Prospect Thread: James Wiseman

[James Gatz]

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.

If that's the case then I don't see it for Wiseman. He's never going to be the level of KAT or Jokic on offense. He'll never even reach the level of Ayton either. Ayton showed way more skill both in college and AAU.

For me, the only way I see Wiseman as worth a top pick is if he ends up being Gobert like defender. fwiw I don't think he will be.

[UnFadeable21]

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[yosemiteben]

I have a hard time believing GSW wants Wiseman all that much. We'll see.

[James Gatz]

I totally believe MJ would fall in love with Wiseman tho

[HornetJail]

I have a hard time believing GSW wants Wiseman all that much. We'll see.

The only reason I've tried not to get my hopes up about Wiseman is because I'm almost positive the Warriors will take him if they keep the pick. Their center is currently Marquese **** Chriss. A rookie Wiseman is (at worst) a solid rim runner, rebounder, and competent rim protector that puts the likes of Marquese Chriss and Javale McGee to shame. What do the other top prospects even do for them? A young Edwards can be a smaller Wiggins? LaMelo would be the weirdest fit ever. Maybe they fall in love with Okongwu/Hayes/Haliburton/Deni and can't find the right trade down deal, but I'm not seeing any of those as natural fits either.

[stinger14]

I think Hornets, Warriors, and a lot of teams would want to draft Wiseman. If he had been able to showcase himself longer in college, I dont believe there would be a debate about who the #1 pick would be.

[Rays Pompadour]

Warming up to Okongwu.

[stinger14]

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).

I know you said to ignore the age difference, but you can't do that. Here is a comparison in their numbers, one player playing in his Senior season, his 4th collegiate season, while the other was a true Freshman.

Wiseman on top
Azubuike on bottom

FGA / FG% / FTA / FT% / Points / Rebounds

8.3 / 80% / 9.0 / 70.4% / 19.7 / 10.7
7.8 / 74.8% / 4.7 / 41.6% / 13.7 / 10.5

BLK / TOV / PF

3.0 / 1.0 / 1.7
2.6 / 2.5 / 2.4

Wiseman as a true freshman has better numbers in every category compared to Azubuike as a 4th year Senior.

If you ever watched Azubuike play, you know why his turnovers and personal fouls per game are higher, dude plays with low bbiq. Azubuike cannot shoot beyond about 2 feet, he is dunk or nothing. As you can see, he can't even shoot free throws. Azubuike is slow, and commits bad fouls trying to recover. Azubuike has shown some improvements since his freshman year, but not nearly enough. I don't see much improvement from him going forward.

Wiseman on the other hand has potential to become a decent shooter. You can see he shot free throws well for a freshman big guy, and he has potential with his form. Wiseman plays with a much higher bbiq, and you can see his low turnover rate and low foul rate while blocking shots at a higher rate. Wiseman is already better at both ends of the court, and is only going to get better and better, very explosive in the open court too.

[LofJ]

Unless it comes from Shams, Woj, Lowe, or the few other actually connected guys I don't believe any of the rumors. It's peak BS season in the NBA.

[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).

I know you said to ignore the age difference, but you can't do that. Here is a comparison in their numbers, one player playing in his Senior season, his 4th collegiate season, while the other was a true Freshman.

Wiseman on top
Azubuike on bottom

FGA / FG% / FTA / FT% / Points / Rebounds

8.3 / 80% / 9.0 / 70.4% / 19.7 / 10.7
7.8 / 74.8% / 4.7 / 41.6% / 13.7 / 10.5

BLK / TOV / PF

3.0 / 1.0 / 1.7
2.6 / 2.5 / 2.4

Wiseman as a true freshman has better numbers in every category compared to Azubuike as a 4th year Senior.

If you ever watched Azubuike play, you know why his turnovers and personal fouls per game are higher, dude plays with low bbiq. Azubuike cannot shoot beyond about 2 feet, he is dunk or nothing. As you can see, he can't even shoot free throws. Azubuike is slow, and commits bad fouls trying to recover. Azubuike has shown some improvements since his freshman year, but not nearly enough. I don't see much improvement from him going forward.

Wiseman on the other hand has potential to become a decent shooter. You can see he shot free throws well for a freshman big guy, and he has potential with his form. Wiseman plays with a much higher bbiq, and you can see his low turnover rate and low foul rate while blocking shots at a higher rate. Wiseman is already better at both ends of the court, and is only going to get better and better, very explosive in the open court too.

All solid points on your end!

While I don't think we can really base too much off the 3 game sample size, I do appreciate the response. I haven't watched Azubuike play much and while I don't believe Wiseman has high feel, I don't think it's super low.

Also the age issue certainly matters. I was just looking for other differences.

[JMAC3]

I don’t hate Wiseman. I think he can become a really solid center in the league and had Allstar potential.

It’s just that I don’t think he helps us win games or become anything special. I don’t know if he is any better than Deandre Ayton.

I would much rather draft a guy who can be Devin Booker (Edwards) or Ball (Trae Young). Especially if we are having to trade up to get him lol.

This is type of move that can set us back two years in a rebuild.

[JMAC3]

Warriors are going to win this draft. They are trying to manipulate a way to get Lamelo. The way they are doing it building up this love for Wiseman so we trade up and then they guarantee themselves Ball.

