Steve Kerr on James Wiseman's return timetable: "We said we would make a statement in September, have an update in September. At this point it's just indefinite and we'll see how he responds."
Full update from Kerr on Wiseman here pic.twitter.com/YP6eWrVg7a
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 16, 2021
The Warriors are without James Wiseman for the remainder of the year. Wiseman underwent season-ending surgery to repair a right meniscal tear on Thursday, ending his rookie campaign prematurely.
Wiseman’s rookie season featured glimpses and games where he looked every bit like the No. 2 overall pick and a guy who will develop into an elite center in the not-so-distant future. But it also showed that he was a just-turned 20-year-old who had no college experience and didn’t get any time to prepare for the NBA season, with training camp canceled.
Injuries also complicated his development, culminating with the meniscus tear.
Head coach Steve Kerr provided an update on Wiseman’s surgery after Thursday’s 119-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, saying that the team wasn’t sure how severe the tear was. According to Kerr, surgeon Neal ElAttrache was only able to determine the severity once surgery began. Kerr said there are no long-term concerns.
“Obviously, very disappointed that it wasn’t the more simple repair that would have kept him out a few weeks or so,” Kerr said. “So this is really tough for James and I talked to him today and he’s in good spirits. He’s always got a bright and sunny approach and attitude. But it’s a tough blow to lose the last month of the season and then the summer as well. So we’re going to do everything we can to help him in his rehab and the thing is he’s got, you know, it was a very positive repair. The surgeon felt great about it. Our training staff feels great about it and long term we think he’s going to be fine, but it’s it’s obviously a tough love for James, Steve going into the surgery today.”
Kerr pointed out the hindrances above in reviewing Wiseman’s season, stating that he had myriad roadblocks in his way, but was able to put together a productive season. The plan for the offseason will involve heaps of film study, but the team won’t put out an official update until September.
“We’ve got to do our best to get him on the floor and watch film,” Kerr said. “We can’t put him through drills obviously but you know once he’s mobile and can move around, we can still get him on the floor and continue to show him what’s in front of him defensively and walk through coverages and that sort of thing so we’ll try to be as creative as possible this summer.”
Here was Stephen Curry’s advice to the rookie:
Steph Curry on James Wiseman: "I hit him earlier today to let him know he has to think bigger picture. He's 20 years old. He's got a lot of basketball ahead of him. He has an opportunity now to flip a terrible situation on its head and work on his body, work on his mind." pic.twitter.com/xymB8dp3mZ
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 16, 2021