Draymond accepts Warriors bench role to maximize Kuminga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO With Steph Curry and Draymond Green out due to injuries Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, Jonathan Kuminga started for only the sixth time this season, and the 22-year-old was cleared for takeoff, leading the Warriors to a gritty win to snap their five-game losing streak behind a career-high 33 points.
Curry and Green were deemed good to go on the second night of a back-to-back. Curry of course was the Warriors starting point guard, but there was a major change to Steve Kerrs first five on the floor in Golden States 107-90 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kuminga was in the starting lineup. Green was not.
The change is here to stay too, at least for now.
I want to look at it, Kerr said. Were trying to maximize Jonathan. Playing him with [Andrew Wiggins], playing [Kevon Looney] to start that group means that Draymond doesnt have to guard the opposing center right from the get-go, which I think is important, and we can close with Draymond at the five.
So in theory, I like what it looks like. We have to play better. We have to make better decisions.
Obstacles can get in the way of Kerrs plan, though. Andrew Wiggins left Friday nights loss early due to a right ankle impingement, and Moses Moody also exited early because of left knee soreness.
The whole idea of Green coming off the bench, however, is all about Kuminga. After experimenting with him at small forward to begin the season, Kerr has been adamant that Kuminga is a four, not a three, and doesnt want to play him alongside two non-shooting big men.
In this case, that means not sharing the floor with Green and Looney at the same time.
Were trying to make the most of Jonathans ability to get downhill, to get him more time, Kerr explained. He and Wiggs last night were fantastic. Were searching for ways to get those guys more involved and not wear down Draymond and Steph.
Thats kind of the trick. And then finding combinations within that as the game goes.
The real question is, how does Green feel about the move?
He has come off the bench before when returning from injury. This move would be different. It would be clearing a path for a player much younger than him. Not a full passing of the torch, but a change in that direction.
Green says he feels great physically after missing his first game of the season due to left calf soreness. Mentally, hes willing to do whatever is needed for the Warriors, losers of six of their last seven games after starting the season 12-3, to get back on track.
Kerr called Green and told him the decision was something he had been thinking about and wanted to make sure he was OK with it.
Of course Im OK with it, Green said. Ive been one of JKs biggest fans since hes been here. If he has an opportunity to start, you cant be hypocritical. Im a fan of his, I want to see him do well. If his opportunity goes through me, it is what it is. Thats his opportunity and he earned that opportunity.
Thats kind of how I view it. That was my rationale. He played extremely well last night.
The four-time champion whos in Year 13 alluded to his own path to the starting lineup in Kerrs first year as the Warriors head coach.
I am a product of my vet being willing to take a backseat for me, Green said. Youve got to give back what came to you. Thats what this is about.
David Lee was an NBA All-Star for the Warriors in the 2012-13 season and then averaged 18.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game the next year. But the door was opened for a much younger Green to leapfrog Lee as a much better fit for Kerrs system, and the move was a key factor in the Warriors winning their first championship in 40 years.
Except the reason Green even became a starter was because of a hamstring injury to Lee, who was Wally Pippd by the future Hall of Famer.
I dont necessarily look at it as this demotion, Green said. Im a starter in the NBA, I know that. I dont look at it like that. But if its something to help this team win, Im always going to be for it. I hate losing. If you got something thats going to help this team win, youre not going to get an argument from me.
When asked if he would take a backseat and come off the bench earlier in his career, Green gave an emphatic Hell no, no chance. From training camp on, he also has spoken about his responsibility in seeing the Warriors thrive well beyond his playing days being done.
Kuminga has years and years and years left in his career, barring injury. Green isnt about to unlace his Nikes tomorrow, but time is much more on the side of someone 12 years younger than him.
I care about this organization, and I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, think hes next, Green said. If hes next, at some point weve got to see it. For him to do that, he needs the opportunity. Like I said, if the opportunity falls on you, being me, then thats what it is and you got to figure it out.
Hes earned the right to get that opportunity. When I come back here in 10 years and Im even more grey than I am now, I want to see this franchise thriving. If hes the guy thats gonna do that, which I think hes more than capable of, then great thats perfect.
Egos have to be left outside of the arena. The Warriors learned that the last two years following their championship in 2022. Green and Curry desperately want to get back to the mountaintop. If that means the ultimate sacrifice, so be it.
Maybe its one game. Maybe its two. Maybe its three, and maybe its for months to come.
However it all pans out, Curry commends his longtime teammates selflessness, sending a message to the rest of the team.
First off, it shows professionalism, Curry said. It shows his commitment to us trying to figure out what rotations work, what lineups work, what the flow should be. We have to be able to sacrifice for the group. Its, again, the DNA of this team right now. Until we figure out who we really are, who knows what its going to look like.
Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast