Disappointed to have spent the playoffs on the bench, Jonathan Kuminga is apparently at an important turning point in his career, after two years at Golden State. A departure would obviously not be totally excluded since his agents must meet the leaders of the Warriors during the offseason.
If the 2022 champion stays in California for another season or two, how will he be able to get minutes when in front of him are more confirmed players like Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II, Draymond Green (if he too continues) or even Kevon Looney?
“I think that with the returns of Wiggins and Payton, we need less of the main quality of Kuminga, that is to say the defense on the ball carrier”, Steve Kerr analysis for NBC Sports. “The way for him to get playing time is to become more versatile. Each combination of players on the court is a puzzle and the puzzle must be complete. The more things you can do, the easier it is to fit into the mold. »
The Californians coach still insists on a specific point.
“The rebound is essential for Kuminga. If he wants to be a great player, he has to go rebound. For an interior of this size, with its athletic qualities, this is the next step. In addition to continuing to work on the rest: shooting, dribbling, reading the game.
With his physique, Kuminga has the weapons to become a great rebounder
The young Congolese is aware that it is in this sector that he must win. Especially since, as Steve Kerr pointed out, he has impressive and more than enough physical attributes to become a more than solid rebounder. His 4.3 average catches in 24 minutes in the second half of the regular season remain meager.
“I have to progress everywhere, but with an emphasis on rebounding,” he confirms. ” It is the most important. I have to watch videos and learn to take more rebounds, to become why not, one day, a Looney for example. »
A rough diamond of only 20 years old, the seventh choice of the 2021 Draft is only at the beginning of his career and despite his technical shortcomings and his still low playing time for two years, the Golden State coach wishes to say that its potential remains enormous. And that he can become an important player in the Bay.
“People are going to talk a lot about the playoffs because it’s the most important time of the year, but if you look at his regular season, he did some good things,” insists Steve Kerr. “The main thing for him is to progress. I constantly tell him: he has a long career, 15 seasons, ahead of him. He played two seasons and accumulated knowledge, but he still has to continue. If he is serious and works, he will improve. »
| Jonathan Kuminga | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2021-22 | GOS | 70 | 17 | 51.3 | 33.6 | 68.4 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 9.3 |
| 2022-23 | GOS | 67 | 21 | 52.5 | 37.0 | 65.2 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 9.9 |
| Total | 137 | 19 | 51.9 | 35.3 | 67.1 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 9.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
