“Despite a challenging beginning, the Golden State Warriors are gradually finding their stride.”
HIGHLIGHTS
Kuminga’s performance has been crucial for the Warriors since Green’s suspension, providing much-needed scoring and shot creation.
The Warriors’ defense has significantly improved since Green’s return, with a top-six defensive rating this month.
Although the Warriors have flaws and have blown several leads this season, they are starting to look like a formidable opponent and could be a team to avoid in the playoffs.
About 40 games into the 2024 NBA regular season, the Golden State Warriors appeared to have lost their chance at a title. They had an 18-22 record, ranked 25th in defensive rating, and were among the bottom 12 in net rating.
Both Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins were performing well below expectations, leading to them being benched during crucial moments. Adding to the team’s woes, Draymond Green had been suspended for his behavior on the court, becoming more of a distraction than a contributor. Furthermore, Chris Paul’s injury added to the team’s challenges, with no clear timeline for his return.
Despite these setbacks, the Warriors have turned their season around. They’ve won seven of their last ten games, bringing their record to 26-26. With one of the easiest schedules remaining, they are poised to secure a playoff spot, or at least a play-in position. Given their recent performance, they could even cause an upset in the first round. So, what led to this dramatic change?
A blessing in disguise
Kuminga has averaged 18.4 points since Green’s suspension
One of the primary challenges for the Warriors early in the season was the absence of a reliable secondary scoring option. Despite Stephen Curry’s exceptional performance, the team lacked consistent support. Both Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins struggled, delivering below-par performances compared to their career averages.
When Draymond Green was suspended, head coach Steve Kerr had to explore his bench options, leading to the emergence of Jonathan Kuminga as a key player. Kuminga has become the team’s second-highest scorer since Green’s suspension, showcasing impressive efficiency by ranking fourth in field goal percentage.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Stats Before vs After Green’s Suspension
Stat
Before
After
PPG
12.0
18.4
FGA
9.3
12.6
MIN
20.6
29.7
ORtg
115
116.7
Although Jonathan Kuminga has displayed flashes of potential in the past, he was not given significant playing time by Coach Kerr, preventing him from fully demonstrating his abilities. However, Green’s suspension provided Kuminga with the opportunity to display his talents, and he has since become a valuable contributor to the Warriors’ success.
The Warriors’ offensive style creates ample space, a situation where Jonathan Kuminga excels. He demonstrates strong abilities in driving to the basket and has a reliable mid-range shooting game. Additionally, Kuminga’s speed and athleticism make him effective in transition, allowing him to attack the basket before opponents can set up their defense.
His aggressive style often results in drawing fouls, averaging 4.1 free throw attempts per game, which is second highest on the team. He’s converting these at a career-high rate of 72.6 percent. Kuminga’s threat in the paint forces defenders to collapse towards him, opening up scoring opportunities for his teammates.
For instance, in one play, he beats his defender, forcing help from Jaren Jackson Jr., which in turn leaves another defender, John Konchar, out of position to defend Green, leading to an open three-point shot for Wiggins.
In just over a month, Kuminga has demonstrated why he was a lottery pick, providing valuable secondary scoring and shot creation for the Warriors.
A revitalized defense
Sixth-best defensive rating this month
Green’s suspension not only benefited Kuminga but also had a positive effect on Green himself. Since his return, Green has shown increased focus and intensity on the defensive end, setting a tone that has spread to the entire Warriors team. As a result, they have had the fourth-best defensive rating in the league and currently hold the sixth-best defensive rating this month.
Wiggins has regained his form as a perimeter defender during this recent stretch, and Gary Payton II’s return from injury has strengthened their wing defense. Kuminga is also evolving into a strong one-on-one defender. It seems that the Warriors have embraced a defensive mindset since Green’s return. In February, three of the top five players with the most charges drawn were from the Warriors.
However, the Warriors are not without flaws. They recently lost to the Los Angeles Clippers, squandering a 15-point lead, which has been a recurring issue for them this season.
The Denver Nuggets will most likely win the series, and the Lakers should move Anthony Davis this summer. On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers let down their supporters worldwide. The Lakers have […]
Golden State Warriors’ forward, Andrew Wiggins, is set to take an indefinite hiatus from the team due to undisclosed personal reasons, as confirmed by head coach Steve Kerr. The announcement was made during an interview […]
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently shed light on the emotionally charged reaction of Klay Thompson upon learning about the decision to transition him into a sixth-man role. The move, orchestrated by Kerr and the […]
Be the first to comment