Golden State Warriors Media Conference

Friday, May 21, 2021

San Francisco, California, USA

Andrew Wiggins

Media Conference


Memphis Grizzlies 117, Golden State Warriors 112 (OT)

Q. What was missing from your team to get a playoff spot this season, and what did you see from Ja Morant tonight?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I feel like they got comfortable early. They were playing like the more desperate team, and you know, when they got comfortable, they were hitting shots. They got the early lead and we were just playing catch-up for most of the game. But Morant, he had a good game. He's a good, young star in this league, tough, very crafty. He can get to the rim and get the job done.

Q. How would you describe how physically and mentally taxing the last two games were?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It was a battle. But you know, that's what we're here for. That's what I condition my body for, what I prepare for. So you get tired but at the end of the day it's basketball. I go out on the floor, those thoughts that I'm tired or a little banged up, goes out the window. I just try and hoop and do what I can do to help the team win.

Q. As you assess the team this season, what were the things that made you the proudest of this group?

ANDREW WIGGINS: We kept fighting. We kept fighting. Even with guys out, you know, rotations switching up, COVID season, a lot of stuff happened it, was up and down but we kept fighting. We stayed competitive and stayed playing hard and we only got better.

Q. Some how would you assess your first full season with the Warriors, and based on how you finished the season, how excited are you for next season?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I feel like I had a solid season. I did a lot of things well. Did a lot of things better than I have in my previous seasons, especially being on the court with Steph and Draymond. It was good. I feel like I learned a lot.

Going to next season, I'm obviously excited. We get James back and we get Klay back so that's going to give us a huge, huge boost and next year will be a very special year.

Q. What do you feel like you need to do in the off-season to take that next step?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Man, I just need to work. I've just got to stay in the weight room. You know, keep getting stronger. Just keep working on my game, shooting, ball handling, everything.

Q. Going off that question, but looking ahead to next southbound, offensive rebound you individually, do you have any goals set or is it too early to think about goals next year for yourself?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It's early. I got a lot of goals I want to accomplish at some point in my career. But it would be great. I'm going to keep working at it. I'm going to keep defending my ass off to make it on the defensive teams. That's a big goal of mine. And if I'm not there this year, then next year I'm going to keep fighting for it, keep getting better, keep asserting myself to put myself to put myself in a position to be mentioned.

Q. As you think back on the season that Steph had, potentially an MVP season, how would you describe him? Is there anyone else in the league like Steph?

ANDREW WIGGINS: No. You guys can see it yourselves. The fans, people at home can see it for themselves. You have four dudes guarding him the whole game. The amount of attention that he gets on the ball and even just as much off the ball, it's crazy. You don't see that.

Q. Looking at the bright side and maybe thinking a little bit about the future, what do you think are the keys or main characteristics that this Warriors team has in and outside the basketball court?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Stay together, keep growing, you know, and keep playing Warriors basketball. That's the main thing. We've got a good system here and when we get some of the guys back, it's going to be a good year next year.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
107659-1-1003 2021-05-22 05:29:00 GMT

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