San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
7- footer could be next face of franchise
James Wiseman’s first NBA practice was “like letting a puppy out of the cage.”
Stephen Curry’s playful description was apropos and the analogy can be extended for the No. 2 overall pick.
The Warriors see Wiseman’s puppylike energy and enthusiasm as attributes they can develop into making him a guard dog this season and an alpha dog eventually.
“We’re talking about a different level of size and speed,” head coach Steve Kerr said of his rookie center, who is 7 feet 1 but moves like he’s 61. “And, you also have to picture what’s ahead; not what’s right now. He’s the equivalent of a sophomore in college who redshirted his first year. Where he is now, compared to where he’ll be two years from now, are two different things.”
Wiseman’s development is equally paramount for the present — the Warriors need him to protect the rim — and the future as the organization will need someone to replace Curry as the face of the franchise.
Assistant coach for player development Chris DeMarco has a detailed schedule for Wiseman, though the coronavirus pandemic often makes a joke of plans.
In a normal season, a player would be drafted in June, have a minicamp, play in a summer league then spend August acclimating to a new city and training trips in a team facility.
September or October would mark the start of training camp.
Instead, Wiseman was drafted Nov. 18 and training camp started less than two weeks later. Because of a positive coronavirus test, he wasn’t allowed into a group practice until Monday and didn’t play in the preseason.
“It’s a much quicker trip into the fire than it normally is, especially for James,” Kerr said. “There’s not a whole lot we can do, other than bring him along at the right pace. I think that’s our biggest challenge as the season gets started.” Using Zoom and Face Time with coordinated videos, DeMarco has started Wiseman on the basics: pick and roll coverages and fundamentals of defending in the post and on pindowns. On offense, they’ve worked on rim running and diving to the basket amid the team’s pace and space concepts.
“Nothing can replicate being out there with your teammates. It’s one thing to talk the game out and show him stuff on film, but once he gets out there, he has to feel it, see it and make mistakes to continue to grow,” DeMarco said. “He’s eager to get going and be out there with his teammates. He’s hungry to learn.”
After playing only three college games under mentor Penny Hardaway at Memphis because of NCAA regulations, Wiseman started training for his NBA career. He studied video of former NBA big men Chris Bosh, Kevin Garnett and David Robinson and defended the league’s fastest end to end guard, John Wall, during workouts.
Wiseman watched a recent practice from the balcony with former Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, a master of the dribble handoff, and has already been peppering teammates Draymond Green and Kevon Looney with detailed questions about quarterbacking the defense.
“I have confidence within myself and in my skill set, and I’m just trying to learn as much as possible from my vets,” said Wiseman. “I’m most definitely going to get my time soon, so I’m training hard and working my tail off every day and giving my full effort.”
Before Wiseman was allowed into scrimmages last week, he was doing 6: 30 a. m. workouts and using side sessions to do drills and go over defensive terminology. He already seems to understand the importance of the details.
Asked about his favorite part of his first practice, the rookie recalled setting a screen for Curry to shoot an open 3pointer. Of course, Curry made it, which Wiseman said was “dope.”
But don’t get it twisted. Wiseman wants to be more than a screen setter and rim runner. He said he wants to start and wants to be the rookie of the year.
“I feel like, if I just play my role and focus on the team concepts and the coaches’ game plan, then everything else will take care of itself,” Wiseman said. “I’m a high character, team player. That’s the only thing I care about: my team.
“Winning and longterm growth are the most important.”
General manager Bob Myers was impressed when he traveled with Kerr, director of sports medicine and performance Dr. Rick Celebrini and owner Joe Lacob to Miami to meet Wiseman in November. Even with a resume that already included working out with the trainer of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, the prospect didn’t show up with an entourage.
He arrived at the outdoor dinner by himself.
“We think he’ll put the time in. We think he’ll put the work in,” Myers said. “He’s got the talent. He’s got the skill. I think he’s got the work ethic. I think he wants it. That’s what we’re excited about. We see a guy who wants to work and wants to be great.”