James Wiseman to spend extended period in the G League, inside Jose Alvarado's improbable path to the NBA, and breaking down the early MVP front runners.

Happy Humpday!

JAMES WISEMAN

James Wiseman to Spend Extended Period in the G League

James Wiseman is a pivotal part of the Warriors' future, but he’s struggling to make an impact in their present. After missing last season due to injury, Wiseman had a solid start to the year averaging 11 points and 5.4 rebounds through five games, but his production has dipped significantly.

In the wake of these struggles, Warriors coach Steve Kerr announced that James Wiseman will spend “an extended period” of time in the G League, adding that they “want to give him maybe ten straight days” before bringing him back. Wiseman has logged three DNPs in his last five games, and it’s clear the young man needs more consistent reps if he’s ever going to develop into the player they thought they were getting with the second-overall pick.

It’s a frustrating situation for the Warriors and their fans, but time in the G-League has worked wonders for other players, notably Jordan Poole. Poole reportedly was spotted giving Wiseman a pep talk in the wake of this news, and thankfully, Wiseman seems to be taking it in stride.

Wiseman was asked if he considers the G league to be a step backward and responded by saying: "I don't look at it as a demotion or nothing. Going down there and just hoop." Hopefully, this move is the best thing for his career, we’re all rooting for him.

JOSE ALVARADO

Inside Jose Alvarado's Improbable Path to the NBA

Jose Alvarado exploded onto the scene last year as an undrafted free agent known for his tenacious defense and sensational steals, but this year he’s proving he’s so much more than that.

Alvarado began last season on a two-way contract and was scheduled to split time between the Pelicans and their G-League but was so good that he actually ended up playing in more playoff games than G-League games. In order for Alvarado to qualify for the playoffs, the Pelicans converted Alvarado’s two-way contract into a standard 4-year, $6.5M contract, which is now easily one of the best-value contracts in the league.

At only 6'1, Alvarado wasn't expected to make it to the NBA, let alone become an impact player, but then again, Alvarado has been defying the odds his entire life. Like in high school, when he became the first player in the legendary Christ the King High School to record a quadruple-double with ten steals.

Alvarado’s teammates and coaches describe him as someone who “changes the temperature of the room” and “lifts the whole team up with his smile [and] with his honesty." Alvarado is already exactly the type of player every team wants to have, and at 24 years old, he’s just getting started.

MVP CANDIDATES

Breaking Down the Early MVP Front Runners

The NBA season may have only just begun, but the MVP race is already underway. Here are a few players who are undeniable front-runners for the prestigious award.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is coming off one of the greatest statistical weekends we've ever seen in the modern NBA. In two games, he put up a combined 101 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists, nine blocks, and three steals. Embiid finished second in MVP voting in back-to-back years and just reminded voters what he’s capable of in a big way.

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum’s monster weekend may have gotten overshadowed by Embiid's historic performance, but the Celtics superstar is absolutely in his bag right now. Tatum recently hung 43 and 10 on the Pistons and 34 and 8 against the Nuggets in back-to-back performances. Last year appeared to be Tatum’s breakout, and yet somehow, he’s gone up another level. In 14 games, he’s averaging 31.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists and has the Celtics in first place in the East Conference.

Luka Doncic

Luka is the NBA's leading scorer with an impressive 34.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. Some of that is due to his insanely high usage rate, which resembles Houston James Harden, but he's doing it well. With the ball in his hands this much, the scoring title is definitely on the table for the young Slovenian, and his first MVP might just come along with it.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis is the only player in the league averaging at least 25-10-5, and he's doing so for a Bucks team that’s still missing its second-best player. Giannis entered the year as the unanimous best player in the league and rewarded that faith by leading the Bucks on a historic start 9-0 start to the season. He's still The Man until proven otherwise.

THE RUMOR MILL

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THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY

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