On Sunday night, Golden State Warriors fans were ecstatic to see their team play the San Antonio Spurs in a Summer League game. Especially with the return of James Wiseman from a torn meniscus in his right knee, which had kept him out since April 2021.
The 21-year-old Wiseman didn’t take long to live up to the hype, as he nailed a lob dunk in the first seconds of the game. That fantastic early dunk assisted by Jonathan Kuminga highlighted the young prospect’s debut performance.
Wiseman led the Warriors to their first Summer League victory with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and two rebounds in 20 minutes. Against the Spurs, the 7-footer made his only three-point attempt.
After the game, Wiseman was warmly welcomed by rapturous applause from his teammates as he entered the locker room. Wiseman couldn’t hide his gratitude for the encouraging gesture.
“I’ve been through a lot of hard times. To see everyone rooting for me, it’s a great feeling,” Wiseman expressed his delight.
The Warriors’ summer league coach Jama Mahlalela was already thrilled to see one of his top prospects seize the opportunity and demonstrate his talent on the field once more.
“For him to be able to come out and play in a summer league game like today with good composure and playing at the rim, blocking some shots, he just looked like a really good basketball player,” Mahlalela said.
He also advised the seven-footer to relax and enjoy himself in the game, and that everything else would fall into place in the end.
“That first outing is all we wanted, and we told him to come out, have fun, enjoy the game and let it come to him.” the coach added.
Wiseman’s role in team’s future
According to Mahlalela, Wiseman’s trainers wanted him to spend a certain amount of time in the gym to complete his solo workouts in preparation for his summer league debut. But he was so eager to help the team that he couldn’t wait to get on the court.
“It was physical. That’s a huge adjustment,” Wiseman described. “I’ve been out, so I’ve been doing a lot of individual workouts. So for me to just get that pushing, that physical contact, I’m proud to be out there,” he said with grinned.
Warriors have long sought to enhance their defensive play. With Wiseman’s return, the Warriors can begin to create a strategy for how they will pair him with team power forward Kevon Looney next season.
Mahlalela told ESPN that Wiseman’s dominance is palpable. With his roller efficacy, Mahlalela believes he can facilitate the Warriors in changing the game’s rhythm.
“He’s a screen setter and a roller, and the Warriors haven’t had a dynamic roller for many years. I think that’s an opportunity for us to change our game a little,” he observed.
“Defensively, it is about rim protection. And he’s a huge human being,” Mahlalela explained when asked how Wiseman’s involvement in defending the team, “The more we can get him to be a great off-ball, weakside defender and be able to alter or change or rim protect, it’s a simple package for him.” he added.
The Warriors hope to have a better understanding of how they want to utilize Wiseman’s talent and ability by the beginning of August.
“Until he’s playing, we don’t really know what we have. You don’t know what you’re working with,” Mahlalela admitted to ESPN. “I hope that by the first week of August, we have a much more clear plan of what he needs to work on through August and training camp.” he continued.