Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Reveals Relegating 7″1′ Superstar to G League; Player Reacts
On Monday, with Poole back in the starting lineup for the evening, the Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs 132-95. Poole had a season-high 36 points. In 27 minutes, Stephen Curry contributed 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. For the Warriors, who dropped the first game of a back-to-back 122-115 at Sacramento on Sunday to drop to 0-7 on the road, Andrew Wiggins scored 10 points.
Coach Steve Kerr announced that James Wiseman has been dispatched to Santa Cruz to train with the Warriors’ G League club following Golden State’s 132-95 victory against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
The big guy, who is 21 years old, does not, however, see his future stay in the G League as a step-down.
James Wiseman’s reaction to being demoted to G-league by Golden State Warriors
Here’s what Steve Kerr had to say: “Yeah, he going to go to Santa Cruz tomorrow and we will keep him there for an extended period to get really good practice time and some games,” Kerr told reporters after the game. “It’s not going to be one game and bring him back, we want to give him 10 straight days, something like that, and then come back.”
Steve Kerr says James Wiseman will go to Santa Cruz tomorrow for an "extended period." pic.twitter.com/PFXgnczMVg
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 15, 2022
“I don’t look at this as a demotion….I’m just ready to go out there and hoop,” Wiseman said.
In response to the announcement, James Wiseman informed reporters that his time spent in the G League was not a step-down. He maintained his optimistic attitude and expressed his happiness at getting to play more basketball. This season, Wiseman started off in the rotation, but he was a liability in every lineup.
Jordan Poole on James Wiseman going to the G-League (which Poole once did): “I told him it’s not a demotion. It’s not a punishment. He’s going to go down there and shoot as many shots as he wants, get as many touches as he wants, work on as many moves as he wants.” pic.twitter.com/ISivLSigjn
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 15, 2022
If they can’t carry out strategies and defend the paint without fouling, young big guys find it challenging to conceal defensively. Wiseman was the focus of opponents. In the 147 minutes he played this season, the Warriors have a 124.1 defensive rating. A contender could no longer afford to keep him in the lineup.
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