The Rise of Jonathan Kuminga
The second quarter had just started versus the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 28.
The Warriors were not producing on both sides of the ball, and they needed someone to step up in the absence of Draymond Green.
Head Coach Steve Kerr went to the rookie Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga made his presence felt early and got fouled by Bones Hyland.
But with Kuminga already missing his two previous free throws, Chase Center was anxious and cheered on the 19-year-old, similarly to how Oracle Arena would cheer on Andris Biedriņš back in the day.
Kuminga missed those two free throws and went 3-for-10 from the line.
"Steph said something, 'I don't focus on the result, I focus on the process," Kerr said. "It's the same for the team. With JK, we're trying to get him focused on the process."
With the Warriors looking to develop their young core simultaneously and be on the hunt for a championship, Kuminga would rise to the occasion and produce with Draymond Green sidelined for the foreseeable future with back issues.
In February, Kuminga averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds on 45.6% shooting, and 35.5% from 3-point range.
Though his career-high came in the Dec. 18 matchup versus the Raptors, his most impressive game came from the 138-96 Bulls rout on Jan. 14.
When it comes to drafting in the NBA, the Warriors have a track record of going for players based on needs rather than hype. In terms of Kuminga, one of the main reasons the Warriors drafted him was the lack of wings in the free-agent market.
Currently, wings like Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are on contract extensions. So, developing Kuminga is a critical aspect of how the Warriors adapt as their superstars age.
"One of the reasons Bob [Myers] drafted him was because of that athleticism and that power," Kerr said. "It's something we haven't had a lot of. We had great talent, great skill, but to have that kind of power and explosiveness, it's added a different dimension to our team."
Standing at 6'8", Kuminga has physical gifts that include a 6-10 wingspan and a 38-vertical inch leap, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.
Kuminga demonstrated his unique attributes versus the Mavs on Jan. 25. With the game already decided, Kuminga played hard and ran the floor in transition.
In just two dribbles, he spun to his left and put Josh Green on a poster, sending Chase Center into a frenzy.
"Jon is one of the best athletes I've ever seen in his age," Klay Thompson said.
Though no one can replace the defensive prowess of Green, Draymond's energy and passion for the game is something that any player could emulate. Energy plays like diving after loose balls, making huge blocks, and attacking the rim fearlessly can jumpstart an offense.
Another question mark that has been an improvement was with Kuminga's motor. It's hard to have a constant motor like Green, but when Kuminga is engaged and energized, it brings a different aspect to the Warriors’ offense.
"Things are up and down,” Kerr said. “They will be from game to game. They sometimes are within the game. If you just keep competing and playing hard, the game can turn."
Kuminga's impressive rookie campaign has not gone unnoticed with his selection in the 2022 Rising Stars competition.
With Draymond's return still a mystery, the Warriors might have found money with Kuminga's production. Speeding up his development process is just the icing on the cake.
(Photo credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty images)