5 of College Basketball’s Best Freshmen as Child Stars
By Joe Nardone
Andrew Wiggins is Macaulay Culkin
Nov 29, 2013; Paradise Island, BAHAMAS; Kansas Jayhawks guard Andrew Wiggins (22) during the game against the Villanova Wildcats at the 2013 Battle 4 Atlantis in the Imperial Arena at the Atlantis Resort. Villanova won 63-59. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Wait, what?!
Andrew Wiggins came to the realm of college basketball with more hype than any Public Enemy concert. Unfortunately for him — because hyperbole rules the world — there happens to be a zero percent chance he lives up to those lofty expectations. I mean, how in the world can he live up to the hype other people set for him? It’s like being disappointed in your two-year-old child that they didn’t ready Moby Dick yet because you wanted them to. It was your fault you’re a sicko, not theirs that they couldn’t do whatever insane thing you wanted them to do.
Macaulay Culkin was once the end all, be all of child actors. Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Richie Rich and more, all made Culkin cooler than a cucumber on the opposite side of the pillow. He also happened to have a wacko father who basically ran him to the ground. Because, you know, nothing says father of the year like making a ten-year-old work miners’ hours.
Culkin eventually flamed out. He made a few more (mostly independent) movies when he got all not-a-kid-anymore. He still holds a special spot in people’s hearts, though. Even though he never became more than a child star.
Now, I am not saying Wiggins will flame out or not become a great NBA player. What is happening to him now, however, is folks are starting to poke holes in his game. Much in the same way movie critics used to talk about Culkin’s lack of range as an actor.
Listen here, bloggers and folks who used to bash Culkin; let’s try to appreciate things for what they are. Wiggins is a really good basketball player. Sure, he’s not the reincarnation of LeBron James, but who is? Just in the same way we all still watch Home Alone whenever it’s on, can we please just appreciate Wiggins for what he is and not for what he isn’t as far as your batshit expectations go?