“When I have the ball, no one can defend on me. » Jonathan Kuminga do not lack self-confidence. His performance in Denver confirms that he is in good shape at the moment. As the Nuggets were particularly focused on Stephen Curry, the Congolese had spaces. He finished with 13 points in just 23 minutes.
Why didn't he insist more? “Sometimes I have to make sure the seniors have the ball too”he responds to The Athletic. “That’s where the confusion comes in.” I sometimes leave matches without knowing what I did. And that bothers me. I wonder what they expect of me. I can pass and I can do other things. »
Another element which deprived him of a bigger performance in Denver: the choice of Steve Kerr since the interior only played three minutes and 35 seconds in the last quarter.
What he can bring above all is his aggressiveness towards the circle. With his athleticism and the spaces left by the threats posed by Curry and Klay Thompson, he presses where it hurts. Other complementary players, like Brandin Podziemski or Trayce Jackson-Davis, cannot have such sharpness offensively and physically. Only Andrew Wiggins also evolves in this register, sometimes.
The Warriors will need him
“It gives us a big boost,” Curry explains. “We talked about it a lot. He puts pressure on the opposing circle, puts open shots. In defense, he knows what he has to do, how to defend with or without the ball. He plays at a different pace, pleasant to watch. He gives us a lot. »
Can the one who averages 15.6 points over the last nine matches do better? “We're starting to find chemistry, knowing where to give him the ball, how to use his athleticism and his ability to play one-on-one when necessary. But you also have to play Warriors basketball”continues the playmaker.
It's a subtle balance to find. Because if Jonathan Kuminga must fit the mold, Golden State will also need him to make the decision alone when the shooters are clumsy – like in Denver – or the team is seized up.
“Yes, I make differences. I know who I am “, assures the young player. “But it’s not my place to do certain things. I don't control my minutes. I don't have the last word. It's not easy because I know how to score points, I know how to pass, I do lots of things on the floor. It's about doing everything together. With the players we have on the floor, it's not easy to implement that. I'm trying to find the answers to deal with this. »
| 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 | 28 | 22 | 50.4 | 31.3 | 67.3 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 1.2 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 12.5 |
| Total | 165 | 19 | 51.6 | 34.5 | 67.1 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 10.1 | |
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.
