Jonathan Kuminga is proving that he’s someone Golden State can rely on and veteran Draymond Green thinks that because of this, Kuminga is up for a big challenge.
The team’s veterans haven’t exactly provided the greatest foundation for the rising young stars this season, as the team sits in 12th place in the West with a 20-24 record on the season.
Green believes 21-year-old Kuminga is the player who can help the vets out of a jam and be relied upon the steady the ship.
“We had older guys ride our legs for years, you know,” Green told reporters after the Warriors’ 119-107 win over the 76ers on Tuesday. “Because [when] we were younger, [we] were able to handle that. So now it’s [Kuminga’s] turn. He’s going to carry us some [ways] now.
“David Lee set me up for success. Then, I was able to carry him some like he carried me early in my career. That’s the maturation process. That’s what you hope to see. [Kuminga’s] handling it with grace and very well.”
In his maiden NBA season, Kuminga won a chip with the Dubs and has been growing, learning and improving since that moment.
“That’s why you draft a young guy like that with the seventh pick,” Green said “Because the roles will reverse, and you’re starting to see that. [Kuminga’s] starting to carry us more than we’re carrying him. And that’s what you hope to see.”
Kuminga is certainly carrying much of the load and has been Steph Curry’s best sidekick of late.
In the swingman’s last six games, he averaged 25.1 points per game on 60.4-percent shooting, to go with seven rebounds.
The youth in the Golden State team like Kuminga and rookie Brandin Podziemski have been providing a much-needed spark and their maturation is being rewarded with more time on the court.
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