Dub Nation HQ

Share this post
Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman in Japan
dubnationhq.com

Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman in Japan

The champs are back with a fun exhibition win over the Washington Wizards in Asia.

Daniel Hardee
Sep 30, 2022
25
178
Share this post
Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman in Japan
dubnationhq.com

Whoa, summer’s over? I’ve been in a champagne haze ever since the Golden State Warriors stunned the world and took the NBA championship back in June. But after months of celebration, it’s time to get back to business here at the HQ as the Dubs return to action with exhibition hoops overseas!

That’s right folks, the reigning, defending, undisputed, NBA champions took their basketball wizardry to Japan to lay a 96-87 smackdown on the Washington Wizards to kick off NBA basketball for the 2022-2023 season.

It wasn’t the prettiest game, as the GSW starters minus the resting Klay Thompson shot a combined 6-of-34 from the field in limited minutes, resembling a bunch of OG’s getting some shots up at the local 24 Hour fitness after a heavy leg workout.

But I don’t give a damn! These living legends could go through the motions all the way until April for all I care because THEY’VE EARNED THAT RIGHT. That’s the reward for ruining the Boston Celtics’ franchise in the Finals last year… but I digress.

Twitter avatar for @NBA
NBA @NBA
🎹 @andre on the keys! Watch Andre Igoudala and the @warriors as they play in the #NBAJapanGames TOMORROW Sept. 30th at 6AM ET on @NBATV
9:50 PM ∙ Sep 29, 2022
2,276Likes181Retweets

The Japan exhibition is a pretty big deal for the league as they continue their plan to indoctrinate humans around the world with a feverish love for the roundball game. Just ask NBA commissioner Adam Silver and certified genius/Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob:

“We are excited to once again bring preseason games to our fans in Japan,” Silver said. “There is great momentum around NBA basketball in the country.”

“We are extremely appreciative that the NBA has selected the Warriors and the Wizards, two franchises with illustrious histories in our league, to tip off the 2022 NBA preseason in Japan, home of some of the most incredibly passionate NBA fans in the world,” said Lacob.

Twitter avatar for @ClutchPointsApp
ClutchPoints @ClutchPointsApp
Steph Curry & Rui Hachimura giving thanks the excited Japan crowd ahead of the game tonight 🇯🇵
10:23 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
334Likes44Retweets
Twitter avatar for @NBCSWarriors
Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriors
JP can't be stopped or contained
11:44 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
818Likes69Retweets

It’s pretty neat that the league chose the champs and the Wizards for this friendly opener, especially since it showcases star Washington guard Bradley Beal… and all of the Golden State talent that some internet-using Warriors fans vociferously demanded be traded for Beal last draft.

Twitter avatar for @BradyKlopferNBA
Brady Klopfer @BradyKlopferNBA
I am surprised that Warriors fans seem to be very much opposed to me on this, but .... if (enormous if) the Warriors could Beal for Wiggins, Wiseman, No. 7, and No. 14 I would say that is a very, very, very good deal for them.
Twitter avatar for @ThompsonScribe
Marcus Thompson II @ThompsonScribe
To date, Bradley Beal has maintained he's staying, but if he decides to leave Washington, sources say the Warriors would have strong interest https://t.co/2TLq8bZ61x
8:35 PM ∙ Jul 23, 2021
108Likes9Retweets

This game was a great chance to see why that may be the worst trade idea in Warriors history (which is saying something because we’ve witnessed some horrendous GM moves in Dub Nation *cough J-Rich for B Wright cough*). Why would a team strapped by the salary cap jettison their depth and athleticism for a shifty scoring guard when the franchise is already developing Jordan Poole?! PREPOSTEROUS.

Twitter avatar for @JoeVirayNBA
Joe Viray @JoeVirayNBA
Moses Moody locking down Bradley Beal 👀👀👀
10:58 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
955Likes100Retweets

WISEMAN SEASON 3 ACTIVATED

Shout out to the classy organization that the Dubs are for showing big time respect to Japanese culture. Greatest player alive Stephen Curry even took on a pro sumo wrestler to entertain the fans in the land of the rising sun!

