With the return of Jonathan Kuminga and the packages of Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins against the Jazz, Steve Kerr had choices to make. To replace those absent, he established Brandin Podziemski and Chris Paul. While the Congolese started on the bench.
And it's not just a question of pace, Jonathan Kuminga having missed six matches in a row due to knee tendinitis, but an assumed choice.
“Bringing Jonathan Kuminga off the bench means having excellent dynamics. With the return of Curry, we will have to find a solution because he has started thirty matches in a row with Draymond Green at the center position.recalls the coach. “But given what we've seen over the last two weeks, I want to keep Trayce Jackson-Davis in the five. »
It must be said that the Draymond Green – Trayce Jackson-Davis pairing works very well, the presence of the second near the circle allowing the first to be released defensively.
Another role change
In addition, the 21-year-old interior validated his coach's decision with a very good match: 21 points at 9/11 shooting and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes. “If Kuminga comes off the bench and plays like he did there, it will be great”announces Steve Kerr.
This is one more episode in the tormented season of the 2022 champion. As a reminder, he started this exercise on the bench, with little playing time. Then, unhappy, he explained things to Steve Kerr. Everything then returned to normal and for a few weeks, he not only started but he exploded. Now he is back on the bench.
How does he experience it? “I’m not worried about the idea of being a substitute”he replies. “As the coach always says: it doesn't matter, as long as we're on the floor and we give everything we have, we'll have a chance. I mainly cared about being good and having impact to win. »
| 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 | 70 | 26 | 52.9 | 31.6 | 74.0 | 1.3 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 16.3 |
| Total | 207 | 21 | 52.4 | 34.0 | 70.3 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 11.9 | |
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.
