德雷蒙德-格林习惯于朝别人喊垃圾话，从杜兰特到科尔，再到对手和球迷。他甚至能在天文台冲外星人大声说：“在你们来之前，我们就是地球人了！”然而，他没想到自己竟会被一个20岁的菜鸟当面训得哑口无言。
这发生在2023年夏天，伤愈归来的格林参加队内练习赛。在因自己的失误输掉第一场后，新秀波杰姆斯基毫不客气地对他喊道：“我们不能让失误影响比赛，你不能在比赛中丢掉球权！”这一幕令格林惊呆，以前几乎没有交流的新秀，如今却如此直白。反应过来后，格林回答道：“你知道吗？你的建议不错，但一定要一直这样说下去。”
那时的格林还欣赏波杰的直率与好胜心，因为他本身也是这样的性格。然而，他未曾料想，这个新秀将在短短一年间从备受期待的全能控卫沦为偶尔显现存在感的负重铅块，把新秀一阵的美誉压得粉碎。而更令人意外的是，波杰展现出的性情远比预期更加夸张——不仅仅是“白版追梦”，而是融合了杨子与麦琳元素。
半年前，勇士队庆幸选中了波杰这个宝藏。作为新秀，他首年的表现相当出色：真实命中率54%，平均9分6篮板4助攻，以及38%的三分命中率，使他的效益绝对合规。此外，一年级生便展示出了全面性的胶水角色，在防守端积极抢夺篮板、协防并制造进攻犯规；进攻方面则能够持球突破、接球投射，并偶尔承担起串联全队任务。他在球队中的总篮板数排名第二，仅次于鲁尼，而其控运及传球能力也颇具创意……简而言之，这位20岁的小将始终给人以眼前一亮之感。
A rookie with such skills seamlessly integrating into the Warriors' complex tactical system, acting as a glue player like Iguodala, is hard not to win over Coach Kerr. In the analysis model compiled by the Warriors, new recruit Wiggins ranked tenth in draft picks. Team development director Lacob admitted: “He fits well within Kerr's system but we all believe he has more to offer; his talent, basketball IQ and personality are worth our investment.” The team encouraged Wiggins to analyze his college footage—unlike other rookies, he quickly grasped both sides of tactics and players' characteristics while actively analyzing his pick-and-roll decisions and defensive details.
This explains why general manager Mike Dunleavy spotted him during college games and why Coach Kerr utilized him at critical moments instead of Klay Thompson. Despite knowing how proud Thompson is when presented with data showing "Wiggins replacing Klay’s five-man unit outscored opponents by 57 points over 107 minutes," it was only natural for the head coach to make that choice.
Even Draymond Green acknowledged Wiggins’ potential: “His ceiling is high; although he's still learning and exploring stages right now, nobody can replace what he brings on court. When he's controlling things out there you feel incredibly comfortable—it means so much for this team's newcomers.”
The significance was immense, yet little did they know that soon they'd discover their inability to fully embrace this gift.
The start of season two saw an unexpected decline from Wiggins—a stark contrast emerged as expectations were set sky-high for a sophomore year following last year's promise. His three-point accuracy plummeted from 38% down to just 29%, causing havoc upon already low true shooting percentage which dropped below acceptable thresholds at around 49%. Time after time he'd falter under pressure making careless mistakes including interference fouls against teams like Lakers leading fans merely hoping for mediocrity rather than excellence.
Sophomore struggles aren't unusual—but unlike others drafted near same position (18th Hucks or19th Podjemski), none suffered reputational damage quite like Wiggin's due largely stemming from being constantly spotlighted playing alongside star teammates whilst exhibiting reckless bravado through exaggerated self-assuredness akin waving flags regardless if winds favoring nor opposing them!
