Absent all last season due to a knee injury, James Wiseman made his comeback with the Warriors tonight. The number 2 of the 2020 Draft did not fail, with a clean game in which he showed a glimpse of everything he can bring to the court. A great first, which will have to be confirmed in the next matches but especially next season.
After months of recovery due to a torn meniscus that prevented him from playing this season in the NBA, James Wiseman was finally back tonight! With only 39 NBA games played since his Draft in 2020, there was cause for concern for a player despite his enormous potential. Announced for this edition of the Summer League in Las Vegas, the return of the young Warrior was therefore eagerly awaited. Results ? the mission was rather successful, with a fairly complete first match against Spurs during which he proved to be effective in the playing time offered to him: in 19 minutes on the field, the pivot sent 11 points ( at 5/7 to shoot), 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. A line of stats far from flamboyant, but still remarkable after such a long absence. Interesting also to see that he is still able to bring in several areas of the game, with the bonus of flashes that remind us why he was selected so high the year of his Draft. Play on pick-and-roll, shots from the parking lot, deterrence, activity, decision-making… JW has pulled out the whole panoply of the modern interior. The point to underline beyond all that? He didn’t hesitate to go into contact and play hard without showing any physical discomfort. Good feelings confirmed at ESPN after the game :
“I felt good. There are a lot of things I still have to work on, my timing was pretty bad. But it was my first match, I had fun there. »
– James Wiseman
An encouraging performance which must have reassured the world on the side of the management of the Warriors, who could have had doubts about the project around their young player. After having already shown skills sympatoches during his first months in the NBA, we know that the boy is capable of weighing. But as he says himself, this match is only the beginning of a new adventure and we will have to ramp up to be 100% this fall.. Jama Mahlalela – his coach for this Summer League – in any case summed up the feeling of an entire franchise after tonight’s game:
“Today he just looked like a really good basketball player. This first outing is everything we wanted. We told him to go out there, have fun, enjoy the game and let it come to him. »
– Jama Mahlalela
While waiting to see a James Wiseman in good shape and at the maximum of his capacities, we therefore hope that the physical glitches are behind him. History to be able to make a complete preparation for the next season which will allow him to finally show himself in the NBA, at the height of his talent. We know the ability of the Warriors to put in place all the elements necessary for the development of its young stars. And even two years later, better late than never.
James Wiseman is on ???? at both ends of the court! pic.twitter.com/1VSKLdklIj
— NBA (@NBA) July 10, 2022
A successful first match, a reassuring physique and promises for the coming months: James Wiseman reminded everyone that he is a great basketball player when his body leaves him alone. Be careful, because adding a potential of this level to a Warriors team that has eaten up all the competition this year, it could give something quite strong.
Sources : ESPN, Twitter @NBA