While Jordan Poole is the most obvious recent example of a Warriors player who benefited from a stint in the G League before breaking out at the NBA level, Anthony Slater of The Athletic believes Kevon Looney may be a better point of comparison for James Wiseman, who is headed to the Santa Cruz Warriors on Tuesday.
As Slater writes, Looney spent time in the G League in each of his first three NBA seasons, including a stint in his second year after he had been pulled from the team’s rotation. Looney has since evolved into one of Golden State’s most dependable and trusted veterans, but admits he wasn’t thrilled by the assignment at the time, and he knows it may not be easy for Wiseman to take his own G League assignment in stride.
“It’s really difficult,” Looney said. “Especially when you’re a high pick. You got all these expectations. You’re coming off injury. You want to prove yourself to all the doubters. You see all your peers doing well, everyone talking about how good they are and you feel like you’re just as good and things aren’t coming as fast. It makes it frustrating.”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- According to Slater, JaMychal Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Anthony Lamb are likely to remain in Golden State’s rotation with Wiseman in Santa Cruz. Head coach Steve Kerr said after Monday’s win that he hasn’t done Green “any favors” by how he has used him so far (video link via Slater). Kerr now believes Green is best suited to be a backup center, rather than a power forward, and believes Green’s ability to space the floor will help create room for Poole to operate.
- After pouring in 36 points on Monday, Poole is now averaging 28.7 PPG on .475/.394/.944 shooting in three starts this season, compared to 13.9 PPG (.421/.323/.765 shooting) in 11 games off the bench. Kerr said on Monday that things come easier for Poole when an opponent’s top defender is focused on Stephen Curry and he can utilize screens set by Looney and Draymond Green (Twitter link via Kendra Andrews of ESPN). However, as he said last week, Kerr stressed that he’s not considering moving Poole into the starting five on a full-time basis.
- In a conversation with Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Klay Thompson expressed some frustration that helping lead the Warriors to four titles and returning from two major leg injuries hasn’t earned him more leeway from critics as he works through an extended slump. The veteran sharpshooter remains confident that he both he and the Warriors will find their stride sooner or later. “I’m happy to go through this now compared to a few months from now,” Thompson said. “No need to panic. We’re like 14 games in. It’s a long season. We face a challenge of going back-to-back, which is incredibly difficult. And then trying to integrate the new guys. It’s going to take time but we’ll figure it out.”
As much as I love Klay … maybe if he’s working himself back, consider coming off the bench for a bit? Less pressure and he can work on his conditioning as well. He’s allowing faster guards to blow by him consistently so until he gets back to somewhat of a normal health level … just ease into it.
I agree. He’s been a great player for them but he’s had some terrible injuries and is going into his mid 30s soon. Needs to do what’s best for the team
He’s eight times the defender that poole is. One of the main reasons we can’t play poole more than 25 minutes is because he gets targeted on the other side of the floor. Klay although struggling offensively is a great defensive rebounder and can guard the opposing teams best player on a switch from wiggins or draymond
If he’s that good how come the team’s record is so bad with Klay there? The teams defense is bad in general right now but the Warriors with Poole starting have a much better record over the last two years then with him on the bench and Thompson starting. That’s a fact
They can hide Klay on offense and take advantage of his defense when he is with the starters because there are other scoring threats. There is nowhere for his offensive struggles to hide when he is in the 2nd unit. They would depend on him to score and he’s not that guy. Just like Poole excels with the gravity of Curry, so does Klay. Klay is a catch and shoot no dribble dude. In the 2nd unit who is going to feed him? DiVincenzo?
Wiseman’s attitude will be the key going forward. Does he have the hunger for success? Does he have the perverance and do ot die mentality? Does he have complete faith in Myers and Kerr? Or is he going to be complacent with his $40m rookie contract? His case is different than Poole’s or Looney’s. His peers will be signing max extensions next offseason, and His camp could begin to lose faith. Let’s hope he will stay positive and work the hardest because Warrios could need him down the stretch.
Michol youre thinking too hard on this, Wiseman can continue to grow as a player and he has always been an underplayed prospect of a draft pick, not a fully-grown NBA player like many other top picks are.
