Draymond Green is expected to return from his suspension this week, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr will have to keep finding minutes for Jonathan Kuminga, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Kuminga is coming off the best back-to-back scoring performances of his career, delivering 28 points on Saturday in Milwaukee after putting up 24 points on Friday at Chicago. Despite seeing his role change frequently throughout the first half of the season, Kuminga has reached double figures in scoring in 19 straight games.
“I wouldn’t say (that statistic) impressed me,” Kuminga said. “I had all summer to go out there and work out, get better, come back and help the team. Obviously, things haven’t gone the right way (in wins and losses). But you can see a lot of progress. … In the past, I’d just put my head down. But now … if I attack and I don’t have nothing (there), I can’t score, kick the ball to someone who’s open.”
Green is expected back by Monday at Memphis or Wednesday at Utah, which will complicate rotation decisions for Kerr, who is already trying to balance Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Dario Saric and Andrew Wiggins. Kuminga seems like the only potential star in that group, and Slater notes that he has become Golden State’s best interior scorer, posting 284 points in the paint for a team that doesn’t have anyone else above 200.
“We’re showing him clips every day trying to get him to get to the rim,” Kerr said. “Especially without the ball. He wants to attack. Which is great. But we’re trying to get him to understand if he gets to the dunker spot, finishes his cuts rather than staying at the foul line, it improves our spacing and he’ll pick off two or three buckets per game getting to the dunker, going to the offensive glass and running to that spot in transition or after a screen. His tendency now is to linger on the perimeter. I want him at the rim. He’s one of the best in the league finishing when he gets the ball in the paint.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Milwaukee native Brandin Podziemski put up 23 points and 10 rebounds in his first career game in his hometown, Slater adds. He was the only Warriors player with a cheering section at Fiserv Forum. “Ran into my seventh-grade English teacher pregame,” Podziemski said. “She said she’s glad I went to military school or else I’d be a troublemaker. … I was actually here the day this building opened. I was a sophomore in high school. I got to meet Giannis (Antetokounmpo).”
- Stephen Curry sat out Saturday on the second game of a back-to-back, tweets Kendra Andrews of ESPN. “He’s just wiped out right now,” Kerr said. “He’s basically been healthy all year and we’ve been relying on him heavily. He’s worn out. He needs the night off.”
- Green has acted as an unofficial assistant coach since rejoining the team this week, but the Warriors need him back on the court, observes Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News. Since Green began serving his suspension, Golden State’s defensive rating has been 123.8, which is the second-worst mark in the league during that time, ahead of only Detroit’s 125.1 rating.
Trade Chris Paul and Santos. You don’t need them. Vucevic and Carter. Continuity is important. Wiggins and Thompson can turn it around. Play Kuminga and Moody more, podz less. Trade Chris Paul it’s your only chance to save this season. Vucevic is the best choice.
Why do you keep saying Santos is not needed??? Do you even know why he’s on the roster??? Think luxury tax and you will understand.
They like Santos because of the way he has developed. He is a strong candidate to be in the rotation next season.
Yes I just counted the roster count and it’s 14 so they could take on Vucevic and Carter( both needed to make the same salary) GS has too many PFs and could get rid of Santos. I just think you don’t like Santos. Do you consider they should just waive him? Green, Saric, Kuminga, Jackson-Davis all play PF so they should just get rid of him but sure keep him if they let Saric go next season. I won’t say his name anymore if that makes you happy
Why on Earth would the Bulls want to make that trade? It does nothing but make them worse.
It gives them a actual PG in Chris Paul. He is a expiring and you can choose who you want next season between Paul and Ball. Drummond can start at C. I think you are wrong buddy. Lavine is 29, DeRozan 34, Drummond 30, Paul is older. So Coby White with them is better than Paul lol. White can go back to the 6th man. Start Craig instead of Williams. You are wrong wrong wrong
Play podz less
Kuminga and Moody more and Podz less yes. Finally someone else other than me says it
Podz is amazing. He is a super rookie and Warriors are fortunate to have drafted him and have his rookie contract. Kuminga and Moody have paid their dues and they all should be playing more.
So Draymond’s reinstatement from suspension was all about him getting paid and not back to playing. He’s already missed another 4 games since reimstatement. I thought his job as a professionall player was to STAY in shape to play. Well, at least he will be well rested and healthy bcause his ankles and knees are old and worn out.
Its called getting back into playing shape. Every player that misses a significant amount time needs practices to get back up to game speed. This is nothing new. Every player goes through it.
I guess it’s all part of Draymond as a person getting better, and not prioritize gettng back on the court. He seems to be acclimating well on the sidelines.
It was literally reported he would be out another week. Its not even your money why exactly do you care? Whining about other people getting paid might be the most ridiculous thing I could come up with to complain about.
Draymond is a douche but I don’t care if he takes a billionaires money at all.
NBA needs to investigate resting Curry for non-injury reasons. If I was Sean Marks I would be apoplectic right now and calling for fines.
Celtics did it the other day quiting the Bucks game, LeBron did it the other day too and does it alot. Brooklyn was obvious so let’s set a example out of them. So I’m sure they will not do anything to Curry
So investigate them too. Not sure why Nets are the scapegoat.
Because it’s the Nets, not a super team, no superstars, not a fan favorite, easy to attack. Easy to make a example with, no whining from anyone, nobody would notice, silver is spineless, I do think every single player in the NBA should try to be more like, strive to be like M Bridges (Not Miles Bridges) Fire Silver before it’s to late. Easy to point the finger at them. Meanwhile LeBron is resting again
In Curry’s case he should be fine. The NBA will allow pre-approved designated back-to-back allowances for players who are 35 years old or older.
Hes over 34 so he is allowed an exception, also I think those only apply for national broadcasts.
With Kuminga blossoming, CP3 has probably done his job. JK can replace Wiggins. GPII and Draymond will give them the defense that they have been lacking. They can use CP3 and Wiggins to pry a 1st or two out of Utah. They have more than what they know to do with. Utah can get to the next level with the expiring contract. Warriors can continue to rebuild.
Wiggins is so inconsistent. Against Bulls he played a great game but against Bucks he looked terrible. JK has been more consistent so its his job now.
What a joy it is to see Kuminga develop, understand, and mastering the pace of the game, mixing his speeds, and playing with confidence. He needs to feel supported, and not be afraid to make mistakes.
I thought about CP3, hate to see him go, to Utah for Olnyk and 2 1sts. They have 14 over like the next 5 seasons. They can’t use them unless they trade them forward. Then Wiggins and Olynyk, who has an expiring contract, to a 3rd team for defensive help, and whatever makes it work. Wiggins doesn’t work with JK. Utah can go big in free agency. The Dubs might even consider moving Saric in the trade. Moody?
Why would Utah want to give up two firsts and a rotation player for Paul? I mean he’s an all time great and a future Hall of Famer and sure he’s got an semi expiring contract but two firsts?
it would never happen since CP3 makes $30 million. Utah would need to throw in Horton who doesn’t have much of a value and still would need another $5 million to get there. Would need a 3rd team to make the trade.
Draft choices have value. I obviously didn’t close off the trade.
Olynyk has an expiring contract. Utah is not likely to contend this year. Utah is good enough to not be adding 13 rookies over the next 4 years. As the Dubs showed last season, relying on to many young guys is a disaster. Using a few of those 1sts on expiring contracts to acquire better players in free agency might not be such a bad idea.
Kuminga still isnt defending at the level that Wiggins was during the title, and I mean hes mid prime 29 so WTF, but yeah if Kuminga can improve some more defensively with reps…
Sixers could use Saric off the bench
No one is taking CP3 now. He’ll be 39 in May. He could help a playoff team this yr. But why would you pay him 30 mill next yr. Only way he gets moved is with a 1st rd pick attached.
Warriors should have been in on Bagley. Green could have helped him be useful. Definitely worth it for Warriors.
I was wrong about the year his contract expires.