Prospect Thread: James Wiseman

[KGdaBom]

We probably just take BPA at 3. I'd say there is almost 0% chance of us giving up a future first - protected or not- to move up in this draft.

I'm assuming that's what your angling for.

I actually want to stay at 1 and draft Lamelo Ball as I’m very high on his playmaking ability.

This is by far a minority opinion of Wolves fans. YUCK!!!

[KGdaBom]

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You guys can listen to the interview yourself and judge it

In the past week they’ve also said they like Ball and Deni. They also apparently like Edwards and Toppin.

Your post said “Wiseman only wants to go to the Hornets or the Warriors”. It doesn’t matter what Wiseman wants.

Unless something has changed, it’s the teams that pick the prospect, not the prospect picking the team.


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I hope Minnesota adheres to this philosophy and drafts Wiseman.

[BigSlam]

Vandy: I took this from the OO thread, because I think it’s interesting but it is going to be more about Wiseman than it is Oknogwu.

....It's one of the things that drives me crazy about all the Wiseman hype. He really hasn't demonstrated much beyond being tall and looking smooth.

Here’s what I’m wondering:

How many players/prospects have that combination of tall and smooth though? And it’s not just tall, it’s realllllllly tall and reallllllly long and reallllllllly well built (not a beanpole)?

We see comparisons to guys like Drummond and Whiteside and Embidd who certainly have the height, but they are nowhere near as smooth.

Even a guy like KAT isn’t as smooth.

The only ones I can think of are guys like KG, Bosh and maybe Aldridge (mainly coming out of Texas - he’s a little clunkier now).

I guess you could add the new breed of bigs like Jarrett Allan and Jaxson Hayes who are tall and smooth, but they lack the refinement that Wiseman may, or may not, have.

I’m wondering if we are looking at “tall and smooth” and overlooking how rare those two qualities are.


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[James Gatz]

It depends how you define "smooth." For me in the open court his stride is incredibly smooth, especially for someone of his size. When it comes to defensively I don't see the smoothness. He needs time to load up vertically and isn't able to move laterally that well at all.

I agree with the general thesis though. A big who smooth in most areas of the game with his size is worthy of a top 3 pick.

[BigSlam]

It depends how you define "smooth."

You make an excellent point re: “smooth” JG.

For example, I mentioned Embiid above and how much more smooth than him Wiseman is, but Embiid in the paint on offence is sooooooo smooth. Just like Big Al - such a plodder up and down and court and side to side, but in the post on offence he was amazingly smooth.

By “smooth” I was referring to guys more like Siakim and the previously mentioned Allan and Hayes. Guys who can really get up and down the court, spin in tight confinement, slide through traffic and get up off the ground quickly.


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[DY_nasty]

its easier to be/look coordinated or smooth in offense because you know where to go, whereas on defense - for young players in particular - you're reacting and not initiating

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

Vandy: I took this from the OO thread, because I think it’s interesting but it is going to be more about Wiseman than it is Oknogwu.

....It's one of the things that drives me crazy about all the Wiseman hype. He really hasn't demonstrated much beyond being tall and looking smooth.

Here’s what I’m wondering:

How many players/prospects have that combination of tall and smooth though? And it’s not just tall, it’s realllllllly tall and reallllllly long and reallllllllly well built (not a beanpole)?

I looked up center and smooth on Draftexpress using google and got over 10 pages of responses.

[JMAC3]

Hypothetically if we do draft Wiseman what role does he play from day 1? What minutes does he play? What current guys on roster fit well with him? Stat Line Projections?

I would assume he starts from day 1 over Zeller. Giving us a solid 2 big rotation with maybe a cheap 3rd center (Biz) and PJ playing some minutes.

Minutes are hard to project, but I would assume adding him would really cut into PJ at the 5 minutes. Wiseman 26/Zeller 20/ PJ 2.

Monk is our best half court lob thrower so him and Wiseman could be a really good tandem in PnR. Graham also excels in PnR but he prefers to stay more on perimeter hunting threes and looking for passing angles. Bridges and PJ are probably effected in the fact that we will play small ball less and they will not get as many minutes sliding up a position.

Assuming my minutes projection of 26 is in the correct ball park range I would assume his per 36 numbers will be in the same area as Mitchell Robinson (15/11/3). Meaning if you move those down into a 26 min line it’s roughly 11/8/2.2 which seems about right for rookie season.

[Hornet Mania]

Hypothetically if we do draft Wiseman what role does he play from day 1? What minutes does he play? What current guys on roster fit well with him? Stat Line Projections?

I would assume he starts from day 1 over Zeller. Giving us a solid 2 big rotation with maybe a cheap 3rd center (Biz) and PJ playing some minutes.

Minutes are hard to project, but I would assume adding him would really cut into PJ at the 5 minutes. Wiseman 26/Zeller 20/ PJ 2.

Monk is our best half court lob thrower so him and Wiseman could be a really good tandem in PnR. Graham also excels in PnR but he prefers to stay more on perimeter hunting threes and looking for passing angles. Bridges and PJ are probably effected in the fact that we will play small ball less and they will not get as many minutes sliding up a position.

Assuming my minutes projection of 26 is in the correct ball park range I would assume his per 36 numbers will be in the same area as Mitchell Robinson (15/11/3). Meaning if you move those down into a 26 min line it’s roughly 11/8/2.2 which seems about right for rookie season.

If we draft Wiseman I expect he will just slide neatly into the Biz role, which in the best-case could be an upgrade even from day one. I think your stat expectations are on the money, although he might not be quite as good a rebounder as Robinson straight out of the gate.

