Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga may be just 19 years old, but his sights are set on lofty career goals, as Michael Shapiro of Sports Illustrated relays.
Kuminga hopes to become “at least a three-time MVP [and] four-time Defensive Player of the Year,” wants to make the Hall of Fame, and win multiple championships.
The No. 7 overall pick of the 2021 draft, Kuminga has had an increased role recently due to injuries to Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala. Through eight games in February (26.3 MPG), Kuminga has scored in double figures in each contest, averaging 15.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and 1.9 APG on .603/.320/.690 shooting.
Kuminga will participate in the Rising Stars event Friday night. He was named as a replacement for Indiana rookie Chris Duarte, who’s dealing with a toe injury.
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Jovan Buha of The Athletic explores how the Lakers will attempt to survive without star Anthony Davis, who’s sidelined for at least a month with a mid-foot sprain. The Lakers will likely lean more heavily on LeBron James and Russell Westbrook in Davis’ absence, Buha writes, with James figuring to see more time at center. Lineups featuring James at center have a positive net rating (+2.5) and are outstanding offensively, but struggle on defense.
- Lakers legend Magic Johnson recently shared his thoughts on the current team with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated (the interview was conducted prior to Davis’ injury). Johnson says the group lacks an identity and has been inconsistent throughout the season, but he thinks that if the “Big Three” can figure out how to mesh together, the Lakers will still be dangerous in the playoffs.
- Evan Sidery of BasketballNews.com believes that Aaron Holiday ‘fits right in’ with the Suns, and could eventually supplant Landry Shamet as the fourth guard in the rotation given Shamet’s shooting struggles. “He just continues to play the kind of basketball we like to play,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said after Phoenix beat Houston 124-121 Wednesday. “Defensively, he just gets into stuff and he comes up with balls. I thought the inbounds play under the basket where he stole it and laid it up, that’s Aaron [Holiday], and I like his willingness to take shots.” Holiday was acquired from the Wizards last week for cash considerations.
Forget meshing together. 2 out of 3 of them can’t even get on the court lol
How bout them Rockets?
Yes they also suck lol
Lol the lakers aren’t dangerous in a game vs the Trail Blazers when they are all healthy and the blazers just traded everyone we’ve heard of(figuratively speaking), now AD is out for a month, man they might not even make the playoffs, and if they do we all can count on AD gettin injured, it’s just who he is, Mr. Glass
Lakers want to run it back next season
Means
1 injury players runs it back?
2. Veteran players run it back?
3. 9th seed runs it back?
4. Four of 76 greatest players runs it back?
5. Lakers have undrafted players run it back?
Relax man, you don’t have to rum nothin’ back. So Just chill dude….
Should have ran it back last season
Lakers are cheap. GSW are not. Any questions?
This argument doesn’t event make sense
Any questions? yeah, what are you smoking?
The Lakers could have take on payroll in some discussed trades but chose not too
Kuminga thinks he is not dreaming. The guy gets toasted and jumping anility can only make up for so much.
You realize he’s a teenage rookie right?? Lol
Why do you have a problem with him dreaming? If he didn’t dream, or have lofty goals, he should walk away from sports right now. It is sad that you think he should aim to be mediocre.
He will be mediocre if he thinks he’s all that already.
You (and Shapiro) think he is dreaming, but I read no evidence of that, or of learning.
Those stated goals (with the MVP talk) are not crucial to team success; they are about being celebrated.
I agree with Kuminga, he has the potential to be a top 5 player in the league for a very long time, I wish GSW played him more the guy is a beast!
JK has to improve his handle if he wants to be the next freak of this League but he’s showing clear talent and work ethic that Kerr is pushing for … Wiseman has to get into it cause Is going to see a lot of him from the bench
Kuminga and Wiseman will make a difference in the playoffs. That’s how I see it. Real talent always shows up.