Wiseman scores 11 points in Pistons debut, draws support from Green
Former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman began the second chapter of his NBA career Wednesday night in the Pistons' 127-109 loss to the NBA-leading Celtics.
Wiseman, who the Warriors dealt last week at the NBA trade deadline in exchange for Gary Payton II, shot 5-of-9 for 11 points and added five rebounds for Detroit. He entered the game late in the first quarter, subbing in for Jalen Duren, who tweaked his ankle. Wiseman missed his first shot, a 3-point attempt, but then made three consecutive baskets before he was subbed out.
He played 24 minutes, the first time since Dec. 21 that he has logged more than 20 minutes, and finished with a minus-9 net rating.
Wiseman admitted to The Athletic's James L. Edwards III after the game that he needed to improve his conditioning for game play after being largely out of the Warriors' rotation this season.
“My wind got to me a little bit,” he said of his defensive
performance, an area where he struggled with Golden State. “I'm going to do way better when I get my conditioning up.”
Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters in Boston
that he liked Wiseman's length and felt that he could help Detroit's defense.
“Even though he didn't block shots, he was there, he was a big body at the rim and deterred some shots,”
Casey said. “Once he gets a feel for what we're doing offensively, spacing, where to be, where to go, he's going to contribute on both ends of the floor.”
Former Warriors teammate Draymond Green sent encouragement Wiseman's way via social media, sharing to his Instagram Story an ESPN post featuring Wiseman and encouraging him to “go be a [star].” Green also shouted out the “mitten”, his home state of Michigan, which is Wiseman's new residence until at least the summer of 2024, when he is scheduled to be a restricted free agent.
Detroit doesn't have big plans to make a playoff run this season, so Wiseman should have plenty of time to develop. The Pistons, at 15-44 entering the AllStar break, have the NBA's third-worst record, ahead of only the Rockets and Spurs. Their first game after the break will be Feb. 23 in Orlando.