My dream scenario would be use Wiseman as the new Biz, he shows flashes of brilliance, we trade Zeller for a nice pick at the deadline and slide Wiseman into the starting lineup to gain experience during the stretch run.

That is also my dream scenario for Okongwu.

[JMAC3]

@Hornet Mania

That’s about as low of expectations I have ever seen from a top 3 pick. I get this draft is on the weaker side but I feel we can find a Biz replacement in the 30-40 range not the top 3.

[Hornet Mania]

@Hornet Mania

That’s about as low of expectations I have ever seen from a top 3 pick. I get this draft is on the weaker side but I feel we can find a Biz replacement in the 30-40 range not the top 3.

I just meant to say Wiseman will take Biz's minutes and role early on, not that he will be equal to Biz as a player. I think all rookies are going to struggle to make an impact this year though, they might look worse early on than we expect.

[Braggins]

Hypothetically if we do draft Wiseman what role does he play from day 1?

Commander of the Cade Cunningham tank.

Joking aside, I think Zeller would still start over him if hes still on the roster, which I personally hope isn't the case even though Ive always liked/appreciated him.

[Liver_Pooty]

Wiseman had more skill in 7th grade than Biyombo does currently. He'd be a significant upgrade from day one.

[UnFadeable21]

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[James Gatz]

Question for the Wiseman fans: Outside of age what distinguishes Wiseman from Udoka Azubuike?

Both are similar heights, wingspan and weight, Wiseman a bit taller, Azubuike with longer arms. Both are vertically explosive off two feet. Both project as rim runners/rim protectors.

Wiseman definitely has a better chance to shoot but Azubuike will likely be a better finisher.

For me, if we want someone with size and pop then we should take Azubuike at 32 over Wiseman at 3 (or 1 gulp).

[BigSlam]

Question for the Wiseman fans: Outside of age what distinguishes Wiseman from Udoka Azubuike?

Both are similar heights, wingspan and weight, Wiseman a bit taller, Azubuike with longer arms. Both are vertically explosive off two feet. Both project as rim runners/rim protectors.

Wiseman definitely has a better chance to shoot but Azubuike will likely be a better finisher.

For me, if we want someone with size and pop then we should take Azubuike at 32 over Wiseman at 3 (or 1 gulp).

At 6’9” and 7’1” I wouldn’t say they are similar heights at all?

I think Wiseman will be much, much better on offence and at least as good on defence as Okongwu.

As for someone like Azubukie: If he was as agile and mobile as Wiseman he might be spoken about as a top 3 pick. But he’s not, so he’s not!


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[James Gatz]

Question for the Wiseman fans: Outside of age what distinguishes Wiseman from Udoka Azubuike?

Both are similar heights, wingspan and weight, Wiseman a bit taller, Azubuike with longer arms. Both are vertically explosive off two feet. Both project as rim runners/rim protectors.

Wiseman definitely has a better chance to shoot but Azubuike will likely be a better finisher.

For me, if we want someone with size and pop then we should take Azubuike at 32 over Wiseman at 3 (or 1 gulp).

At 6’9” and 7’1” I wouldn’t say they are similar heights at all?

I think Wiseman will be much, much better on offence and at least as good on defence as Okongwu.

As for someone like Azubukie: If he was as agile and mobile as Wiseman he might be spoken about as a top 3 pick. But he’s not, so he’s not!


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Isn't Udoka Azubuike listed as like 6'11 or 7'0? I haven't seen the 6'9 number. Udoka Azubuike also has a 7'7 wingspan.

Also straight line speed Wiseman is certainly better.



As for Okongwu I'm of the opinion that he will be better defender than Wiseman. He'll certainly be more versatile. No way Wiseman defends on the perimeter.

[BigSlam]

Isn't Udoka Azubuike listed as like 6'11 or 7'0? I haven't seen the 6'9 number. Udoka Azubuike also has a 7'7 wingspan.

Oh my Gosh what an idiot!!

I'm so sorry - I thought your entire question was regarding Wiseman Vs Okongwu - not Wiseman Vs Azubuike!! Serves me right for reading quickly and not comprehending correctly. I've got Okongwu on the brain!

So, let's try that again....

Question for the Wiseman fans: Outside of age what distinguishes Wiseman from Udoka Azubuike?

For me it goes back to what we were discussing on the weekend re: being smooth. Azubuike strikes me as a plodder and not really what I like in the modern NBA - whereas Wiseman is just so smooth and fluid and agile.

I'd also wonder if Azubuike has maxed out, or close to maxed out, his potential whereas Wiseman is only starting to tap into his.

And I know you said to ignore the 2 year age difference, but that's hard to do. It's also something that is held against a prospect like Toppin as well, so it wouldn't be fair to omit it in Azubuike's case.

All that to say, and as I did in the draft prospects thread, I'd be cool with Azubuike at #32.

[amcoolio]

I actually think Wiseman will be Nikola Jokic-level on defense...if you are taking Wiseman you are hoping he is an offensive force. I doubt he will ever make a 1st or 2nd team all defense team.

[wilson115]

Question for the Wiseman fans: Outside of age what distinguishes Wiseman from Udoka Azubuike?

Both are similar heights, wingspan and weight, Wiseman a bit taller, Azubuike with longer arms. Both are vertically explosive off two feet. Both project as rim runners/rim protectors.

Wiseman definitely has a better chance to shoot but Azubuike will likely be a better finisher.

For me, if we want someone with size and pop then we should take Azubuike at 32 over Wiseman at 3 (or 1 gulp).

Honestly an interesting question. If you're in the camp that says draft centers for their defense, a case can be made. The other end of the floor, well....

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