This past weekend, Golden State made a strategic change to their starting lineup that seemed to pay off, by giving Jonathan Kuming the chance to start in exchange for four-time champion Draymond Green. Coach Steve Kerr then explained the he wanted to give this change “a look” and then see how it goes from there.
The Warriors ended up losing their first game of their back-to-back clashes against the Timberwolves this weekend with a 107-90 defeat, but then beat them on Sunday evening with an impressive 114-106.
After starting off the bench, Green said he was more than willing to continue this path as long as it helps his club win, as well as give Kuminga the opportunity to grow. “Of course, I’m OK with it,” the power forward said after losing to Minnesota on Friday.
Draymond Green this season:
— 1 SPG
— 1 BPG
— 6.4 RPG
— 6 APG
— 39% 3PT (Career Best)
— Players are shooting 43% when guarded by him34 years old and still making a major impact on both ends of the floor. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NhCjpFtkbD
— NBA World (@NBAW0RLD24) December 9, 2024
“I have been one of JK’s biggest fans since he’s been here. And so if he has an opportunity to start, you can’t be hypocritical, and [if] they’re like we want him to start, but it’ll be [up to] you, you can’t be like, ah, it’s not for me, that don’t work. I want to see him do well,” he said.
Dray is open to accept his role as a veteran, despite what it might entail. “So if his opportunity goes through me, then it is what it is,” he assured. “He earned the opportunity. He played extremely well [Thursday]. You want to give that another look or two or three or four or however long. If it works, then you continue with it.”
On the other hand, Kuminga has been truly taking advantage of these extra minutes on the floor, scoring a career-high 33 points last week, with 14 of them coming in the last quarter. His efforts helped Golden State beat the Rockets 99 to 93 on Thursday, despite Green and Stephen Curry being absent that night.
“I don’t necessarily look at it as like this demotion,” Draymond assured. “I’m a starter in the NBA. I know that. But if it’s something to try to help this team win, I’m always going to be for it. I hate losing. I care about this organization, and I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, think he’s next. And so if he’s next, at some point we got to see it.”
With Jonathan starting as the team’s power forward next to Kevin Looney and Andrew Wiggins, point guard Curry will receive more help with his offensive duties, but will risk losing some backcourt presence in Green.
Warriors see Kuminga as an essential part of the team’s future, and he will finally be given the chance to prove himself this season
Now than Wiggins is out due to an ankle injury and Moses Moody continues to recover from his left knee soreness, coach Steve Kerr will have to see how his rotations will change in the upcoming games. One thing for sure is that Jonathan will be get his chance to prove himself.
“The idea is we are trying to make the most of Jonathan’s ability to get downhill, get him more time,” said the Warriors tactician. “He and Wigs were fantastic [against Houston]. We are searching for ways to get those guys more involved and not wear down Draymond and Steph. That is kind of the trick and finding combinations within that.”
The seventh overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft is seen as a fundamental part of Golden State’s future, and his teammates know that he will take advantage of this opportunity. “For us to be good, you saw [what Kuminga did] in the Houston game, you’ve seen flashes,” Curry said about JK.
“We need him to be the best version of himself,” the guard added. “We have to be able to figure out whether it’s play calls, whether it’s certain rotation or lineup combinations, what can unlock his ability to get downhill, put pressure on the basket, demand attention from the defense. He’s a big weapon for us.”
