AP Photo/ Jeff Chiu
This Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman’s first two years in the NBA didn’t go well, but his prospects are very positive.
“Just going through, going through adversity, it teaches you a lot,” Wiseman said, according to
CJ Holmes
of the San Francisco Chronicle. “It basically brings you closer to yourself. I’m no longer afraid to be who I am. I’m happy with what I’ve been through because it’s shaped me into who I am today. It’s mentally, physically, in every way. Strengthens my side.”
Wiseman is the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft, more than Rookie of the Year and the most The best rookie leads by one position. Star LaMelo Ball. The Warriors center hasn’t quite reached the same level of individual success that he announced in April 2021 Suffered a torn meniscus and ended his rookie season in April 2021 with just 39 games played. He then missed the entire 2021-22 and 5.8 rebounds per game while recovering from a knee injury while trying to be more efficient. According to Basketball Reference, he was worth 0.6 less than a bench player at the end of his rookie season.
“I feel like the odds are stacked against me every day because of my injury,” Wiseman said. “I’ve had a lot of setbacks and now I feel like I have to catch up. But that’s why I’m just being patient with myself. I’m just trying to figure it all out and that’s it.”
In addition to his physical recovery, the young player is also focusing on the mental side of the game.
“People only see me on the basketball court; they don’t see what’s really going on behind the scenes,” Wiseman said. “I had to do a lot of things for myself, a lot of self-reflection and healing. Those are just invisible times that people don’t understand.”
That could allow the 21-year-old to make a big comeback in 2022-23.
The Golden State Warriors don’t need Wiseman to win the 2022 NBA championship, but if he lives up to his expectations next season, the center might Makes the team more dangerous.
