Watch: Jonathan Kuminga takes steps fitting in to Golden State Warriors system

It’s been a slow burn for Jonathan Kuminga so far this season, but last year’s seventh overall pick showed incredibly positive signs in the Golden State Warriors’ demolition of the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. 

Kuminga’s overwhelming talent has always made him a productive player when on the floor — the issue is that half of that is mistake-ridden and non-conducive to the Warriors hopes of winning. The 20-year-old’s box score numbers — 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, 5-for-8 shooting, 3-for-4 from three — were impressive against the Spurs, but it was more so his style of play that felt different to what we’ve seen in the past.

Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs provided evidence that Jonathan Kuminga can learn and fit within the Golden State Warriors’ intricate system.

There’s no secret that the Warriors, particularly offensively, possess one of the more complicated and detailed system’s in the league. It’s this complexity that’s made it difficult for Kuminga, James Wiseman and Moses Moody to earn regular minutes this season.

Let’s take a look at seven clips (ironic given his draft position) that give credence to the possibility that Kuminga can be a Warriors-style player moving forward.

Firstly, the below pass to Anthony Lamb isn’t as easy as it may look — Doug McDermott has his hands up on-ball, Josh Richardson and JaMychal Green battling in Kuminga’s eye-sight just metres away. Yet he still finds the streaking Lamb who probably could have attempted a layup, but instead hits Moody for the three.

Golden State’s offensive system does force you to make the right reads, and it helps if you can handle the ball a little as well. The below pass to Lamb was easier than the one above, but it’s nonetheless an encouraging sign for someone who’s often looking to get his own shot.

Again, it’s all about making the right read as in the below clip, Kuminga notices no Spurs defender is picking him up on the perimeter. There’s major issues when he’s head down driving into traffic on the interior, but in this situation, even in his second season, Kuminga is damn near unstoppable.

Warriors basketball to a tee here in the below clip. With less than ten seconds on the shot clock and not much happening, Kuminga probably could have been excused for going to an isolation play. Instead, he directs a more experienced teammate, Kevon Looney, into the post before darting to the rim and getting sent to the line for two free-throws.

In the fifth clip below, other versions of Kuminga would have put the ball on the floor and drove to the rim with the sole intention of getting his own shot. Control is the word that best summarises his game against the Spurs, and it was on full display here.

Honestly, this leak out we see in the below clip is something Kuminga should be getting once a game. Golden State’s efficient, high-scoring night started with their active defense, and this was perhaps the highlight of it.

Finally, a nice little three-man game from the Warriors youngsters to close out the impressive team performance. It’s plays like this which demonstrate that, despite their struggles to open the season, the three recent lottery picks are learning, developing and maturing within the Golden State system.

It’s all about decision-making with Kuminga — the above clips show he has the physical attributes and ability to handle the ball in the open floor, to recognise and make the correct passes, to make an open three in the right scenario, and of course, to use his athleticism to run in transition for easy baskets.

It’s about eliminating the forced and rushed decisions — driving into traffic out of control and with nowhere to go, taking contested jumpshots with more than ten seconds on the shot clock, or calling isolation plays for himself when Stephen Curry or Jordan Poole are on the floor.

Those things were absent against the Spurs, helped by a lackadaisical defense which allowed Kuminga and the Warriors to rack up 132 points. What we saw from him was the level of a playoff contributor, and now it’s about building consistency particularly against high-level, experienced opposition.