The Golden State Warriors are the reigning NBA champions, and at least one more ring may be forthcoming in the next few years.
One of the biggest reasons why is James Wiseman, the second overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Although he didn’t play at all this past season, he showed some promise as a rookie, averaging 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocked shots in 21.4 minutes per game.
Wiseman has the ability to plug a few holes for the Warriors and make them even more formidable than they were this spring.
He looked very solid in the NBA Summer League over the past couple of weeks, averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 19.9 minutes a contest over four games in Las Vegas.
He may not have to do a whole lot for Golden State this coming season, but his summer league performance showed that he should be able to give the team what it needs to repeat as world champs.
Wiseman Gave Warriors Fans Lots To Look Forward To
The 7-foot tall, 240-pound center made his summer league debut on Sunday, July 10 versus the San Antonio Spurs.
It was his first appearance in any type of NBA game since he suffered a torn meniscus in April 2021.
While Wiseman only got two rebounds, he did pretty well offensively, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and blocking two shots in nearly 20 minutes.
He looked physically spry, and his defensive play wasn’t too shabby either.
Here’s that Jonathan Kuminga to James Wiseman pick-and-roll lob dunk to open the game pic.twitter.com/PqGqPb1VJN
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 10, 2022
James Wiseman looking disciplined on defense. These are major flashes https://t.co/htfSCoQhHs pic.twitter.com/H72Z0NZ5ZT
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) July 11, 2022
Wiseman also flashed the ability to score in the post and in iso situations.
James Wiseman FINALLY gets a touch on the elbow, faces up and drills the jumper. pic.twitter.com/yDdmhJEWlS
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) July 11, 2022
The big man shot just 3-of-9 in his second game, which came against the Boston Celtics, but he grabbed seven rebounds and rejected three shots in 21 minutes.
He had just one assist, but it was a pretty one, as he found Jonathan Kuminga on a nice cut to the basket for a dunk.
James Wiseman nice find to Jonathan Kuminga who jump stops and dunks it for the Warriors. pic.twitter.com/pc0aZzyuiX
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 13, 2022
On another play, he hustled for an offensive rebound, which he turned into an easy bucket.
James Wiseman muscles through for the And-1! 💪pic.twitter.com/u22R5gVM7g
— Warriors Nation (@WarriorNationCP) July 13, 2022
On Wednesday, Wiseman put up 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting and seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
Early in the contest versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, he again showed his ability on the offensive boards, turning an offensive rebound into a dunk.
James Wiseman fights for the rebound and throws down the put back dunk
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) July 15, 2022
In the second quarter, he hit an open 3-pointer, an aspect of his game he hasn’t really developed yet.
James Wiseman sets the screen and stretches the floor with a 3 pic.twitter.com/BPIn82bjMz
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) July 15, 2022
In the Warriors’ summer league finale on Sunday against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, Wiseman went just 5-of-13 from the field, but he also had six boards and two blocks in 19 minutes.
Once again, he was active on the offensive boards, and he protected the rim well, which was perhaps the most consistent part of his game throughout summer league play.
When he plays physical, James Wiseman is too much for the competition at the (last day of the) #NBASummerLeague pic.twitter.com/m34rbWfPs8
— Andre Snellings (@ProfessorDrz) July 18, 2022
James Wiseman rotating over for the early emphatic help-side block. pic.twitter.com/sAsCQQ52NI
— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) July 17, 2022
Late in the second quarter, he threw down a big dunk, and seconds later, he blocked another shot.
The dunk. The block.
This sequence by James Wiseman 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KjzKOXR73b
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) July 18, 2022
Wiseman’s inside presence on both ends of the floor, as well as his impressive speed and athleticism, could result in another Larry O’Brien Trophy for the Warriors.
NEXT: James Wiseman Looked Impressive On Friday In NBA Summer League
