James Wiseman hasn’t been able to play much basketball in the past three years. He only played three games at Memphis College. In the short 2021 season, he played 39 of 72 games. And he missed his sophomore season with a knee injury.
It comes with the fewest NBA games played by Golden State’s young players- Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. However, it was the 2020 2nd overall pick who got consistent minutes early in the season.
“I like our second unit combination of two guards in the pick-and-roll game, Jordan. [Poole] And Donte [DiVincenzo]James’ ability as a lob threat and lob threat,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “Those three have a good combination. We can put a lot of different people around those guys.
James Wiseman is the Warriors’ lone listed center, with Kevin Looney, JaMychal Green and Draymond Green all playing center minutes.
James Wiseman in the pick-and-roll
Tuesday night’s win served as a testament to what Kerr was referring to when it came to the play of Poole and DiVincenzo. Wiseman finished with eight points in 17 minutes, his first six points all coming on pick-and-rolls. There was also a pick-and-roll possession between Wiseman and Stephen Curry, though it resulted in a turnover.
The Warriors had planned for Jordan Poole, James Wiseman’s senior pick-and-roll game, to be a big part of the secondary since last season. This will be a big part of the identity of the new non-Kuri class. pic.twitter.com/srQUeS7c0T
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 19, 2022
In his rookie season, Wiseman showed he has good finishing ability. From zero to three feet from the basket, Wiseman shot 79.4%. That percentage ties him for 13th in the league with Miami’s Bam Adebayo. However, James Wiseman did not qualify for the list due to missed time in 2021.
It’s no secret that Wiseman is relatively raw in his abilities. He is a player who hasn’t played much in the NBA yet. But early in his second season, James Wiseman is getting a chance to get more minutes.
