When the Warriors used the second pick at James Wiseman’s center in Memphis in the 2020 NBA Draft, the idea was clear, despite his raw skills and inexperience. The 7-foot player quickly brings size to the Golden State roster as a potential threat to the big Rob running on the rim.
Before Wiseman’s rookie season was shortened by the torn right meniscus, it was clear that he still had a long way to go as a rebounder and to understand how to use his body. He didn’t play a single NBA game this past season because of his right knee. But with the 87-77 defeat to Washington Wizards, the final round of the Warriors Summer League schedule, Wiseman’s improvement is clear, as are the additional factors that health could bring from day one. did.
“I thought he had a great outing today. It was probably his best outing,” said Warriors coach Jama Mahlalela after the defeat. “It’s just his energy and the up and down movement of the floor.”
Immediately, Wiseman shocked the defensive side of the ball, smashing the shot he got in response from the broadcast, “Oh, I think Wiseman blocked it with his elbow.”
In the 19-minute play before the Warriors unleashed the bench player and lost the lead, Wiseman blocked two shots, scored six rebounds and scored 11 points. He missed all three attempts, but with his range and shooting strokes, he proved he could fly from there. Low, he was sometimes a force.
In the last 30 seconds of the first half, Wiseman gave us a glimpse of how powerful we could be in attacking and defending. First, he rolled into a hoop and set up a powerful screen for Mac McClung before throwing a big dunk. Then on the other side, Wiseman beat his second block of the night, a sequence that should make every warrior laugh somewhere.
“His screening and rolling took place at a faster pace today,” Marlarella explained.
All five Wiseman buckets came around the rim. He finished multiple back alleys and buzzed with an acrobatic finish at the end of the third quarter.
Draymond Green led the Warriors last season with 1.1 blocks per game. Wiseman averaged 0.9 blocks per game as a rookie. With the season to see the champion and the strengthening of his muscles in the long frame, Wiseman played a total of 8 blocks in 4 games in Las Vegas, averaging 2.0 blocks per game and about 20 minutes per game.
Kevon Looney led the Warriors with 83 dunk shots in 82 regular season games. Wiseman as a rookie had 84 dunks in 39 games. You get the picture.
The combination of players like Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga gives the Warriors more size, explosiveness and athletic performance from the opening round to the end of the season.
Wiseman has improved as a screener in every game in Las Vegas. He has shown his ability to block shots and thwart attacks, no matter how blind he is to jump to almost everything so far. The Warriors know that his offensive skill set already exists and will continue to expand their weapons around the rim, so they need to provide what they don’t have, the true Rob threat. ..
Related: Wiseman introduces unique skills set at the Warriors Vegas Finale
The 21-year-old boy played four games in a row to finish the Warriors Summer League schedule. This is more than he played in college and is his longest game since he played 10 consecutive games from late March to early April 2021 before the end of the rookie year. The Golden State didn’t win many wins this summer after celebrating another title.
However, what Wiseman exhibited at Sin City was a victory now, and may have been a bigger victory in the future.
“It’s a good omen for the rest of his summer,” Mahlallela said. “He can now do development work, not rehab work. That’s a radical difference for him. As a coaching staff and organization, we, as a coaching staff and organization, that process and what he learns and grows. And I’m excited to attend the training. He actually spent the summer he could work, so he camps another player. “
