Second choice of the Draft 2020, James Wiseman never managed to find his place in the jersey of Golden State. Often hampered by injuries, he played very little. Especially since even when he had the opportunity to be on the floor, he failed to blend into the Warriors collective. Result: Bob Myers made the choice to stop the experiment last February, by sending James Wiseman to Detroit.
“It’s a business” includes James Wiseman. “I could see it when I was traded. It is an experience in itself. I just have to take things day by day. I’ve only played 78 games (80 today), since I’ve been in the league, so it’s going to take time.”.
As for the criticism of his move to the Warriors, and therefore his failed start to his career, he is well aware of it.
” That’s life. I can’t control it, like the fact that I hurt myself and that kind of stuff, it happened like that” he answers. “I can’t control this. I am a human being. So I have to take things day by day, accept the journey, the ups and downs. Not every day will be fantastic. It’s like that “.
Landed in Detroit during the “trade deadline”, James Wiseman can now play and make mistakes, which was not possible in an ambitious team like Golden State. Since his arrival in Michigan, he has in any case run 13.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in the 20 games played for the Pistons.
A new start
“It’s a bit like my rookie year, given the number of games I’ve played” explains James Wiseman. “So I have to take things day by day. I don’t have to be too hard on myself on many aspects, on being good right away. Sometimes it comes to mind, but I have to be honest with myself. That will take time. It won’t be right away. It will come with time, it just takes time in this business. I just have to keep working. That’s all “.
It must be said that James Wiseman fell into the ideal franchise to progress. The Pistons are in a rebuilding phase with several talented young players to develop for years to come. He will now be able to progress at his own pace, away from the spotlight and the pressure of San Francisco.
“In the short term, I just have to improve and grow” he continues. “I watch as many game videos as I can and I don’t blame myself if I make mistakes or if I’m wrong. It’s part of the journey, it’s going to happen, because I haven’t played for so long. It will take time for me to believe in myself and know that I can do this. I have to keep working every day, and everything will eventually fall into place”.
Even though he arrived in the league in 2020, James Wiseman ended up only playing 80 NBA games. A point that caught the eye of his coach, Dwane Casey.
“At the coaching staff meeting this morning, we looked at the stats of James Wiseman and Jalen Duren” underlined the coach. “Even though James Wiseman has been playing in the NBA for three years, Jalen Duren (rookie) has played the same number of minutes as him in this league. The key for Wiseman is to have the opportunity to play, to have minutes and to play in situations in which he has not been. Here he is part of a growing group and that is what he needs. Just this opportunity, a pat on the back and some work”.
| James Wiseman | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2020-21 | GOS | 39 | 21 | 51.9 | 31.6 | 62.8 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 11.5 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 41 | 19 | 56.9 | 21.1 | 70.0 | 1.6 | 4.3 | 5.9 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 9.9 |
| 2022-23 * | GOS | 21 | 13 | 62.8 | 50.0 | 68.4 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 6.9 |
| 2022-23 * | TED | 20 | 26 | 54.3 | 17.6 | 71.4 | 2.4 | 6.2 | 8.5 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 13.1 |
| Total | 80 | 20 | 54.2 | 28.1 | 66.3 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 10.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
