Sports means something different to everyone. Everyone has their own favorite team, their own memories of “where I was when…”, and that’s what makes sports great. No one person will feel the same about any one sporting event. We relate sports to our own lives, in our own way. It’s that uniqueness of experiences that brings all sports fans together, breaks down all barriers; white or black or brown, male or female, rich or poor, young or old — we are just sports fans.
Each year, we at GoingFor2, give our writers a chance to share that experience, that emotion, that ‘one thing’ that stood out above all else in the past year. The sports story that mattered to them — big or small. The following is one such story. Enjoy…
What a crazy year 2020 has been, from a virus that eventually stopped sports for a brief time, to one of the most historic elections in US history, to a historic equality movement. 2020 definitely didn’t lack stories!
The Historic Timberwolves Trade
On February 6th of 2020, The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors agreed to a blockbuster trade. Minnesota sent Andrew Wiggins, a protected 2021 first-round pick, and a 2021 second-round pick in exchange for D’Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, and Omari Spellman (Evans and Spellman have been released since). This was a huge trade for the wolves because it was Gersson Rosas’ first big move as The Timberwolves’ new GM. Why D’Angelo Russell is so important to The Timberwolves, D’Angelo Russell and emerging star Karl Anthony-Towns are best friends. The Timberwolves get two all-stars at incredible youth, Towns being 25 and Russell being 24. A move like this gives the young Timberwolves a giant security blanket, keeping both young stars together.
Andrews Wiggins in Minnesota just wasn’t working as a secondary option to Towns. Wiggins finding a new home gives him a chance to find himself and a new role. The Golden State Warriors are a perfect fit for Wiggins. Wiggins will get to go back to what he does best and that’s being a rim slasher. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson (eventually), Kelly Oubre, and Draymond Green is a lot of talent to join, meaning Wiggins shouldn’t be relied on to score as much, which makes him a perfect fit! I’ve been a Timberwolves fan my entire life and this was the perfect trade for both teams, and while I’m not a Wiggins fan many of my fellow Wolves fans have all wished him well.
By The Numbers
D’Angelo Russell
Points Per Game 17.5 (20+ the past two seasons)
Assists Per Game 5.3 (6.5 over the past two seasons)
Rebound Per Game 3.7 (4.6 since joining Minnesota)
Field Goal Percentage 42%
Effective Field Goal Percentage 49.7% (51% since joining Minnesota)
Andrew Wiggins
Points Per Game 19.7
Assists Per Game 2.3 (3.7 in 2020)
Rebounds Per Game 4.4 (5.1 in 2020)
Field Goal Percentage 44%
Effective Field Goal Percentage 47.7% (50% in 2020)
