Steve Kerr and Jonathan Kuminga have – somewhat publicly – not seen eye to eye on many issues the fifth-year ahead does on a basketball courtroom.
However when the Warriors ahead was ejected from the staff’s fourth preseason recreation, tossed after arguing a no-call on a drive with 0.9 displaying on the clock, the coach didn’t blast his participant.
He really appreciated the depth Kuminga confirmed when he obtained proper within the official’s face to argue his case in Portland on Tuesday.
“He got fouled, and it was frustration play, and I have no problem with it, because he deserved the foul and he was getting fouled quite a bit,” Kerr advised media after the sport, later including, “I love the way he played, I love the fire, the passion. I don’t mind the ejection at all. I kind of liked it, actually. I thought JK was terrific.”
The Warriors defeated the Blazers 118-111.
Kerr raved about Kuminga’s continued effort to showcase an all-around recreation. Other than seven factors, he additionally had 4 assists whereas enjoying the Draymond Inexperienced position out of the put up and on the wing.
His exercise on the glass was additionally a lot improved from Sunday’s recreation towards the Lakers, when Kuminga grabbed zero rebounds.
“The way he ran on that play, the activity he played with, and he had six boards in one half in 17 minutes, that’s the JK who can really help our team,” Kerr stated.
Kuminga lately signed a two-year, $46.5 million contract after a dramatic summer-long negotiation with the entrance workplace. Throughout his introductory press convention, he pledged to concentrate on extra than simply scoring, one thing he has carried out so far.
He has dished out 16 assists in 4 video games, and has, except for the goose egg in Los Angeles, grabbed a minimum of 5 rebounds in every of the opposite three video games.