95.7 The Game host Damon Bruce didn’t hold back on his criticism of third-year Warriors center James Wiseman following his Summer League debut last week, when the 7-footer pulled down two rebounds (along with 11 points and two blocks) in about 20 minutes of action.
Draymond Green clearly didn’t agree with Bruce’s take on Monday, when he said, "Anytime you're a 7-footer who plays 20 minutes of basketball and you got 2 rebounds to show for it, that's just not good. … Chet Holmgren is already 50 times the player that James Wiseman is."
In the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show, which dropped Thursday, Draymond called out Bruce.
“Don’t get me wrong, that’s the first thing I looked at too. Like, Wise, you can’t have two rebounds,” Green said. “But for those of you who’s just gonna criticize him and don’t know. I saw the guy from the Damon & Ratto show in The Bay – dude Damon. You come out and you wanna talk about Chet Holmgren is light years ahead of James Wiseman right now or whatever you said, made that statement. Let me help you out, rebounding is a timing thing. Rebounding is not just, ‘I’m tall, I’m long, I can jump, I’m athletic.’ Rebounding is timing.
“For someone that hasn’t played basketball since 2018 – I know you probably wouldn’t understand – but you’re timing is probably messed up. That’s four years and change of not consistently playing basketball. Those that have done this will understand that that is 100 percent a timing thing. Again, I would never excuse James Wiseman for having two rebounds. Nor do I think James Wiseman would excuse it.”
Wiseman, the former No. 2 overall pick in 2019, hasn’t played a full season since he was in high school, though he did get 39 games in during his rookie year. Since tearing his meniscus in April 2021, Wiseman has played in just three G League games and two Summer League contests.
“To try to make it a thing and compare two guys that – and this kid’s been out for four years – ridiculous,” Green said. “Also, you can’t judge who’s better off a Summer League game. Let’s stop the foolishness. It’s ridiculous. Welcome back James Wiseman. Happy to have you back. Do your thing.”
During Thursday’s recording of the “Damon & Ratto” show, Bruce heard Green’s comments and offered his live reaction live on the air.
“So he agreed with me,” Bruce said. “He basically says that it’s the first thing that he noticed to and then he went on to explain, ‘Look, I understand there’s a rust factor here.’ But he even admitted it. Rebounding is timing, it’s also effort, it’s also being aggressive. And it’s not like James Wiseman’s first trip back to the court was that Summer League game. He’s been playing, he’s been working out, he’s been timing his rebounds in practice, too. It doesn’t sound like Draymond and I are fighting at all.”
Bruce also offered another closing thought on his initial Wiseman-Holmgren comparison.
“Fair enough. Anything less than defending his teammate would have disappointed me,” Bruce said. “And I really wasn’t comparing. I was sort of speaking extemporaneously. But I guarantee you if the Oklahoma City Thunder right called (Warriors general manager) Bob Myers and said Wiseman for Holmgren, Bob Myers makes that deal at the speed of light.”
This one will probably simmer down now, and I wouldn’t expect a retort from the outspoken Green. But you can hear Bruce’s hot takes all year long on 95.7 The Game.
“What I am thrilled (about is) that New Media is listening to Old Media,” Bruce said with a smile. “We don’t go away, baby.”
In Tuesday night’s contest against the Boston Celtics, Wiseman scored six points with seven rebounds. He continues to show flashes but remains a raw product. Green clearly likes the upside in the athletic and talented 7-footer.
“I think the things that James Wiseman was able to show in the two games that he’s played is absolutely remarkable,” Green said. “And just journey back, just happy to see him out there doing what he loves to do again and having the opportunity to play basketball.”
