Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was more than okay with Jonathan Kuminga getting ejected from their team’s penultimate preseason game.
Kuminga was tossed just before halftime of the Warriors’ preseason tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. The fifth-year veteran was livid after he felt like the referees missed a foul on his hard drive with under 10 seconds left in the first half.
Kuminga berated referee Rodney Mott and even made contact with the veteran official. Mott responded by ejecting Kuminga from the game on the spot.
Kerr was asked about the on-court flare-up during his postgame press conference. Not only did the Warriors head coach have zero qualms with the incident, but he also admitted he “kind of liked” seeing Kuminga showing that level of emotion.
“He got fouled. It was a frustration play. I have no problem with it,” Kerr said of Kuminga’s ejection, via The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
“He deserved the foul. He was getting fouled quite a bit. It was a physical game. … I loved the way he played. I love the fire, the passion. I don’t mind the ejection at all. I kind of liked it, actually.”
Kerr has never been one to extinguish any fire his players show on the court. After all, this is the head coach who has had to manage the hot-headed Draymond Green for over a decade now. The four championship rings as a coach certainly help compensate for any trouble.
Kerr, who has had a reportedly contentious relationship with Kuminga of late, also praised the young forward for his energy and rebounding. Kuminga finished with seven points, six rebounds, and four assists in 18 minutes before getting ejected from the Warriors’ 118-111 preseason win.