DALLAS — The Miami Heat locker room is loaded with unique personalities, from the boisterous voice of Davion Mitchell to the leadership voice of Bam Adebayo, from the sleek fashion statements of Norman Powell to the outrageous fits of Tyler Herro.
And then there is Andrew Wiggins, the quiet man who arrives in a hoodie, settles in quietly in his locker space, puts in a day’s work, and then lets others do the talking.
So on nights when everyone eats, such as Monday’s 140-123 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at Kaseya Center, it becomes easy to overlook the 22-point performance by the 12th-year forward, even when done on efficient 9-of-14 shooting, even when accompanied by nine rebounds.
“He’s just a guy who leads by example,” Mitchell said somewhat loudly as Wiggins dressed quietly. “He’s kind of been that even with the Warriors, kind of been that guy that was just under the radar. But he’s always just so effective on both ends of the floor.
“I mean he works extremely hard. He’s a really big piece for us, guarding the best players, getting rebounds. He’s out in transition, hitting tough shots in the fourth quarter. That’s kind of been his game. He’s just a guy that leads by example.”
Moments later, as cameras in the locker room shifted from Mitchell to Wiggins after the Heat’s seventh victory in eight games, Wiggins deflected the praise.
“I get the job done and I do whatever I can to help the team win,” he said, as if wondering why cameras were focused his way. “I know every night’s going to be different. Some nights might be more scoring. Some nights might be my rebounding. Depending on whatever the team needs, I’m here and I’m going to try and do it.”
Just as he did along the likes of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on the way to the 2022 NBA championship with the Golden State Warriors. No need for pretense when others around are so intense.
So as Adebayo steps up his game and makes sure everyone notices his 3-point stroke, as Herro launches daggers from 30 feet and stops to take in the applause, as Powell pumps his fist after each scoring dagger, and as Mitchell plays as defiant defensive dervish, Wiggins gets to his spots, shoots his shots, retreats to the locker room, dons hoodie, and hopes to quietly exit stage left.
“Wiggs is amazing,” said Powell, with the Heat next off on a two-game trip that opens Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks. “He’s quiet, he’s to himself, but he works. He knows the game. He has a versatile skill set. I think he flies under the radar. He’s always quiet and he gets the job done.
“I think you have to have a mix of guys who are like that, able to step up in big moments because they’ve been there, they’re that type of player, but also play a role really well. And I think he’s been able to do that, especially being with Golden State, learning from those guys, learning how to play the system and understanding where his spots are going to be.”
In the Heat’s everyone-eats offense, Wiggins is not gluttonous, but merely sating the need of the night.
“And it’s fully showcasing now,” Powell said, “especially with him being able to guard so many different guys every single night and being able to get out in transition. It really opens up his game.”
As for the quiet-man approach? Arguably also a needed fit.
“I think he’s surrounded by a lot of guys who can bring the emotional side and stuff out of him, but while being able to be himself,” Powell said. “I’ve always loved Wiggs. I’ve talked to him a lot, and if you need a good laugh, he always has a nonchalant response, which is always funny.”
And if Wiggins won’t speak up for himself, then his coach is more than willing to do the talking.
“Yeah, he’s having a great year,” Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s really putting in the work behind the scenes. He prepared himself this summer. Even throughout the season he’s putting in the work. And I just think he’s one of the elite two-way players, two-way wings, in this league. What he can do defensively, it’s special, to be able to guard one through five. And he’s in great shape, so he’s able to make multiple efforts and do it in such a unique way. But then offensively, he’s a tough cover, because you get him in the open court and he gets downhill, he’s a great finisher, he’s athletic.
“But also he drives within what we’re doing. He’s gaining confidence. We want him to shoot his open threes. He’s a great shooter. It’s all about mindset for that, make or miss. He’s playing really good basketball.”