Selected in second position in the 2020 Draft by Golden State, James Wiseman will try to win the pivotal position in order to make his contribution to a Warriors team that wants to find the Playoffs. But for the moment, its preparation is disrupted by COVID and its beginnings are therefore likely to be complicated.
A far from ideal scenario for James Wiseman. Already, for the rookies in general, we will have to be patient because we just remember that the Draft took place less than a month ago and that they were therefore not able to benefit from the Summer League . No time this year to make the transition gradually, we go on almost immediately with a training camp and the pre-season. Except that for Wiseman, these last two stages also go by the wayside. Tested positive for COVID, along with his new teammate Draymond Green, the former Memphis cannot participate in group training and thus must learn through his eyes and ears. If he has received permission to attend the sessions of his teammates, it is obviously insufficient to properly assimilate the NBA game and unlike the other prospects of the Top 3 Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, he can therefore not play the games exhibition of his team currently. Wiseman missed the first game against Denver on Saturday, and will most likely miss the next – and last – two against the Kings if we believe ESPN, even if he was able to resume with small individual workouts to work on his shoot. And when you add to that the fact that he only played… three NCAA games last season, you think it might come as a shock to him when he really finds the top level.
To avoid an entry into the NBA too brutal which could break the confidence of the kid, the Warriors will logically go there gradually. According to Anthony Slater, who covers the California franchise for The Athletic, the 19-year-old pivot could even miss the first two regular season games, two big pieces for Golden State, which will face Brooklyn on opening night and then the Bucks on Christmas Day. Suffice to say that it can hurt for a rookie whose prep is greatly disturbed. So don’t expect to see him on the court a lot in the early days of the regular season, and the Warriors should be counting on more. Kevon Looney and you Marquese Chriss. The three players will rotate on position 5 this year, with Looney favorite to start, Chriss in back-up and therefore Wiseman in waiting. We’ll see how it all unfolds during the season, but that’s how the situation is today. The rookie has the talent, the potential and the athleticism to become the Warriors’ number one hub, but as coach Steve Kerr said recently, “he has a lot to learn” so slowly take expectations.
Will we see James Wiseman in Golden State’s first outings this season? Not sure, because the Warriors are clearly going to be patient with their nugget. It’s going to take a little while for him to acclimate to the top level and the California franchise doesn’t want to throw it on fire just yet.
Source texte : ESPN / The Athletic
