Why Golden State Warriors’ forward needs increased role against Lakers
Jonathan Kuminga became a detoritating presence during the Golden State Warriors’ first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, but that doesn’t mean he can’t re-enter the fray against the Los Angeles Lakers starting at Chase Center on Tuesday night.
The second-year forward saw 10 minutes in Game 1 against the Kings, and then 13 minutes in Game 3, but became stapled to the bench the longer the series went. He played three first-half minutes in Game 4, received a DNP-CD in Game 5, and only played in the garbage minutes of Games 6 and 7.
Jonathan Kuminga’s size and athleticism will be crucial as the Golden State Warriors prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Warriors got away with having three and occasionally even four-guard lineups against the Kings, largely because Sacramento didn’t have the size or skill at the forward positions to take advantage of potential mismatches. Golden State guards were able to defend the likes of Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray who were primarily just catch-and-shoot threats, but that won’t be the case when they meet the Lakers.
Kuminga’s defensive versatility is why he could carve out a role in this series. He’s shown a capacity to be able to guard a range of the league’s best players, and he usually looks most engaged when he does have that kind of one-on-one challenge.
Steve Kerr leant heavily on Gary Payton II during the Kings series, with his perimeter defense being a priority against Sacramento’s explosive guard duo of De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. Things will shift this series with the Warriors needing to combat the championship duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
James is the big matchup from a Kuminga standpoint. Andrew Wiggins will almost certainly get first go at the four-time NBA champion, and Draymond Green will also have his turn on the Lakers’ superstar. Yet beyond that, Kuminga is undoubtedly the best option from a physical standpoint. Can he handle the occasion from an emotional and mental standpoint? We should at least get the chance to find out.
Los Angeles will be much more capable of attacking and exposing the Warriors’ lack of size than what Sacramento were. Even someone like Rui Hachimura, who averaged over 14.5 points on 56.9% shooting in the first-round, presents a skilled forward option for the Lakers that the Kings simply didn’t possess.
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Sometimes bad matchups present in the playoffs for role players, particularly if they’re also young and inexperienced. Sacramento was simply that for Kuminga, but there’s certainly a realistic path for things to change against Los Angeles. Games 1 and 2 will be critical to see whether the 20-year-old can still have a positive impact on this postseason going forward.