How the Warriors should handle Wiseman when he returns
James Wiseman looked lost at times in Warriors' offense during rookie
season, but with the right plan, Golden State can set him on a path for
success
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 6: Golden State Warriors’ James
Wiseman (33) sits on the bench during their game against the Orlando
Magic in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
>SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 6: Golden State Warriors’ James
Wiseman (33) sits on the bench during their game against the Orlando
Magic in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco,
Calif., on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
By JANNELLE MOORE |
PUBLISHED: December 7, 2021 at 7:35 a.m. | UPDATED: December 7, 2021 at
7:40 a.m.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/12/07/how-the-warriors-should-handle-wiseman-when-he-returns/

In the era of instant gratification and super-teams, the grind and
process of progression often go undervalued and underrated.

Many NBA fans have forgotten what it looks like to watch a player
develop and progress in his career. They often marvel at the destination
instead of embracing the journey.

For the Warriors, the hope is that second-year center James Wiseman will
eventually become the player they are hoping he’d be — turning the
potential that made him the No. 2 overall pick into the reality of being
a franchise pillar for the future.

But in order for that to happen, the Warriors must develop Wiseman in
the present and that present is that 1) he is coming off a meniscus tear
that required surgery in April and 2) he still lacks experience and
practice reps as a result of that injury.

As Wiseman moves closer to a return — it won’t happen before the new
year — here is what the Warriors (and Wiseman) should do to help his
development.

- Keep It Simple

Wiseman struggled mightily during his rookie season, more than the stats
suggest — 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes, 39 games, 27
starts. He was wildly inconsistent.

The Warriors threw him on the court despite his lack of experience
(three college games and a 13-month layoff)because of his size and
potential. The problem with that was the expectation that Wiseman would
know how and when to screen; how to execute in the post split.

Wiseman, 20, thrived when his role was simplified. After he completes
his assignment in Santa Cruz, the Warriors should play Wiseman with the
second uint alongside Jordan Poole (after Klay Thompson returns) and let
him get his reps. In his minutes, Wiseman should operate in
pick-and-roll situations with Poole, catch lobs around the rim and set
simple screens. As time progresses, coach Steve Kerr and his staff can
begin to gradually introduce different wrinkles and nuances in the offense.

- Embrace The Role

In pockets during last season, Wiseman had the tendency to operate along
the perimeter. Granted, the NBA is a position-less league and it’s
tempting to shoot threes and put the ball on the floor prolifically like
some of the elite guards in the league. However, some
self-awareness is needed in this case. Wiseman has the potential to be a
perimeter threat but that’s going to take time. When he has a mismatch —
and he will have them as a 7-foot player — it’s best for him to exploit
those and work from the inside out.

There’s nothing wrong with operating as a big and exploiting the
advantage. The best example of that as it pertains to Wiseman is Deandre
Ayton, the burgeoning 6-11 star for the Phoenix Suns. Like Wiseman,
Ayton was a raw talent and very athletic. He had the ability to impact
games, but he was often lost and was learning how to play at this level.

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Now in his fourth NBA season, Ayton has developed as a force inside the
paint defensively and an efficient scorer in the post who can set
well-timed screens and catch lobs. This is what the Warriors need from
Wiseman now and in the future. It’s great that the ability to shoot from
the perimeter is there, but that’s not what’s required for Wiseman to
help this team.

- Understanding the Assignment

It is expected that Wiseman will get reps in Santa Cruz. It is expected
that he will have some great games. The thing is not just going to Santa
Cruz and getting some run. What Wiseman should do in his G-League time
is to make it a point to comprehend what the G-League Warriors’ coaching
staff shows and teaches him during the stint.

Poole benefited from this approach. Yes, he used the games in Santa Cruz
to gain confidence. But what he took away from Santa Cruz is improved
decision-making. It was the coaching staff that instilled in Poole the
practice of .5 seconds or less. The principle is predicated on having a
half-second to make a decision — either pass or shoot the ball instead
of being indecisive.

Wiseman could pick up similar principles in practices there. He could
learn how to effectively defend, to contest shots without fouling. He
could also learn to set the kind of screens that the Warriors need.
Making the G-League assignment purposeful will benefit Wiseman in the
long run in his development and impact with the Dubs.

--
Jannelle Moore | Guest Analyst