[JMAC3]

We trade up to 1
1. Hornets- Wiseman
2. Warriors- Ball
3. T-Wolves- Edwards

We overpay to get worst prospect out of three. Warriors land their number 1 guy (smokescreen) haven’t heard they like Ball all year. Wolves get guy who fits best on their team and pick up extra assets.

We are big losers. Can’t wait.

[Liver_Pooty]

I still don't see the Booker comparison with Edwards. Like, I dont see it at all.

[stinger14]

First off, I am not saying that Wisrman will ever reach the same level, because frankly not many players ever do. Getting that out of the way, I compare Wiseman to David Robinson, and not just because both are left handed....lol

What I remember from Robinson that I see in Wiseman.

Good shooters up to 15-20 feet. Wiseman is also working to extend his shot beyond the arc. Good free throw shooters that know how to draw and finish through contact.

Speed, quickness, and explosiveness that make for a great big man slasher, rim runner, great rebounder, and great shot blocker who alternates many others as well. Combine his speed and quickness with the length comes the ability to be a switch defender.

High bbiq on both ends of the floor. Makes winning basketball plays, plays to help his team, not plays that hurt the team. Kid is very intelligent. If you watch interviews with him, he is quick and thorough with his responses.

Penny Hardaway speaks very high of him as a person, as a player, as a teammate, a hard worker, and says he is very coachable.

I have to admit, I always liked Wiseman as a player, but never wanted him in a Hornets uniform as the league has become so guard oriented. However, the more I study and watch his game, hear his interviews, and listen to coaches and teammates talk about him, I have changed my mind. I want to draft Wiseman badly.

[JMAC3]

I still don't see the Booker comparison with Edwards. Like, I dont see it at all.

So you don’t think he can be 20 ppg 2 guard who can score at all three levels?

[stinger14]

I still don't see the Booker comparison with Edwards. Like, I dont see it at all.

Agreed. I mean both are wing players who can score at all 3 levels, but their game is also different. Right now, Booker is a much better and more consistent shooter. Edwards is way more athletic. Edwards can become a much better defender if he puts the work in. I am a fan of Edwards, but have turned my focus to Wiseman.

[James Gatz]

First off, I am not saying that Wisrman will ever reach the same level, because frankly not many players ever do. Getting that out of the way, I compare Wiseman to David Robinson, and not just because both are left handed....lol

What I remember from Robinson that I see in Wiseman.

Good shooters up to 15-20 feet. Wiseman is also working to extend his shot beyond the arc. Good free throw shooters that know how to draw and finish through contact.

Speed, quickness, and explosiveness that make for a great big man slasher, rim runner, great rebounder, and great shot blocker who alternates many others as well. Combine his speed and quickness with the length comes the ability to be a switch defender.

High bbiq on both ends of the floor. Makes winning basketball plays, plays to help his team, not plays that hurt the team. Kid is very intelligent. If you watch interviews with him, he is quick and thorough with his responses.

Penny Hardaway speaks very high of him as a person, as a player, as a teammate, a hard worker, and says he is very coachable.

I have to admit, I always liked Wiseman as a player, but never wanted him in a Hornets uniform as the league has become so guard oriented. However, the more I study and watch his game, hear his interviews, and listen to coaches and teammates talk about him, I have changed my mind. I want to draft Wiseman badly.

Come on. This is like saying Lamelo is modern day Magic Johnson.

[stinger14]

First off, I am not saying that Wisrman will ever reach the same level, because frankly not many players ever do. Getting that out of the way, I compare Wiseman to David Robinson, and not just because both are left handed....lol

What I remember from Robinson that I see in Wiseman.

Good shooters up to 15-20 feet. Wiseman is also working to extend his shot beyond the arc. Good free throw shooters that know how to draw and finish through contact.

Speed, quickness, and explosiveness that make for a great big man slasher, rim runner, great rebounder, and great shot blocker who alternates many others as well. Combine his speed and quickness with the length comes the ability to be a switch defender.

High bbiq on both ends of the floor. Makes winning basketball plays, plays to help his team, not plays that hurt the team. Kid is very intelligent. If you watch interviews with him, he is quick and thorough with his responses.

Penny Hardaway speaks very high of him as a person, as a player, as a teammate, a hard worker, and says he is very coachable.

I have to admit, I always liked Wiseman as a player, but never wanted him in a Hornets uniform as the league has become so guard oriented. However, the more I study and watch his game, hear his interviews, and listen to coaches and teammates talk about him, I have changed my mind. I want to draft Wiseman badly.

Come on. This is like saying Lamelo is modern day Magic Johnson.

My first sentence said that I am NOT saying that Wiseman reaches Robinsons level, I am simply pointing out the resemblance in their playing style, their body build, their athletic ability, and their bbiq.

[amcoolio]

Wiseman's agility is lacking, and in every highlight from his college tape it is very north-south and he doesn't move side to side. There is something off with the way he moves, with his footwork. He is good at recovering to block shots, but I just get the feeling he will get blown by pretty much everyone.

At least with Edwards he can move and get to any point on the floor with fluidity, he can shoot, he can pass. But he's also out of shape.

Call me crazy but now I prefer Ball out of the 3 if reports are right that he has fixed his shooting form. This draft process has taken way too long.