Golden State Warriors: Highs and lows of James Wiseman SL

It has only been two Summer League games but James Wiseman has given the Golden State Warriors plenty to analyze.

He made his debut with a thunderous dunk before going to the other end of the floor and blocking an opponent’s jump shot. Shortly after, he drilled a pull-up 3-pointer.

Considering the Summer League exists purely for us to overreact — it’s safe to say everyone was thrilled to see Wiseman’s first few minutes back on a basketball court.

Since then, however, the flashes have been more inconsistent.

James Wiseman has flashed some highs and some lows through his first two Summer League games with the Golden State Warriors.

Wiseman didn’t go on to dominate for the rest of the game. He finished with just 11 points after scoring his first five in quick succession.

More concerning, he racked up seven fouls in his first game. In game two, Wiseman committed five personal fouls.

This gives us a grand total of 12 fouls in 40 minutes of playing time so far for Wiseman. Yeesh.

To be fair, Wiseman made his fair share of spectacular plays on defense. He flaunted his 7’6″ wingspan and sent a few shots into the second row while also flashing incredibly body control, using his verticality to deter opponents without fouling.

The issue? Instincts.

You can only do so much to prepare yourself for an NBA game. Even something as minor as the Summer League is a significant increase in intensity compared to scrimmaging against your own teammates.

Wiseman has a lot to learn. Most of which will not be possible unless he is actively getting reps against NBA-caliber talent in real-game situations.

Nevertheless, his flashes of potential are everything you could dream of. His jump shot has looked silky smooth, albeit still a bit slow. He has that Chris Bosh level of floor spacing capability the Dubs need in their frontcourt.

While rough around the edges, Wiseman is still a force on defense. His physical build lends him to make some plays on that side of the floor that other prospects simply can not.

His touch around the rim has remained strong, shooting 50% from the field so far in two games. He’s cramming dunks and finishing lob plays with ease, exactly what the Dubs want to see.

So while it is much too early to make any conclusions, Wiseman has already given us plenty to consider this summer.