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How has Jonathan Kuminga impacted the Warriors?
In the beginning of the season many argued about who would be the number two to Stephen Curry. It was always a discussion on Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson. No one could have seen the meteoric rise from Jonathan Kuminga, and he is lining himself up to take the number one spot one day.
In the beginning of the season he was straddling along, not showing much improvement from his sophomore year. He averaged just 12.8 points per game over the first 36 games, which would only be a 2.9 point increase over last year despite more minutes.
Yet recently he has been on a tear; a tear that if sustained could have earned him all star nods. Over an 11 game stretch he averaged 24.3 points per game, which would put him 24th in the league. As a matter of fact, in every major stat except TOs and fouls he has increased his numbers, especially his points. A full recap of his streak can be seen in the end. Steve Kerr has charged him with a greater responsibility, and he has risen to the task and more.
On a team with two of the greatest shooters of all time, Jonathan Kuminga remains the perfect contrast with his Giannis-like ability to attack the rim. With Steph Curry and Klay Thompson attracting so much attention, it can easily lead to miscues on defense and easy paint dunks for Jonathan Kuminga. The one-two punch of Kuminga and Curry puts defenses into a tough spot as they have to guard both the three and the paint. The Warriors have not had such a dominant paint presence since Andrew Bogut.
The Warriors recent hot streak can be largely attributed to the increased role of Jonathan Kuminga. Not only does he provide volumes of paint scoring, but he rebounds and plays elite perimeter defense. In their last 13 games the Warriors have gone 10-3 despite some quiet nights from Kuminga. But he continues to output all the little lings; the rebounding, defense, screens, and playmaking. If Kuminga and the Warriors can play to their best, they have the potential to have the most electric offense in the world.
Jonathan Kuminga will continue to grow heaps and bounds over the season. Even if the Warriors falter in (or even before) the playoffs, I have no doubt in my mind that Jonathan Kuminga is the future face of this franchise unlike Jordan Poole. And in the next year or so—if he can continue to play at his elite level—he can become an all-star alongside Stephen Curry.
1/12/24 - 2/7/24
24.3 PPG
6.6 RPG
2.5 APG
0.5 BPG
1.3 SPG
59.9% FG
46.7% 3P
78.3% FT
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