NBA FINALS: CELTICS VS. WARRIORS

June 7, 2022

Andrew Wiggins

Golden State Warriors

Practice Day

Q. NBA Playoffs are always about two-way players, versatile players, typically wings. Seems as if the Finals even more so than that. It's been 15 years since a non-wing has won Finals MVP. Why do you think the Finals amplifies that to a higher level and how do you fit into the mix there?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Maybe because I feel like offensively right now it just starts with the point guard, shooting guard, small forward. That's how the offense usually starts. Same thing on defense kind of; you're picking up full court. I feel like the offense begins with the PG.

Q. What do you think were the biggest defensive changes in that last game, especially with Gary's versatility to kind of guard multiple positions?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I feel like that was a big one. GP on the court, he affects the game in so many ways because he's capable of guarding 1 through 3. He can make it miserable for a lot of people. Him on the court is a big difference for us.

Q. What's the key to guarding Tatum? You had experience defending him over the years, but what's it like to defend kind of a guy who's as long as you are and a physical kind of equal?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It's tough. It's tough. You've just got to try and make it hard for him. He has a lot of stuff he can do. He can score at all three levels. Just try to be there and make it hard.

Q. Steve Kerr has said all year long that they've been telling Jordan the next step to his game is to work on his defense. What have you seen from him on that side of the ball throughout the course of the season?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I feel like he has stepped up a lot this Playoffs, and especially these first two games of the Finals. I feel like he's done a solid job on defense.

Q. The story of these Finals through two games has been physicality. Obviously, you're not like a rah-rah guy. You're not getting into anybody's face. But deep down, not publicly, are you about that action?

ANDREW WIGGINS: (Chuckles) I just let basketball be basketball. Everything else outside the court, I keep my life private.