Warriors unleash giant monster James Wiseman in Japan
The champs are back with a fun exhibition win over the Washington Wizards in Asia.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
Love the writing as usual Daniel.
However, as somw have noted you missed an easy opening for some godzilla and mothra references! 😀