Twitter avatar for @WarriorNationCP
Warriors Nation @WarriorNationCP
Steph Curry goes head-to-head with a pro sumo wrestler in Japan 😅
5:27 AM ∙ Sep 29, 2022
681Likes56Retweets

But during game time the Warriors truly paid homage to Japan’s rich film history, particularly the giant movie monster Godzilla. Golden State shocked the world by unleashing their own behemoth, the 7-footer James Wiseman.

Twitter avatar for @anthonyVslater
Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
James Wiseman was the story of the Warriors' preseason opener. Finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds in 23 bench minutes. Five dunks. Went 8/11 shooting. Sealed the win with a lefty hook and two FTs in final couple minutes. Moved well and was a presence at the rim.
12:29 PM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
4,045Likes451Retweets

First and foremost, it was a blessing to see this big fella out there galloping up and down the court, his nagging knee troubles hopefully shifting into the rear view mirror. Secondly, if his body holds up this third year center is gonna be a problem. This dude can can dunk on anyone! But don’t take my word for it…

Curry is infamous for his giddiness for throwing ridiculous passes; this elite point guard now has Wiseman flying to the rim to catch lobs:

Twitter avatar for @NBA
NBA @NBA
James Wiseman is gonna go get it! #NBAJapanGames
11:20 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
1,341Likes127Retweets

It’s also pretty cool to know that the Warriors vaunted transition attack now has someone who can finish with Giannis-like authority on the fast break. Just ask 7-foot-3 rim protector Kristaps Porzingis:

Twitter avatar for @ClutchPointsApp
ClutchPoints @ClutchPointsApp
James Wiseman POSTERIZES Kristaps Porzingis 😤
11:42 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
500Likes68Retweets

And then there’s just times throughout a game where there’s a glut around the rim and you just want your center to snatch the ball and dunk on the entire arena with vicious force:

Twitter avatar for @stevejones20
Steve Jones Jr. @stevejones20
Fun stuff like this, Poole calling for Wiseman to set a pindown for Kuminga. The spacing gets interesting but Wiseman ends up with a dunk.
10:33 AM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
37Likes4Retweets

To quote legendary center Bill Walton, “THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN, THROW IT DOWN!”. Of course there’s always room to get better; Wiseman didn’t shoot perfectly from the field. And anytime he throws up something soft like this his detractors will emerge from the shadows with a ruthless vengeance:

But as far as a first game back? I’m not mad at him.

Remember when the argument was Wiseman couldn’t contribute immediately so it was an arrogant gamble to develop him while the Dubs tried to maximize Curry’s prime? Rewind to when GSW owner Joe Lacob called him a “once in a decade kind of guy” in November 2020; and yet pundits from every corner of the blogosphere have consistently been pushing for Big Jim to be traded as soon as possible.

Twitter avatar for @grantcohn
Grant Cohn @grantcohn
Last night we learned the Warriors are ready contend, and James Wiseman is not ready to contribute on a contender. The Warriors should trade him ASAP for someone who helps them win now. They should not waste a minute of Stephen Curry’s prime.
4:08 PM ∙ Jan 19, 2021
62Likes1Retweet

Wellp, the Warriors’ gamble already hit big with a freakin’ championship last year, and lo and behold Wiseman is coming on strong. Can’t wait to see how the rest of those young guys continue to develop under the tutelage of the vets.

Twitter avatar for @NBA
NBA @NBA
James Wiseman SHOWED OUT in the #NBAJapanGames 🔥 20 PTS (8-11 FGM) | 9 REB
1:10 PM ∙ Sep 30, 2022
1,380Likes210Retweets

178
Share this post
Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman in Japan
dubnationhq.com
178 Comments
author
Eric Apricot
Oct 1, 2022Pinned

New spacious open thread at https://dubnationhq.com/p/open-thread-steph-and-klay-win-japan?sd=pf. Unless Duby has something new, this will end up being the game thread also.

Expand full comment
ReplyCollapse
Oaktownws
Oct 1, 2022Liked by Daniel Hardee

Love the writing as usual Daniel.

However, as somw have noted you missed an easy opening for some godzilla and mothra references! 😀

Expand full comment
ReplyCollapse
176 more comments…
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Let's Go Dubs, LLC
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing