Coach Steve Kerr said he wants to take a “look” at this starting lineup change and see how it goes. In the first game with this change, the Warriors were defeated 107-90 by the Timberwolves at Chase Center.
Green said he is willing to come off the bench for as long as necessary to help the Warriors win and Kuminga grow.
“Of course, I agree with that,” Green said Friday night. “I’ve been one of JK’s biggest fans since he got here. And if he gets a chance to start, you can’t be hypocritical and [if] They are like we want it to start, but it will be [up to] You, you can’t say, ah, it’s not for me, that doesn’t work. I want to see him do it well.
“So if his opportunity comes through me, then it is what it is. He earned his opportunity. He played very well.” [Thursday]. You want to give it another look or two or three or four or however long it takes. If it works, continue with it.”
After starting 12-3, the Warriors have lost six of seven games. Kuminga scored 13 points in 29 minutes, but it was a terrible offensive night for the Warriors, who were limited to 39% shooting overall and 11 of 39 (28.2%) from 3 by the Minnesota defense.
On Thursday, the Warriors snapped a five-game losing streak with a 99-93 victory over the Houston Rockets. Kuminga showed his potential, scoring a career-high 33 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter to lead the Warriors to victory despite Green and Stephen Curry sitting out due to injuries.
“I don’t necessarily see it as a demotion,” said Green, a 13-year veteran. “I’m a starter in the NBA. I know that. But if it’s something to try to help this team win, I’ll always be for it. I hate losing.
“I care about this organization, and I know a lot of people in this organization, including myself, think he’s next. And if he’s next, at some point we’re going to have to see it.”
Starting Kuminga at power forward alongside Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney in the frontcourt allows Kerr to give Curry scoring help in Kuminga and Wiggins without having to start Green at center and wear down his best defender against the big man. opposing man from the beginning of the game. . Green can also help organize the second unit and close out the halves at center.
Kerr said he will have to see how his rotations are affected by injuries to Wiggins (ankle) and Moses Moody (left knee soreness). Both left the game due to injury and did not return. His status is uncertain for Sunday’s rematch against the Timberwolves.
“The idea is we’re trying to make the most of Jonathan’s ability to go downhill and give him more time,” Kerr said. “He and Wig were fantastic. [against Houston]. We’re looking for ways to get those guys more involved and not wear Draymond and Steph down. That’s the trick and finding combinations within that.”
The franchise sees Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft, as a crucial piece for its future. The Warriors had conversations during the offseason about acquiring another star in Lauri Markkanen and Paul George from Utah before signing with Philadelphia in free agency. In the end, the Warriors resisted trading Kuminga and other assets like Brandin Podziemski.
Now seems like the time to see what Kuminga can do with a bigger opportunity.
“For us to be good, you saw [what Kuminga did] In the Houston game, you’ve seen flashes,” Curry said. “We need him to be the best version of himself. We have to be able to determine whether it’s game decisions, whether it’s certain rotation or lineup combinations, what can unlock his ability to get down low, pressure the basket and demand attention from the defense. It’s a great weapon for us.
“…We’re a different team than we’ve been the last three years, and the experimental phase of trying to unlock new looks, new outfits, get the ball in their hands, it’s time for that.” Otherwise we haven’t had results, so we have to lean on that and it may not go well every night, but that’s what we’re trying to build.”
Kerr has been searching for the right rotation after playing with 11- to 12-man rotations for much of this season.
Green understands this could be something that unlocks the Warriors’ potential. When David Lee was injured, Green became the starter and the Warriors won the championship in 2014-15.
“I’m a product of my veterinarian being willing to take a backseat for me,” Green said. “So you have to give back what you got. That’s what it’s all about.”
