Wiseman and Kerr: Its a work in progress – San Francisco Chronicle

James Wiseman is finding life as an NBA rookie to be an adventure, and that goes for Warriors head coach Steve Kerr as well as he tries to guide the no-longer-a-teenager through the season.

Wiseman, who turned 20 on Wednesday, felt he played really well during Sundays 117-111 loss in Atlanta, shooting 4-for-9 with five rebounds in 18 minutes, but he was given just one stint of playing time in each half. I was very surprised, he said during Mondays media session. I just knew that was coachs game plan, trying to figure something out. But I was kinda confused, I cant lie.

Kerr wasnt specific about his critique on Wiseman or whats in store with the Bucks up next Tuesday night at Chase Center, but said, Everything weve talked about this year is trying to make the playoffs and develop our young guys. Were right in the thick of things, so its important not to assume that minutes equal development. It also includes observation from the sidelines, earning minutes.

If there are mistakes made in the previous game, lets work on those. If we dont correct them, its less playing time. It cant just be where we throw him out there and let him go for 30 minutes every night, because frankly, hes not ready for that.

Wiseman understands that. Ive just got to do what got me here: rebound, block shots and run the floor, he said. Dont try to do something thats something out of my game, because I think Im improving. Im getting to the basket faster, trying to be more aggressive with my rebounding. I think Im playing way better defense than previous games, and Im being way more vocal on the defensive end.

I think Im a great defender,but I need to be better on my timing and footwork in the rotations. Mind you, I only played three games in college. Im still behind the 8-ball. But Im getting exponentially better each day.

Kerr said its normal for a player to have growing pains entering the NBA so early. It was the same thing for a lot of highly touted prospects who didnt have college experience, even guys like Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. I dont know that after Kobes couple of airballs in the playoffs against Utah in his rookie year, we could have said hes gonna be a top-five player of all time. We just have to be patient with James. We just cant force the issue.

Briefly: Wiseman said he gets advice from a number of NBA players, including Brooklyns Kyie Irving, and that he and Kevin Durant are especially close. I talk to KD every day via text, Wiseman said. Ive been knowing him since high school, when he watched film and told me what to work on, how to get into the league, stuff like that. Hes been telling me about how he was able to fit into the system here. ... Kerr said Stephen Curry felt great when he arrived at practice, and that everything is trending toward him playing Tuesday night.

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist.

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Wiseman and Kerr: Its a work in progress - San Francisco Chronicle