The Sporting News Reports: Aaron Wiggins – The Man Who Saved Basketball
In a stunning turn of events, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins has been officially recognised as “The Man Who Saved Basketball” on his Basketball-Reference profile. This unusual nickname has been making waves in the basketball world, and it’s a story that predates his time with the Thunder.
According to The Sporting News, Wiggins began his Thunder career on a two-way contract in 2021, and the meme is believed to have originated during his rookie season. A 2024 article from The Oklahoman credits Cody Burton with originating the phrase, but it predates Wiggins’ time in the NBA. During Wiggins’ pre-draft process in 2021, Burton created a GIF of Wiggins in his Maryland uniform along with the text “Aaron Wiggins saved basketball.”
“It took a life of its own,” The Sporting News reports. The phrase has been used in various memes and has become a beloved inside joke among Thunder fans. As The Sporting News notes, “The meme is believed to have originated during his rookie season,” and it has been a key part of Wiggins’ development as a player.
Burton runs @LuDortBurner on X (formerly Twitter) and the first post from that account containing those words came on Feb. 25, 2022, the night Wiggins scored eight points in an overtime win over the Pacers. According to Burton, the phrase derives from the original version, which credited former MLB utility man Marwin Gonzalez with saving baseball. In a way, Wiggins is viewed as the NBA’s version of Gonzalez.
Wiggins and his teammates are well aware of the nickname, causing plenty of memorable moments at the postgame podium and beyond. As The Sporting News reports, “Countless memes have been created from the phrase, with Wiggins inserted in several images that have gone viral.” Ahead of the Finals, Wiggins was asked about the nickname going on Basketball-Reference, and it later became true.
In an interview, Wiggins was asked about the nickname, and he replied, “That would be pretty cool. Hopefully they do it.” The Sporting News notes that following Wiggins’ 18-point showing in Game 2, NBA Paint also joined in on the fun, tweeting “Aaron Wiggins saved basketball.”
Wiggins’ stats in Game 2 vs. Pacers were impressive:
* Points: 18
* Rebounds: 4
* Assists: 1
* Steals: 1
* Blocks: 0
* TOs: 1
* Fouls: 1
* FG: 6-11
* 3FG: 5-8
* FT: 1-2
As reported by The Sporting News, this performance has solidified Wiggins’ place in the NBA, and his nickname will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
The Sporting News has been following Wiggins’ journey and notes that his development was a silver lining to the dark cloud that was the Thunder’s 24-58 finish in 2021-22. Wiggins got better as his team did, and Thunder fans were enamored with him. As The Sporting News reports, “Wiggins is viewed as the NBA’s version of Gonzalez,” and his nickname is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
In conclusion, Aaron Wiggins’ nickname “The Man Who Saved Basketball” is a unique and fascinating story that has captured the hearts of basketball fans everywhere. As reported by The Sporting News, this nickname is a reflection of Wiggins’ impressive skills on the court and his impact on the NBA. With his impressive performance in Game 2, Wiggins has solidified his place in the league, and his nickname will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
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