Warriors hot start buying time and patience with James Wiseman

The Golden State Warriors have defied even the most optimistic expectations through the first month of the season. Their 16-2 record has them sitting rosy at the top of the western conference, a place that may come under threat with two huge games coming up against the Phoenix Suns.

But although the win-loss record is an obvious positive in itself, the Warriors hot start is also a massive aid to the expectations surrounding the return of Klay Thompson and James Wiseman. With both nearing a return to the floor in the not to distant future, eyes are firmly set on how the Warriors integrate them upon return.

The Golden State Warriors ultra-hot start will only help the team ease, when it’s time, James Wiseman and Klay Thompson back into the rotation.

Thompson should quite rightly be less of a concern; this is a player we know plays well within Steve Kerr’s system, a multiple time all-star whose already cemented himself as a top five shooter of all time. The question marks on him simply come down to his body and how it will cope with the rigours of NBA basketball after two serious injuries.

It’s a little different for last year’s No. 2 overall pick. Wiseman showed plenty of flashes in his debut year, one that was hindered by Covid, a wrist injury, and ultimately the meniscus tear that he’s still recovering from.

Despite the flashes, Wiseman failed to consistently provide valuable contributions within the team dynamic, not a total shock given he’s a young big man.

Going into this season and with the Warriors failing to find an upgrade on Kevon Looney, many looked to Wiseman’s return as an integral piece of the Warriors ambitions as a team. Many saw him needing to reach a new level rather quickly, to the point he’d provide at least 20 valuable minutes come playoff time.

Through what we’ve seen so far this season, that’s no longer the case.

The Warriors have gone from relying on his return, to it simply being a bonus if he’s even playable on the floor come playoff time. Part of it’s the fact Looney remains a serviceable center, but it’s mostly down to this team being way better than people thought they’d be.

What it means is that the expectations on Wiseman, often unrealistic ones, have largely disappeared.

Rather than him and Thompson being seen as potential saviours of the team, Wiseman’s only real pressure comes as being a second overall pick sandwiched between Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball.

That’s pressure from external sources though, not from within the organization like it may previously had been.

Maybe that’s part of Wiseman’s elongated return, one that’s seemingly taking longer than expected. The team’s impressive start means there’s no rush on him or Thompson’s return, nor any lofty expectations once they do.

Two months ago many Warriors fans, and I’d bet some within the organization, would have said the Warriors need valuable contributions from Wiseman in order to win a championship.

Right now, the way they’re playing, there’s a real world in which the Warriors could win the championship with Wiseman sitting on the bench for the entirety of the playoffs. That right there is a good an indication as any of how well this team is going.