Off a summer in which Jonathan Kuminga was the biggest talking point surrounding the Golden State Warriors, the ambitious forward is once again making waves on the team. While Kuminga has continued his run as a headline-generating player for Golden State, most recently, it’s been for his strong play to begin the season.
Starting in all four games to start the year, Kuminga is averaging 18 points, eight rebounds, and four assists on 58.1% shooting. Though Al Horford was the big-name addition for the Warriors over the summer, Kuminga has taken his expected starting role in stride, so far putting up the best numbers of his career.
Speaking after Golden State’s most recent win over the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach Steve Kerr, who had run-ins with Kuminga in the past, said he couldn’t be happier with how the young star is playing.
“JK has been fantastic,” Kerr said postgame. “It just feels like he’s found his spot with this group, playing with Jimmy and Dre on the front line. The way he’s rebounding, the way he’s attacking the rim, that’s what makes him special.”
Kuminga finished with 25 points, ten rebounds, and four assists on 64.3% shooting in the team’s latest Memphis outing. While even to start the season there were questions on his fit with the team, the forward has so far fit well with the Warriors’ veteran cast.
Steve Kerr’s Recent Kuminga Thoughts
Even before his recent performance burst, Kuminga had shown signs of becoming a lead scorer for the Warriors in the past. He was coming off a strong showing for the team after Stephen Curry went down in the playoffs, and believed himself that he could become a number one option.
But with the addition of Horford and others, as well as the rise of Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski, Kuminga’s role heading into the season was unknown. Many expected him to lead the second unit, but Kerr said after seeing his improvement over the summer, starting him was the only option.
“His passing has improved dramatically. He has made so many good passes, not only in games but also in practices,” Kerr said about Kuminga on Friday. “I think he’s seeing the floor better. I just like the approach, I like the vibe that he’s bringing. He’s confident. He definitely feels like part of the team and what we’re trying to do.”
Shrugging off the summer drama, Kerr believes the team has done a good job bringing Kuminga back in the fold. So far, that’s worked, and he is first on the team in rebounding, third in scoring, fourth in assists, and third in minutes.
“After all the contract stuff, I just think his teammates have been so good, Jimmy [Butler], Steph [Curry], [Draymond Green] all welcoming him back with open arms and reminding him that contract stuff is contract stuff,” Kerr added. “JK has had a really good start to the season. I’m proud of him, the way he’s playing and I’m excited for what’s ahead for him and for us.”
On a team led by aging veterans, Kerr said he was also pleased with the energy Kuminga has brought to the court.
Kuminga And Young Stars Understand Their Role
Though Kuminga has led headlines recently, it has been the other younger players for Golden State who have stepped up as well. While the most recently named player has been leading that youth charge, Moody, Podziemski, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Will Richard have all taken on more responsibility this year.
In their latest game, Moody finished with 20 points, Podziemski with 23, and a solid effort from the other second unit players. Speaking after the game, Kerr explained how the Warriors’ gamble of combining veteran and young players is working in their favor.
“It’s my favorite thing when we can get 10, 12 guys contributing to a win. Every night’s different but when everybody feels really engaged and important there’s a spirit that’s captured within the team,” Kerr said after the team’s role players had a strong outing. “I think this group has a real chance to do that. We’ve got such good guys and we’ve got so much depth, so many people who can play. So this was a great example of that tonight.”
Kuminga himself is now focusing on whatever he can do to help the team win, specifically as it relates to rebounding.
“Those rebounds, some of those, they help win games,” Kuminga said after leading the team in rebounds on Monday night. “So just having a mindset from the beginning. It’s something that I’m trying to have going throughout the year and just throughout my career. Just working on finding the ball, and just rebounding. I think I just enjoy doing it.”
A happy and well-performing Kuminga, including the rest of the young guys, is crucial for the Warriors’ success, and so far, that has been the case in their 3-1 start to the season.
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