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‘Unique’ Kuminga forging his own path with the Golden State Warriors

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he was called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 11: Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he was called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on February 11, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Any talented young NBA player is inevitably compared to the proven stars at some point in their first couple of seasons in the league. Even before that, potential futures are often analysed by comparisons pre-draft. It’s been no different for second-year Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Warrior fans have been infatuated with who Kuminga could become, particularly given the impressive development we’ve seen this season. But for the man himself, offering comparisons is a futile discussion.

Free of comparisons to top-tier NBA stars, Jonathan Kuminga is set on forging his own path and legacy with the Golden State Warriors.

After displaying flashes of his potential during his rookie season, Kuminga has been a much more consistent part of the Golden State rotation as his second-year has progressed. While he may have produced plenty already this season, we may be reflecting on the 20-year-old’s best two days as a pro across Thursday and Friday. That’s the sentiment of Steve Kerr anyway, with the head coach stating Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans “was one of his best games, and so was last night (against the Los Angeles Clippers)”.

https://twitter.com/KNBR/status/1631904308731183104

Kuminga tallied 19 points and seven rebounds in each of the back-to-back games, shooting an efficient 16-for-25 from the field combined. Yet even more so than the crucial scoring element, he was critical in guarding respective stars Kawhi Leonard and Brandon Ingram.

The former number seven overall pick has often been compared to the Clippers pair of Leonard and Paul George — the gold standard for any two-way wings entering the league. Following the win over the Pelicans, Kuminga was asked whether Leonard was someone he models his game after.

"“He’s a great player but I don’t look to model my game to anybody. I want to be unique, I want to be the only Jonathan. I’ll definitely watch some things about him but I’m not trying to model my game to his game.”"

It’s the right attitude to have, and one that should excite Golden State fans more so than often meaningless comparisons. Kuminga may want to reach the level of Leonard and other stars, but he’ll take his own path and playstyle in order to get there.

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Although improvement may never be a linear progression, the fact Kuminga can play 32 minutes, and lead the team in plus-minus, shows just how far he’s come from the inconsistent and untrustworthy player he was at the start of the season.

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