Vegas Summer League: Wiseman, Kuminga, Gui Santos, Jama Mahlalela quote dump
[late post, video, notes/quotes]
Can’t really talk and explain the recent delays posting to this site, as I’m about to go live for the commentary and chat as NBA Summer League in Las Vegas continues with the Golden State Warriors vs the OKC Thunder. Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman just reported that Chet Holmgren would be held out of this one so the anticipated matchup of seven-footers against James Wiseman will not occur until probably the regular season, if all goes well.
Below the list of recent video interviews are notes and quotes from Wiseman, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Gui Santos, and, of course, head coach Jama Mahlalela. There’s also random tidbits from Shaun Livingston and Mike Dunleavy, Jr., from during the broadcasts. They are all in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and if not otherwise noted, transcribed by me. There’s also some California Classic stuff I didn’t get a chance to post. I’ll figure out when to do that, if at all, later after Vegas ends.
FROM 7/14
• James Wiseman and Jonathan Kuminga will play for the Warriors summer league team vs the Thunder tomorrow. If OKC plays Chet Holmgren, it’ll be a spotlight test for Wiseman. Moses Moody status TBD [UPDATE 7/15: Moody will not play]. Fell hard late in last game. (Anthony Slater)
FROM 7/12 POSTGAME
• Jama said Ron Adams recognizes all the small things, noticed Jama making good passes as an assistant coach for Raptors.
• Jama on Moody: “Moses when he shoots the ball is like a super-elite three-point shooter.”
• Jama on Quinones: learning the game, continue to build his catch-and-shoot ability.
• Jama: “So seldom does a team win a championship…lottery guys that could potentially be the future…constant balance on how do we win games…and develop…Wiseman is the X-factor (size and movement).”
• Jama on where Wiseman is: “So happy…he’s trying to block everything…learn how to be patient, calm down, slow down…probably hasn’t figured out his routine…Coach Decky…how to play in whatever minutes we give him.”
• Jama on Wiseman’s rebounding: “Rebounding is much more of a timing thing…when to jump and when to hit first…experience and timing.”
• Jama on Wiseman’s minutes and potential: “Not gonna bump him up much higher (than 20-21 minutes per game)…Wiggins…we as a coaching staff forgot what pick he was…7’1 and he can run, jump and shoot.”
• Gui Santos: “On the Warriors they have some really good scorers…I can be a facilitator.”
• Santos on what the coaches tell him: “They want me to be a facilitator.”
• Santos on playing with Wiseman, Moody and Kuminga: “They are my age but they have good experience in the NBA game…this is an organization that looks to the future…they believe in you.”
• Kuminga on chemistry: “I know it’s gonna come at one point…Steph and Klay and Dray, it didn’t take one game.”
• JK on Wiseman: “Just him being around basketball now…his confidence is coming back, it’s gonna take a moment…be patient.”
• Kuminga on Moody, Wiseman, young guys: “Create something special…from the beginning…I’m really excited about the journey.”
• In-game with Shaun Livingston, Director of Player Affairs and Engagement: “They gravitate towards each other…practices, buses.”
• Livingston on Kuminga: “It’s just reps (for all the young guys).”
• Livingston down-playing parade per usual, praises fans.
• Dunleavy on goals for Summer League: “Evaluating guys on what we’ve asked them to improve. It’s all about the evaluation process.”
• Dunleavy on Wiseman: “You can see the talent, the size, the length, the speed…For him it’s just about reps.”
• Dunleavy on Kuminga: “Can you be a guy that can guard smaller players, point guard?…the shooting…foul line as well as the three-point…for all these young guys it’s just about the game slowing down.”
• J.J. Redick says he used to stay over at Dunleavy’s place when he went to play pickup at Duke in high school. They’ve known each other for twenty years.
• Dunleavy on moments that stood out the most: “Certainly Steph’s performance in Game 4…being down 2-1…calm sense of this ‘we got this’…there was never a sense of wavering…that was pretty impressive.”
• Dunleavy on Gui Santos: “We think he’s gonna be a pretty good shooter but most of all he’s got pretty good instincts.”
