GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS MEDIA CONFERENCE

September 25, 2022

Andrew Wiggins

Media Conference

Q. Andrew, how is the championship glow?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It's been good. It's been great coming off of a great summer, a happy summer. I'm ready to get back. I feel like everyone is ready to get back.

Q. In the glow of the Finals championship, you and JP were talking about who is getting the bag. Obviously the two of you are in a situation where contracts are up. How much of that is on your mind and how do you deal with that, given that you're going to training camp with that kind of in the back of your mind?

ANDREW WIGGINS: You know, I just -- it doesn't really weigh in a lot. You know, it's just I play basketball and I just let my agents worry about all that.

My plan is just to hoop and whatever happens, happens.

Q. Would you prefer to see something happen sooner or are you okay playing it out?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I know my agents and the team probably have a plan or something. Right now I'm just focused on the season and what's coming ahead.

Q. I know you're not a guy who gets too bogged down in any of the media stuff or narratives but how has it been to be getting a lot of recognition for your great play throughout the playoffs and NBA Finals? Been a long time coming, I imagine.

ANDREW WIGGINS: Sure, it's always better to hear something positive than negative about you. But it's been good. I've been working hard to just keep it going.

Q. How ready do you think the young guys are to take on bigger Rose?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I think they are ready. I think they are hungry and ready to show the league what they have got. They have been working hard and they have been in the gym. So I'm excited for them.

Q. Playing an additional 22 games to win a title, it's not the worst thing but it shortens your off-season obviously. How refreshed do you feel like all of you guys are heading into this training camp? Is it like you guys are starting where you were last year?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I mean, I can't talk for the other guys but I feel pretty good. I feel refreshed. I feel like that little short off-season was good to me. I feel like I'm rejuvenated and ready to get going again.

Q. So Andre decides to come back. Do you really want him bugging you again this year? Seriously, what does his presence and influence mean to you and the guys on this team?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It's huge. He has some knowledge that no one else has and he always keeps it real. He's going to teach you. He's going to help you. You know, whatever you need, he's a guy you can look up to and ask questions and you know he'll help you out without any doubt.

Q. What's more important for you, the off-the-court tips or on the court tips?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Both. Both are very, very important and he gives both very well.

Q. Your rebounding was a big narrative in the Finals and the playoffs. What did you learn about yourself and your rebounding skills overall?

ANDREW WIGGINS: Just certain things I can do more of and certain things I can do more of to help the team win.

Like you said, the rebounding part, my numbers went up in the playoffs, so now I've just got to keep it going.

Q. Your defense a lot of people said improved last year, and I know you worked on it hard. In that respect, what role does Draymond Green play in being sort of a mentor of the defense and with you or the team overall? Is he -- is that kind of his role?

ANDREW WIGGINS: For sure. For sure. Draymond is one of a kind when it comes to defense. You're talking about a guy that guards one through five, and I think the greatest part about it all is the IQ on the defensive side. He knows his rotations. He knows where to go at all times and he helps out everybody.

He challenges and you holds you accountable, and he pushes you to that next level.

Q. You were on some teams earlier in your career with a lot of roster turnover. What's it like to not only win a title but come into camp and see pretty much your whole core right there with you again?

ANDREW WIGGINS: It's been great. You know, it's been great just to see all these guys again, and we did something special last year. So it's been good. I feel like everyone had a good summer and everyone came back with that championship glow. You know, everyone is happy and everyone is excited and everyone is ready to get going. It's been good.

Q. Whether it was the rebounding, especially in the postseason, or the defense over the course of most of the season last year, did you do anything that maybe a little bit surprised yourself or did you know all that was there all along?

ANDREW WIGGINS: I've always been confident in what I can do but just the rebounding part, just getting in there and getting my hands the basketball, that part I feel like is going to help carry me through this year, knowing I did it at the highest stage in the hardest times. So I should have no problem doing it now but we'll see.