James Wiseman is Ducking the Kevin Garnett Smoke

With the No. 2 pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors decided to select James Wiseman, the center from Memphis.

Wiseman’s scouting report says he reads the game slowly and after missing his entire freshman year at college, it didn’t make all the sense in the world to bring in a project to play alongside Steph, Klay and Draymond—who are playing for championships, not to help develop kids.

James Wiseman had a decent rookie season battling through injuries and such.

In 39 games, Wiseman averaged 11.5 points on 51.9% shooting from the field with 5.8 rebounds and about a block per game.

Odd that a team constantly being discussed as so smart and forward-thinking would draft a player based on roster fit instead of selecting the best player available. Especially if you were so bad the year prior that you earned the No. 2 pick. Imagine how good the Warriors would be with LaMelo Ball.

But speaking of this genius front office, Warriors GM, Bob Myers, recently gave a radio interview revealing his offseason plans for James Wiseman:

Bob Myers just now on @957thegame said the Warriors had set up for James Wiseman to work out with Kevin Garnett this offseason: “The thing now is you don’t want to throw a guy (out there) that’s not 100 percent healthy with KG — or else you’re in trouble (laughs).”

— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) May 26, 2021

Personally, if I had a young center on my roster expected to play a major part in my win-now franchise, I’d have him training with Kevin Garnett during the offseason and getting better at his craft instead of getting “100%” because if there is anything the Warriors of all teams know: there is no such thing as 100%.

Klay Thompson was 100% and cleared to play this season. Still tore his achilles.

What is the point of keeping James Wiseman fresh if he’s going to stink? Either he sits all year because he tweaked an injury or he sits all year because he’s not good at basketball.

I’d send him to Kevin Garnett and take my chances.

Perhaps Wiseman just didn’t have what it takes to have Garnett barking like a rottweiler in his face while he defends him in the post.

If Wiseman is afraid to practice with a retired player then what chance does he have against Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic?

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