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NEW YORK, USA – FEBRUARY 5 : Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry seen ahead of the NBA match between Golden Gate Warriors and Brooklyn Nets held on February 05, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, USA – FEBRUARY 5 : Golden State Warriors player Steph Curry seen ahead of the NBA match between Golden Gate Warriors and Brooklyn Nets held on February 05, 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors did not have a designated big for quite some time; however, it all changed over the course of this draft. With their 2nd pick, Steph Curry and the Dubs drafted James Wiseman.
The 7’1″ big from Memphis has been somewhat of a mystery player, given he has only played a total of 3 games in college.
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Warriors’ star Steph Curry was all praises for the center. In a recent interview with The Undefeated, when asked about what makes Wiseman special, Curry didn’t hold back.
“I think his demeanor – you can look at his physique and the raw, natural talent that he has, but when you talk to a guy that just has that look in his eye, like, ‘I’m just ready to learn, I’m ready to work’.
“I don’t think he’s afraid of the challenge. That says a lot. He obviously has to go out and prove it, and we’re going to be tough on him early to put him in the right mindset, what it takes to be successful in the NBA. But he’s got it.”
He added, “I’m excited, man. He could be a once-in-a-lifetime-type of talent in terms of what he can physically do on the court and how he sees the game. It’s going to be great for us.”
The Dubs will be pretty excited with Wiseman. Given his skill-set, he can be a mainstay in the team for a long time.
How can Steph Curry and the Warriors benefit from Wiseman?
The Warriors are looking like a very new squad now. Without Klay Thompson, the Dubs have brought in Kelly Oubre Jr. to increase their attacking threat. The team will surely stay competitive, but challenging for the title seems farfetched.
A weaker attack means the Warriors need their defense to step up. With a depleted center position, Wiseman might be the answer. With Draymond Green’s form regressing, they could use a man of Wiseman’s talents.
Given his size and speed, he has all the tools of becoming a shot-blocker and a great rebounder. His athleticism makes him a dynamic force at the transition and could also flourish in the fast-paced offense of the Dubs.
The Memphis star is an elite finisher and will be very useful in pick-and-roll and also can be a useful rim-runner. The 7’1″ big will certainly develop from the presence of veterans like Steph Curry and Draymond Green.
Given that he has only played 3 games in college, it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure that comes with the territory.
