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Report: Timberwolves ‘lament’ Andrew Wiggins missing weight-lifting sessions

Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s most promising young superstars, but the young swingman is reportedly struggling to find his way in the weight room, per Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report.

Wiggins was an outstanding shooting guard as a rookie last year, but Ding reports the organization sees him as a full-time small forward in the future. However, his lack of dedication in the weight room could be a hindrance to that goal:

“One of the keys to Minnesota’s future success is for Wiggins, 20, to be strong enough to be a full-time small forward and open up the shooting-guard position for [Zach] LaVine, also 20,” Ding writes. “Team insiders, though, lament how many weightlifting sessions Wiggins skips, and the supposedly slim-fit, sleeved jerseys the Wolves love to wear show the ample room to grow in his arms.”

As good as Wiggins has been during his first year-plus in the league, he would be even better over the long haul if he were to dedicate himself to the weight room.

There is another aspect of his development which is somewhat troubling, as relayed by Ding: “The half-speed way Wiggins goes through his pregame workout, when others such as LaVine are so on point with their game simulation, is another bad habit.”

Furthermore, Ding reports Wiggins shies away from the fiery leadership of Kevin Garnett, preferring to avoid “harsh criticism” instead of listening to the wisdom provided by such a legendary figure.

Natural talent can only get players so far in the NBA — just ask Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and LeBron James, among others.

It takes so much more than that to move from potential star into realized super stardom. Wiggins has that potential, but he is still so raw in many ways. The natural talent he possesses is on another level, which is evidenced on a nightly basis as he makes highlight-reel worthy plays on both ends of the court.

However, until Wiggins fully embraces what it means to be a professional basketball player, rather than a phenomenally talented one, he’s likely going to miss out on realizing that his full potential.

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