One thing most of us saw coming, James Wiseman is leading the Rookie of the Year race with the Golden State Warriors.
This hasn’t been a good season for the Golden State Warriors thus far. Fortunately, James Wiseman has been a bright spot for the team – and, with an inspiring win over Portland, the Warriors could be gearing up for a redemption tour.
Wiseman was drafted No. 2 overall by the Dubs in a move that seemed too obvious NOT to make. The towering seven-footer has freakish athleticism and all the makings of an elite paint presence. With the hope that he could extend his range in the NBA, Wiseman was one of the few prospects in his class with star potential.
And, he’s lived up to the hype through six games. Wiseman is averaging 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in just 22.4 minutes per game. He has drilled 5-of-10 attempts from the 3-point line but is finishing just 40.8 percent of his overall shots. Still, he converts 69.2 percent of his looks in the paint.
Wiseman’s strength and speed are astonishing. He had already made some impressive plays in transition, moving like a freight train with surprisingly nimble feet once in the lane. There is no stopping Wiseman when he gets a burst to the rim
He has shown some skill facing up to the basket and powering through his defender to get a shot up at the rim. Like most rookies, he needs to improve his decision making, but his future as a paint scorer is promising.
Wiseman is first in blocks, second in rebounding and scoring for rookies. His team record hasn’t helped his case yet – but there’s reason to believe the Warriors will improve throughout the season. He is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year thus far and should only build on his case as his campaign progresses.