Brandan Wright would be a sophomore from North Carolina and possibly a star. However, he had chosen to turn professional and enter the NBA. Being 6-foot-9 with skill helps, and right now Wright is about to get better playing for the Warriors as they head into the final third of the season with fewer players.
On Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors play Seattle at Oracle Arena, and Wright hopes to get a few minutes at the forward position. Wright caught the interest of coach Don Nelson in the most recent game against Atlanta; as the rookie played 26 minutes, which was the most since the season began. He had eight points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
“I think maybe now he’s ready to help us out a little bit,” Nelson said after Sunday’s practice, where he sat most of the time and watched Wright specifically. “He wasn’t ready in training camp. The coaches have been doing a wonderful job working with him. He’s probably improved as much as anybody. Let’s take a look at him, see what he can do.”
Wright has a clear flaw in his game. He speaks softly, almost subaudibly. A listener has to lean down to listen to the young man. “I come to practice and I try to work hard every day,” he said sitting on an exercise ball after practice. “Just try to prepare yourself for the opportunities in the future. The main thing is when you have the opportunity to be ready.”
Nevertheless; With Andris Biedrins out indefinitely due to an emergency appendectomy and forward Stephen Jackson with sore left foot, Golden State had to redefine its frontcourt lineup.
“The times he’s been in games this year, he’s played well as a rookie,” Jackson said. “The only way you’re going to get confidence is by playing. With Andris out, I think he’s going to have more opportunities to play. We need rebounds. I’m pretty sure he’s going to get a lot of minutes.” .”
If and when that happens, Wright appears ready. “It would be nice,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of guys (who) are injured. We need guys to step up and do their jobs. When you come (into the league), you’re never completely ready. You just adapt to your environment, use your talent to the best of your ability. “.
Wright doesn’t carry much weight for the power forward position, weighing only 205 pounds. Still, that’s eight or nine pounds heavier than he was at the start of training camp. Wright won’t be a puncher, though he does have the ability to jump hurdles to be an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker.
“I don’t want to lose my quickness, but getting stronger is always a goal,” Wright said. “You can’t really rush the process. You have to keep working hard.” “He’s been playing hard in practice, getting better every day,” Nelson said. “I certainly like what I see.” “We expect him to get better and better, he has great potential.”