Pistons Latest Addition Having Major Impact on Former Lottery Pick

Taj Gibson proving to be good mentor for Pistons center James Wiseman.

When the Detroit Pistons signed Taj Gibson to a 10-day contract, many scratched their head at the move. Despite this, the veteran big man has proven to be beneficial behind the scenes. 

As someone who has been in and around the league for over a decade, Gibson understand what needs to be done to be an everyday player. He's now passing his wisdom on to the next generation. With a pair of two young big men on the roster, the Pistons brought in someone who could be a mentor for them. 

One player who has made the most of Gibson being around is James Wiseman. The two are constantly seen together, and the former No. 2 pick has opened up on the veteran's presence. Gibson has pushed Wiseman on and off the court, and it's resulted in his production increasing. 

"It's a short time but he's given me a lot of confidence, always speaking to me. Always telling me to play my game, play free out there, and play with a clear mind," Wiseman said. 

Over the past few games, Wiseman has started to find a groove with the Pistons. He's broken double-digits off the bench in three of his last four matchups. Wiseman had one of his best performances with Detroit over the weekend when he notched 17 points and 12 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks. 

After things didn't work out for him with the Golden State Warriors, Wiseman was started to get written off. The Pistons decided to take a chance on the young center, and he's starting to show flashes. Having a supportive vet like Gibson around has managed to do wonders for his confidence as a player.