19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists on average. These are Jonathan Kuminga's stats for 20 matches! The young winger has reached a milestone since his managers refused to trade him during the trade deadline, and “JK” explains that something clicked in his head. He owes it to Draymond Green, his number 1 supporter.
“As you can see every day, Draymond motivates me every day. We see it during matches because it's there, it's televised » he explains on the podcast microphone “ Dubs Talk“. “I can walk next to Draymond and he’ll be like, ‘You’re indefensible! “. Sometimes I laugh because it's just not funny, but I'm like, 'OK, I get it.' I appreciate it because obviously everyone wants someone like that.”
Two years ago, Green explained that he considered Kuminga like… a son, and we are not surprised to learn that he motivates him as if he were his kid. Here is what he confided in 2022, in the heart of the playoffs: “ He's going to be very good. He can become a regular All-Star in this league. It depends on him and the work he puts in. But he has the qualities, the tools, he sees the game well… If he works, he has the possibility of being a regular All-Star. »
Two years later, Kuminga did not become an All-Star but he finally established himself in Steve Kerr's rotation. He even became a regular, alongside his “spiritual father”. For him, only one watchword: aggressiveness!
Ready to do the dirty work too
“I have to be able to attack the circle, to play near the circle… It’s a state of mind,” he continues. “I don't care how many times I get knocked down, because if I keep putting pressure, pressure and more pressure, the defenders are going to get tired. This will open a lot of gaps. By having this type of mindset and seeing the shooters on our team, we realize that there is always someone who can do different things. »
And he warns that he can also, like Green, do the dirty work. “ If I have to do the dirty work and do something other than shooting, and I feel like that's what's going to help me play and help us win, I'll do it! »
| Jonathan Kuminga | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 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 |
| 2023-24 | GOS | 64 | 26 | 52.9 | 31.7 | 74.5 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 16.1 |
| Total | 201 | 21 | 52.4 | 34.1 | 70.5 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 11.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
