Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr believes James Wiseman should develop himself along the same lines as Deandre Ayton as a player.
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Since the 2019 NBA Finals, the Warriors have been struggling to get back to their winning ways. One of the major reasons for the Bay area team failing to perform is injuries to its top players and the lack of size on the roster.
The Warriors’ 2019-20 season was probably the worst in franchise history. The team had a mere 15-wins, with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson out for the season due to injury and Kevin Durant joining the Brooklyn Nets.
However, the Warriors fans had something to cheer about going into the 2020-21 season as they had the 2nd pick in the NBA Draft, followed by Stephen Curry making a return after a year’s hiatus.
GSW selected James Wiseman as the 2nd pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The close to 7-foot center was the perfect fit for the Bay area team, giving them the size they required.
Wiseman seemed quite agile for his height and could run both ends of the floor. The rookie made quite an impressive start to the season and was at one time even in the conversation for the rookie of the year.
Unfortunately, the big man’s season was cut short due to a meniscus injury he sustained in April in a game against the Rockets, which had him miss the remainder of the season.
Wiseman had a rough season in terms of health. However, the team has a lot of faith in the 20-year olds talent. Coach Kerr, who has played 15-years in the NBA and won five championships believes, Wiseman has the ability to be an efficient player such as the likes of Deandre Ayton.
Steve Kerr believes James Wiseman has the potential to be on the level of Deandre Ayton
The Phoenix Suns achieved major success this year, making it to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. The Suns defeated the defending champions LA Lakers in the first round of the playoffs and swept the Nuggets in the semi-finals.
It would not be wrong to say Deandre Ayton has been one of the major factors in the Suns’ success this year. The 22-year old has been sensational in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Ayton has averaged 15.8 PPG, 12.2 RPG, and 1.o BPG on an incredible 68.1% shooting from the field so far in the Playoffs.
The Suns’ center has beaten the likes of Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard when it comes to efficiency.
On the offensive end these playoffs, Ayton has the best postseason true-shooting % (TS%) in NBA playoff history
The top 5:
1. Deandre Ayton (2021): 70.5%
2. Kevin Durant (2017): 68.3%
3. Kawhi Leonard (2021): 67.9%
4. Kawhi Leonard (2017): 67.2%
5. Kevin McHale (1988): 67.0%— wojvert (@_nba247_) July 2, 2021
Former coach of the year Steve Kerr feels Wiseman can play a similar role for the Warriors, on the lines of what Ayton plays for the Suns.
“To me, the most interesting thing has been watching Deandre Ayton. I talked to James (Wiseman) and texted him, and I’m just so inspired by what Ayton has been able to do, and I think there’s no reason why James can’t follow that same path.”
Steve Kerr just now on @DRK957
— Whitley Sandretto (@WSandretto) July 15, 2021
Wiseman averaged 11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, and 0.9 BPG in 39 games he played in the 2020-21 season. The Warriors center shot an efficient 51.9% from the field in only his first year in the NBA.
