Stephen Curry praised Jonathan Kuminga for his growth, resilience, and professionalism despite facing a tough and inconsistent role with the Warriors. Curry acknowledged the challenges Kuminga has dealt with, from limited opportunities to trade rumors.
The Golden State Warriors are staring down a pivotal offseason, and while the spotlight always shines on superstar Stephen Curry, it’s the future of one of the team’s most promising young players, Jonathan Kuminga, that’s now getting interesting.
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga
MIN: 24.41
PTS: 15.44 (51.96%)
REB: 4.35
As: 2.09
ST: 0.76
BL: 0.44
TO: 1.52
GM: 54
With roster shake-ups looming and the need to make win-now moves around the Curry and Jimmy Butler duo, the Warriors face tough decisions.
But when Curry was asked about Kuminga’s development and place within the franchise, the face of the franchise didn’t hold back.
“I think he’s grown a lot,” Curry said in a press conference. “He’s been dealt a very tough hand, to be honest. He came in when we started 18-2 that year, and you know he had some moments in the playoffs, but didn’t really get an opportunity. And we won a championship, and then you run it back, and you know he’s handled business in terms of just getting better.”
Kuminga's NBA journey has been anything but smooth. From coming in during a championship push to finding minutes in a rotation stacked with veterans, the 21-year-old forward has had to fight for every chance.
“He’s trying to focus on, you know, what it means to become a better version of himself in the way that he plays, and the fact that he’s had playing time and hadn’t and been in the rotation and hadn’t, so that’s tough for any player, let alone a young guy who’s trying to figure it out in the league,” Curry added.
Still, Curry made it clear that Kuminga’s professionalism and resilience haven’t gone unnoticed.
“So, I just commend him on staying ready, and you see what he did the last couple of games. That’s not easy to do, not knowing if your number’s going to get called, and then you have to go out there and perform. So I’m proud of the way he’s handled it.”
“I hope the future’s bright for him, whether it’s here, whether it’s wherever, knowing that he’s a guy in this league that can continue to, you know, climb that ladder on his own pace,” Curry said. “So, he’s gone through a lot that most people haven’t in four years and seen a lot, so hopefully, he’s better because of it.”
Kuminga was one of Golden State’s top two contributors in their Western Conference semifinal clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He averaged 20.8 points on a scorching 54.3% shooting from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc
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