Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr on Monday called it insane what the team has asked of James Wiseman to this point of the season but the former Coach of the Year has been quite impressed with how the rookie has responded.
Wiseman has enjoyed a strong start to his rookie campaign, despite missing the start of training camp and the preseason due to the coronavirus. Through his first three games, Wiseman is averaging 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one steal while he is shooting 83.3% (5-of-6) from 3-point range.
The Warriors believe Wiseman can be a key player this season and have asked a lot of him on the court. For a player that missed practice and didn’t play in a competitive basketball game in over a year before joining the Warriors, Wiseman has squashed any doubt over how he would make the transition to the NBA.
“It’s all overwhelming and he is handling it beautifully,” Kerr said. “He is such a willing learner. He doesn’t take coaching personally. He absorbs it. He accepts it because he understands it’s all part of the process. There is just so much going on in an NBA game at one time and that’s why it takes guys time to really blossom. He is already showing what he can do. This season in a lot of ways is really about understanding what’s happening on the floor and absorbing [it].”
Golden State hasn’t gotten off to a great start this season, going just 1-2 over their first three games. Wiseman has been among the few bright spots so far and they will continue to need his production on the court in what projects to be a difficult year after enduring several key injuries.
Wiseman became the youngest Warrior to start in an opening game since the 1970-71 season and that figures to be the first of several accolades the 19-year-old will reach this season based on his early success.
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