Ive seen enough of him to know he’s going to show out in the NBA sooner than later. Trust me.
I just want to see him play well and contribute sooner than later. We do not want to waste Curry’s prime or title window. He will be making $12.1m next yr and then extension, and Warriors have too much luxury tax issues.
Given most of your posts, that’s a tall order.
I doubt thinking hard, or critical thinking of any kind is taking place in an NBA media comment section. Sports fans aren’t typically your long in thought, critical thinking, investigatory, plan in advance, problem solving types.
If I had any control over anything I would not allow Kerr to play anyone but Looney Draymond Wiggins Klay Poole Steph Kuminga Wiseman Moody then maybe use J-Myke DiVenczo Baldwin and Rollins if there’s foul problems or the game is blown out.
There isn’t more talent in the league 1-9, show me what team has a better 1-9 than GSW.
Title teams happen in mysterious ways. If you think too narrowly, Warriors would not have discovered GP3 and Otto last year. It’s not always about talent, but chemistry. Let’s see how it plays out as both Kuminga and Moody had moster game last night.
Anthony Lamb should be part of that lineup. I know you hate him for inexplicable reasons to the point you confuse him with a retired guy, but he’s been a net positive by almost everything there are numbers for this year. He has the talent and the shooting touch to really help the Warriors bench unit. And his shot selection is honestly great. Yeah, he doesn’t play the best defense, but neither do a lot of bench guys, and he can get you buckets without a ton of shots. Man just put up 17 points on 6/7, and he averages less than one turnover per game.
Unfortunately, A’sfan blocked me. Hurts to see coming from another A’s fan. But once again trippin when it comes to warriors talk. Dubs have the best 1-5 in the league but after that they’re worst in the league. Statistically speaking of course
You should wear him blocking you as a badge of honor.
Green is falling off, Klay is a shell of himself. The only success stories for the Warriors right now are Steph, Looney who needs to play more and Wiggins
Wiseman should of already been in the G league at the start of the year because he would be ready now. For his backup role
The Warriors are much better in the last two years with Poole starting. Klay needs to be demoted to the bench. At least until he gets his mojo back
Poole starting is a bad idea. They are much better defensively with Klay starting.
Given that they have a bottom 10 defense right now (bottom 3 in points allowed), I doubt that.
He’s eight times the defender that poole is. One of the main reasons we can’t play poole more than 25 minutes is because he gets targeted on the other side of the floor. Klay although struggling offensively is a great defensive rebounder and can guard the opposing teams best player on a switch from wiggins or draymond
You really like that “8times the defender” line, huh?
Thompson has people getting past him all the time now. He’s visibly frustrated by what age and injuries have done to him.
It’s almost like he’s asking everyone to bear with him til the playoffs, when he KNOWS he’ll be ready to make shots.
Thing is, if he doesn’t make any before then, playoffs or playoff seed may be questionable.
Wiseman obviously isn’t ready to play defense a backup 5 needs to play. The playing time in the G league should help.
That said, it will be interesting to see if JaMychal is up to the task.
We’ll give you …….
Mitch, Randle, Quickley and two #1 picks ….
For >>>>>>>
Wiseman and Dre ………
Come On …..
Wiseman IS young and did not play a lot of BB in college+Covid and got seriously injured … Love Klay but he is not in shape so i’ld like Kerr to plug Kuminga in the starting line up.
Thompson Starts.
Curious why Kerr wouldn’t start Poole, Curry and Klay if he’s hesitant to have Klay come off the bench. Also Curious why he’s hesitant to have Klay come off the bench
I like Wiseman and I’m rooting for him, BUT I’m also rooting for more titles before the Splash Bros are done. The Dubs need a veteran presence off the bench and some defense in the worst possible way.
Jae Crowder is just sitting out with Phoenix, hoping for a trade. The Warriors’ cap situation would require some salary offset, but something built around Crowder for Wiseman allows that (probably involving picks too).
Jae Crowder also allows some insurance for next year if Draymond does indeed leave.