Golden State Warriors: 3 X-Factors that will determine success

By Tony Pesta | Dec 17, 2020

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a shot against Buddy Hield #24 and Glenn Robinson III #30 of the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on December 15, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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3. James Wiseman’s rookie season

The biggest unknown on Golden State’s roster is James Wiseman. There is no precedent for a top-three pick to enter the league on a perennial contender without having some sizeable collegiate experience under their belt.

For Wiseman, he will be thrown into the fire early in his career. He played only three games at Memphis before sitting out the rest of the year and declaring for the NBA Draft. To make matters worse, training camp was rushed this season and Wiseman hasn’t even appeared in a preseason game yet.

Fortunately, Wiseman won’t have the same expectations as other top picks. The Warriors don’t need him to be a franchise star. Instead, he just needs to do his job as a defensive anchor and finisher around the rim.

Asking the monstrous seven-foot guy to control the paint seems pretty reasonable. At the very least, he should hold his own throughout his rookie season. However, if he pushes himself over the top and becomes a double-double machine, the Warriors will be in good standing.

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