• Dunleavy on what they’re looking for: “We’re always looking for guys who can play multiple positions…ball-handling.”
• Wiseman in-game: “Steph texted me and told me good game.”
FROM 7/11 PRACTICE
• Jama said there’s “a pretty good likelihood” Moody, Wiseman and Kuminga will play together for the first time tomorrow. Moody is the one question mark, and they’ll wait to see how he comes out of practice and the rest of the day to determine his status. (Connor Letourneau, Kendra Andrews)
• Warriors summer league coach Jama Mahlalela says James Wiseman had a very light practice day. He mostly watched their sets and drills, trying to stay off his feet as much as possible. But he still feels good coming off yesterday’s game. (Kendra Andrews)
• Jama on Wiseman, Kuminga & Moody in summer league: “it’s almost a Steph, Klay, Draymond new version…a lot about reps…nuances of each other’s games…Steph knows where Klay is without even looking…next 2-3 years”; on Wiseman demeanor: “whenever you go through struggles you have to navigate them…give everyone a good morning with a big booming voice”; McClung “care factor.” (me)
FROM 7/10 POSTGAME (WISEMAN’S DEBUT)
• Jama Mahlalela says Wiseman got an ovation in the locker room after the game. “They know what he went through.” (Shayna Rubin)
• Initial plan from the Warriors is to play James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody in Tuesday’s summer league game. Jama Mahlalela: “The more they play the better.” (Anthony Slater)
• Jama on Kuminga: “We talked about letting the game come to him…less aggressive early (more ball movement).” (me)
• Jama said Wiseman tapped him on the shoulder after the game: “I should’ve got more rebounds for you, Coach.” (me)
• Jama hopeful Moody will play Tuesday: “You guys know me, the more they play, the better. That’s how you develop them.” (me)
• Jama on McClung: “serious talent.” (me)
• Jonathan Kuminga postgame with NBA Radio: “We might as well get two rings in the less than a month,” hearing that Summer League champions now get rings. (me)
• JK on having Wiseman on the floor: “We might run a lot like that with Steph…gonna open up the floor more…he’s 7’2, 7’3?…who has basketball IQ.” (me)
• Kuminga says Friday night was one of the worst games of his life and playing with James Wiseman makes everyone’s life “a lot easier.” (Dalton Johnson)
• JK on being rusty: “I didn’t get time to rest…I was going two-a-day.” (me)
• JK on McClung: “I really believe in Mac.” Kuminga’s brother played with McClung at Texas Tech. (me)
• JK on his FTs: “I’m not gonna talk about my free throws today. I don’t really know what happened…just a work-in-progress.” (me)
• Wiseman on what was “pretty off” for him: “on the screens and patterns and stuff. I’m gonna get better, though.” (me)
• Wiseman felt confident he could play more: “My conditioning is getting better. It’s up there.” (me)
• Wiseman on his road back: “Really, I’m a soldier. I just push through it.” (me)
FROM 7/8 PREGAME WARMUPS
• “I cannot wait to go out there and just play the game of basketball again…I’ve been through a lot of tough times but I cannot wait to just go out there and play.” (Madeline Kenney)
• “It’s hard not playing in a year and a half, almost two years, like that’s difficult especially being an athlete, but you’ve just got to push through it, I’m just trying to figure it out.” (Madeline Kenney)
• It’s a “blessing” he said to finally have a date set to play in a game in front of fans: “I’ve been through a lot so to go out there and just play competitively again and have fun, I cannot wait for that.” (Madeline Kenney)
FROM 7/7 PRACTICE
• James Wiseman looked pretty good in the brief stint I got to watch today. Even saw a weak side block that showed good awareness. But what stood out most? His touch around the basket. His little flip shots in the paint were feathery soft. He was gassed though. That’s the remaining hurdle — getting his wind. Together. Friday is a rest day for him, so no game. Kuminga looked like he is clearly on another level. As he should. Again, only saw a little scrimmage. But I don’t imagine he will play much summer league. (Marcus Thompson)
👍👍💛💙