The Warriors are currently 0-2 for the regular season, and they looked like they were nowhere close to competing with true championship teams. The whole team has been in a slump, and their current regular-season record reflects that. As Stephen Curry adjusts to having an extreme usage rate, their record will most likely rebound, but they will be nowhere close to the dynasty they were.
One of the bright spots of the Warriors’ future is young big man James Wiseman. Wiseman has shown a lot of savvy when cutting to the rim, and his athleticism already makes him look like he’s ready for the NBA. Wiseman could provide a great scoring presence in the future. While it’s not fair to expect Wiseman to be a 20 PPG scorer instantly, his skill set offers promise for the Warriors. An article by Ethan Strauss of the Athletic covered Wiseman’s strengths.
One of the reasons that Wiseman’s surprise shooting ability could be such a game-changer is that there’s no guarding it. Durant, who has incredible length, measures at a 9-2 standing reach. Wiseman measures at 9-6, and his shot release is completely vertical.
Two aspects of this surprise might be getting lost in the shuffle of so much current Warriors misery. First, that it’s highly, highly unusual for a guy with this size, length and release point to present a credible 3-point threat. Second, if the threat remains credible, Wiseman’s high pick-and-roll with Curry will be unguardable.
Ethan Strauss seems to have a lot of faith in Wiseman’s shooting ability. In the modern NBA, shooting is ever important for a big man. Most superstar centers in the league are able to shoot. That is why Wiseman’s combination of athleticism and shooting is so tantalizing for the Warriors. While Wiseman needs time to develop, his first two games in the NBA were a good sign for the future. If he could develop, the Warriors would still be competitive with him and Stephen Curry.
The Warriors have started the season in a rut, but they could easily turn it around. If they do, Wiseman will surely be a key part of their renaissance, while remaining a huge building block for the future.
