Jimmy Butler has made it clear, he’s in Golden State not simply to win, however to mentor.
Following the Warriors’ opening evening win over the Lakers, Butler spoke glowingly about Jonathan Kuminga, who began alongside him within the frontcourt and turned heads on each ends of the ground.
“I simply wanna assist JK be nice,” Butler mentioned by way of 95.7 The Sport. “I imply, he’s received a lot uncooked expertise, and he’s so aggressive. He’s athletic, he’s tremendous sensible, and I’m attempting to show him slightly little bit of what I see all through the sport. I’ve been kicking it with him, hanging out, watching movie, and simply engaged on our recreation collectively after apply and earlier than apply. I understand how nice he needs to be and the way nice he could be.”
The 23-year-old Kuminga was on the heart of commerce rumors for a lot of the offseason, however now appears locked in after Golden State’s choice to maintain him long-term.
His efficiency in opposition to Los Angeles, highlighted by a number of key defensive stops and high-energy performs, was a promising signal that he’s able to take one other leap.
Draymond Inexperienced praised Kuminga’s defensive effort in opposition to Luka Doncic, saying, “He was guarding Luka all evening. And you already know Luka—properly, he completed with 39, 40, one thing like that. Nevertheless it was like we didn’t need to commit two guys… You’re not stopping a terrific scorer, however you make it robust on him. I believe JK was throughout him.”
Steve Kerr additionally had nothing however reward for Kuminga.
“I believe he’s actually matured, Kerr mentioned, by way of The Athletic. “He’s had a terrific camp. We’ve had some actually good conversations. I believe he has a greater understanding of what we want… I’m actually happy with him for staying with it and maturing.”
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