Golden State Warriors’ pressing James Wiseman issue after G League season debut

Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman made his G League season debut on Saturday night, displaying some positives signs with 19 points and 11 rebounds in Santa Cruz’ 111-91 loss to the South Bay Lakers.

Those exciting signs were most notable in the opening period, with Wiseman’s eight points helping the Warriors build an early 22-point lead. The game ultimately spun on its axis entirely from that point, and although Wiseman had his moments, there were still elements of the same rebounding and defensive issues that’s put him in the G League to begin with.

Golden State Warriors big man James Wiseman recorded a double-double for Santa Cruz in front of a sold out crowd at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

Defensively, reps in the G League should do him wonders. Learning positioning, timing and general feel for the game is vitally important to his development, and crucial to his chances of earning a recall to Steve Kerr’s rotation. However, it’s the offensive end that strikes an issue with what the Warriors are trying to do with the former number two overall pick.

Playing with other young players out to prove themselves, Wiseman’s not necessarily going to be in the best position to succeed offensively. Across the second quarter and much of the third, the 21-year-old was often overlooked as he continually watched jumpshots clank from the perimeter, or witnessed careless turnover after carless turnover in what became a comedy festival at times.

So, after a while, Wiseman took matters into his own hands. He heeded the words of Jordan Poole who had told him to “shoot as many shots as he wants”. Halfway through the third, he came down the floor and pulled a quick trigger three from the top of the arc — splash. He missed another moments later — both plays intersected by one where he grabbed a defensive rebound, then dribbled coast-to-coast before missing a contested layup.

That’s likely what the Warriors want him to do — make some special highlight plays that grows a waning confidence level. But what good does that actually do, even if he were to go for 30-35 points in one of these upcoming games?

How he plays offensively in Santa Cruz will be totally different to what’s asked of him if he gets back into the rotation. Therefore, throughout his stint in the G League, it’s really the defensive end that everyone should be evaluating to see any kind of improvement.

When Poole came back from his stint in Santa Cruz during his second season, the Warriors were a bang average team who, with Klay Thompson out for the season, weren’t expected to contend for a championship. Poole was given the freedom to explore his offensive game, even if it took time for Kerr and the vets to trust him entirely.

Wiseman won’t be given that luxury, even if he were to average 30 over the next five G League games. Finding a balance between uplifting his confidence, and still playing in a way that’ll translate to Golden State’s system, is what will ultimately define this experience.