12-29-2022, 08:04 AM
Something is happening (in a good way) for this Warriors team now. I had to do a double take when I saw Wiseman, Moody, and Kuminga all on the floor together at the same time against Memphis. They actually held their own.
Wiseman is definitely not polished, but it is clear he is starting to be playable in spurts. Before going to Santa Cruz, he was unplayable. Obviously you want more, faster from the #2 pick three years ago, but I'd rather be James Wiseman than Trey Lance right now, who's career paths are eerily similar.
Kuminga is a player for sure. The thing I like most about him is he is totally fine playing team basketball and being a cog in the machine. He knows he's not expected to be a primary scorer, and he loves playing defense. He passes well, runs the floor well, can get his own shot a little bit, and he's starting to gain confidence that he is an NBA rotation player now.
Moody is solid and does what is asked of him, without the ability to make plays based on sheer athletic talent like Kuminga. He'll likely never be a starter, but a solid rotation player the coaches trust. Maybe a better version of Damion Lee?
The win against Utah, without Curry, Thompson, and Wiggins showed a lot, especially the fact they held Utah to 13 4th quarter points. Can they get the confidence to perform on the road this year? That's what the season is all about now. The Curry injury might turn out to be good for the team, much like it was good for them to play without Thompson and Green last year, because the younger guys are not able to be carried by the vets and are being forced to figure things out. Might be seeing Steve Kerr's greatest coaching job ever this year if the team starts moving up the standings.
Wiseman is definitely not polished, but it is clear he is starting to be playable in spurts. Before going to Santa Cruz, he was unplayable. Obviously you want more, faster from the #2 pick three years ago, but I'd rather be James Wiseman than Trey Lance right now, who's career paths are eerily similar.
Kuminga is a player for sure. The thing I like most about him is he is totally fine playing team basketball and being a cog in the machine. He knows he's not expected to be a primary scorer, and he loves playing defense. He passes well, runs the floor well, can get his own shot a little bit, and he's starting to gain confidence that he is an NBA rotation player now.
Moody is solid and does what is asked of him, without the ability to make plays based on sheer athletic talent like Kuminga. He'll likely never be a starter, but a solid rotation player the coaches trust. Maybe a better version of Damion Lee?
The win against Utah, without Curry, Thompson, and Wiggins showed a lot, especially the fact they held Utah to 13 4th quarter points. Can they get the confidence to perform on the road this year? That's what the season is all about now. The Curry injury might turn out to be good for the team, much like it was good for them to play without Thompson and Green last year, because the younger guys are not able to be carried by the vets and are being forced to figure things out. Might be seeing Steve Kerr's greatest coaching job ever this year if the team starts moving up the standings.