Golden State Warriors: Moody and Kuminga have arrived
By Tony Pesta
They won’t be in the race for Rookie of the Year, and they did not even get any Rising Stars consideration, but Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga are showing the Golden State Warriors everything they need to see.
It’s hard not to look at the 2021 NBA Draft as anything but a massive win for the Dubs. The likelihood of Kuminga, originally projected as a top three or four pick, falling all the way to seventh was pure insanity for a team with so much dynasty potential.
Then, you toss in a polished prospect like Moody, who could have gone anywhere in the top 10, dropping into the Warriors’ hands at 14. It was exactly what the Dubs were hoping for.
Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga were grand slam selections for the Golden State Warriors as both rookies begin flashing their promise.
There is a general consensus that Kuminga is among the most talented in his class. The only question and the concern that held him from being a higher pick was his potential to be a bust. He hadn’t put it all together yet and many rebuilding teams did not want to risk taking on a hit-or-miss developmental project.
As for the Warriors, they felt more than confident in their ability to help Kuminga reach his ceiling. After all, they’ve developed plenty of homegrown talent in the past such as Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney and Jordan Poole.
Recently, Kuminga’s strengths are becoming impossible to deny. He’s a tank in transition, demolishing opponents on his way to the rim. He’s also an explosive athlete in the half court, stampeding his way to the basket to detonate on unsuspecting defenders.
Meanwhile, Moody is showcasing why he was such a perfect fit in Golden State. He’s a master of the little things, scrapping for extra possessions, making the right pass, playing team defense and knocking down open 3-pointers.
Both Moody and Kuminga have had rough patches this season. It’s likely we have to wait a few more years to see what these two are truly capable of. Yet, the future is too bright to ignore.