PORTLAND, Ore. — Jonathan Kuminga saw his opportunity and went for it.
The 23-year-old Golden State Warriors forward had just crossed the half-court circle Friday night and took three left-handed dribbles before crossing over just above the free-throw line and switching the ball to his right hand. Portland Trail Blazers big man Donovan Clingan met him to try and cut him off, but Kuminga kept powering to the rim. He jumped up toward the rim, just above the restricted area arc, with the ball in his right arm as Clingan jumped up at the same time to try and block his shot.
As Kuminga burst toward the rim, he threw down a hellacious dunk on top of Clingan that left Blazers fans oooohing and ahhhing in appreciation.
“It happened quick,” Kuminga said after the Warriors’ 139-119 loss to the Blazers. “I wasn’t expecting me being that open when I took that first step, but I was up there, I was like, ‘This is my chance to try him.’ And obviously, I end up doing it, but it was lucky.”
The dunk served as both the highlight of a lackluster night for a Warriors team that couldn’t keep its defense together playing in its third game in four nights to start the season, and a reminder of the best non-Steph Curry part of the Warriors’ first week of play. Kuminga, the man who dominated headlines all summer because of lengthy contract negotiations and a lingering uncertainty about whether he really wanted to stay with the Warriors and play for Steve Kerr, has been a major positive for the veteran-laden team.
Kuminga put together his third straight solid performance in Friday’s loss, scoring 16 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out three assists and grabbing two steals. His activity has been noticed on both ends of the floor and his ability to make impact plays — in a variety of ways — has caught the eyes of teammates and coaches early in the season.
“Decisive basketball,” Curry said. “Trying to make the right play. Understanding our sets and where he can attack, and he’s doing a great job of it. I know the spotlight’s gonna be on him consistently every night because of outside noise, but we love the way he’s approached everything since training camp and expect more of that.”
To Kuminga’s credit, since coming into camp, he has been focused on helping the Warriors however he can, a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed by many within the organization. Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler all expressed confidence that Kuminga would eventually arrive in camp and play up to the level they always believed he had within him. A week into the season, they have been proven correct.
Arguably, the biggest single moment for Kuminga as far as his short-term future with the team goes came just over a week ago in the same Moda Center building. Just before halftime of an Oct. 14 preseason game against the Blazers, Kuminga drove toward the same rim where he dunked on Clingan — only that time he thought he got fouled and couldn’t finish at the rim. He argued with veteran official Rodney Mott, was immediately ejected and was subsequently fined $35,000 for getting in Mott’s face.
At the time, Kerr said he loved the fire that Kuminga played with and “kind of liked” the ejection because of the energy Kuminga was showing in camp.
A week and a half later, Kerr continues to sing Kuminga’s praises when given the opportunity. Kerr said he likes the way Kuminga is passing and believes Kuminga is seeing the floor better.
“I just like the approach,” Kerr said. “I like the vibe that he’s bringing. He’s confident. He definitely feels like part of the team and what we’re trying to do after all the contract stuff. I just think his teammates have been so good — Jimmy and Steph, Dray, all welcoming him back with open arms, reminding him that contract stuff is contract stuff.
“So JK’s had a really good start to the season. I’m proud of him, the way he’s playing, and I’m excited for what’s ahead for him and for us.”
Whether Kuminga — who signed a two-year $48.5 million extension with a team option in the second year a couple days into camp — stays with the Warriors long term remains to be seen. But what is clear a week into the season is that the work he put in with his trainer, Anthony Wells, over the summer is paying off. Kuminga’s hot start is a reminder that as long as he continues to improve, he will either help the Warriors contend for the next championship the organization still believes is within its reach, or he will help them acquire other pieces as they try to reach that goal.
The bottom line is it’s better for all involved that Kuminga continues to play well. He will get the money, the respect that comes with it and likely, the role he wants — either with the Warriors or somewhere else — if he does. In the meantime, what’s clicking for him early in the season is clear for all to see.
“Just the way I’m reading the game,” Kuminga said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I had to go back and focus and learn and work on it just reading the game, being patient, knowing how people are guarding me and just focusing on playing defense and learning how to play certain people.”
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