that either decision is acceptable.
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