After the two huge setbacks suffered at the start of the season, the Warriors have since raised the bar and have a positive record (5V-4D). If the awakening of Stephen Curry, then the return of Draymond Green allow the Californian team to rely on two of its three main historical pillars, a phenomenon is emerging. Drafted in 2e position of the last Draft, we know that James Wiseman has exceptional potential. However, there were many doubts about him at the start of the season.
Already the future of the Warriors
Suspended, he played only three small NCAA games before going directly to the Draft. Expected very high, it was not a surprise that he was selected in 2e position. It was probably a little more to see him being thrown into the deep end so directly by Steve Kerr. After nine meetings, the coach with three rings does not regret it.
“It’s all intimidating, but he does it beautifully. He is full of good will and never takes things personally. He absorbs them, accepts them, and understands that everything is part of a process… It’s crazy. What we’re asking James to do is crazy, but he does it admirably because he’s willing to accept mistakes. “Steve Kerr
Traveling to Brooklyn and Milwaukee for his first two outings, the Warriors were boned. James Wiseman showed her that problems with feeling or shyness are not her cup of tea. By planting 37 points over the two games, without forcing things and with maturity, the young interior showed the extent of his palette, whether in the racket, behind the line or in defense, he showed good activity. .
“I thought he might be a bit like a deer in the light, but he’s not afraid of anything. It is even more than the thirst to learn. He goes over there (To Brooklyn and Milwaukee) and scores 18 or 20 points (19, then 18), and when he comes back to the bench, he asks, “What did I do wrong? What can I do better? “Steve Kerr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFtlXR5AvtQ
To the point of being the one who takes back the keys to the truck when the current pillars are about to retire? Steve Kerr believes it.
“He’s clearly the focal point for the future in terms of squad building with Steph (Curry), Klay (Thompson) and Draymond (Green). I can now put James in there. He is a huge piece of the puzzle. “Steve Kerr
A quality mentor in Draymond Green
The coach is already won over, and his teammates are too. Whether it is Stephen Curry or Draymond Green, the two strong men of the Californian locker room are impressed by the qualities shown by a still extremely young player, who celebrated his 19 years barely ten days ago.
“I know he hopes for great things, and he challenges himself to be better. He takes all the information on the fly, and puts it into practice during matches. He sets very high standards. It became evident as we barely got to know him… I remember what I was doing when I was 19, and I’m sure I wasn’t playing in the NBA ”Stephen Curry
“He took up the challenge. They kicked his ass on pick-and-roll in his first game. He was furious, he accepted the challenge and was better. It has become personal. When a guy takes it that way, it’s great. You wanna go to war with a guy like that. “Draymond Green
The latter also plays an essential role in the learning of his young teammate. Real keystone of the defense for years, the position 4/5 evolves in the same sector of play as the young pivot. He is therefore a natural and ideal mentor. If his soupy character can always annoy some, his ability to motivate and his constant energy in everything he does should allow Wiseman to gain in toughness, and in game intelligence. Steve Kerr explains, stressing the importance of Green’s transmission.
“Having been the cornerstone, a fundamental part of the franchise, Draymond not only wants to play with James, so that we are as strong as possible as a team, but also to pass on what he’s learned to him. This so that James can in turn pass it on to the next generation of Warriors who will take over when Draymond is gone. “Steve Kerr
Since his first training sessions with him when the two players joined training camp at the same time in mid-December, Draymond Green has been delighted with the energy displayed by his young teammate. For him, he has the means to become a player of a superior quality.
“I think he’s got a chance to be really, really, really special. The funny or interesting thing about the things he’s done is that he has no idea what he’s actually doing. It’s special… Seeing what he’s capable of doing, it’s very promising. “Draymond Green
“I am a student of the game”
Prospect closely followed for several years, James Wiseman has never left the NBA scouts indifferent. Far above the rest, he was elected high school student of the year during his last season in 2018-2019, posting absolutely crazy statistics: 25.8 points, 14.8 rebounds and especially 5.5 blocks per game! If his size was an advantage over players of his age who were often less physically developed, he seemed set to do well in the NCAA, even if it was against weak opponents, with 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 3 blocks. average, in just 23 minutes of play.
This is probably the reason why its rating has not dropped. Able to be efficient on both sides of the pitch, fast and athletic, with a much more interesting shoot than expected (although there is still a lot of work to do), he has all the qualities to be a position 5 of a very high level. With the work ethic that seems to have, his room for improvement is still enormous.
“I’m a student of the game. If there are things that I did wrong, I ask a lot of questions. I am hardworking, and very attentive to every detail. If I make a mistake on something I already know, I will be very angry. It’s just because I want to be the best version of myself. I try to do the best I can to be better, so I think that’s a plus ”James Wiseman
Since joining the franchise, the young player is unanimous, and his performance on the floor only reinforces the feeling of satisfaction on the board of the Warriors. Happy coach of the phenomenon, Steve Kerr is delighted with the talent and mentality of his player.
“I see him absorbing all the things he is taught on a daily basis. He’s not afraid to admit that things are going really fast right now. I appreciate this confession, this vulnerability, because if you pretend you’re not getting very far. I appreciate the tremendous balance he has in staying calm and mature in the face of the avalanche of information he receives daily as he plays against the best players in the world. “Steve Kerr
Already well established in the five major, the young pivot arrived in an excellent environment to develop. With Draymond Green’s Devil as a mentor and Stephen Curry at the lead in setting up the team play, he takes advantage of these perks to build himself up gradually. The Warriors trust him, and they have much to be satisfied with.
Via SF Chronicle
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