Damion Lee is preaching patience with Warriors teammate James Wiseman, recalling that once upon a time Giannis Antetokounmpo was a struggling rookie before blossoming into a star for the Milwaukee Bucks.
James Wiseman stepped on an NBA court with only a handful of college games to his name, and mostly high school experience in his past. The rookie immediately showed his sky-high potential in the season opener against the Brooklyn Nets, scoring 19 points along with six rebounds in a blowout Warriors loss.
But it was his second game in the league where he really had his welcome to the NBA moment.
"Man, it was the second game against the Bucks," Wiseman recently said to Warriors broadcaster Bob Fitzgerald. "I was comin' down the court on defense and then Giannis [Antetokounmpo] just started comin' full speed at me. I didn't know what to do. I fouled him, but he told me to stay on the court. He said, 'Make sure you stay on the floor big fella.'
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"Really, Giannis comin' full speed at me and scoring, that was like one of the most craziest things ever."
Wiseman also had very impressive moments against the two-time NBA MVP, too.
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At 19 years old and playing on Christmas in his second game as a pro, Wiseman scored 18 points and had eight rebounds. He was the Warriors' second-leading scorer behind Steph Curry's 19, and he also blocked three shots.
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Wiseman's season ended early due to injury, and it was full of ups and downs for the young center. However, just as Giannis did, the Warriors have voiced their opinion they believe he can turn into a future star.