Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr called out Stephen A. Smith for his negative report on the team’s big man Jonathan Kuminga.
The analyst graded Kuminga with a rather sub-par report by reportedly saying that the work ethic and the focus that was needed of him weren’t up to the mark. This wasn’t taken too well by Kerr, who shared positive feedback on his player.
In a recent episode of The Athletic’s “The TK Show,” the coach picked up on Smith’s reporting saying calling it “weird”.
“I know there was that weird report that came out, I think Stephen A. Smith said something about JK. Honestly, Bob [Myers] and I, when that came out, called each other and asked each other, ‘Where did that come from?’ Because it made no sense.”
Steve Kerr’s Take On Kuminga: “He’s Done Everything We’ve Asked Of Him.”
Kerr lavished praise on the 19-year-old who was the team’s No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft. He even started a few games for the side during the playoffs, meaning he had earned the trust of his team’s seniors by adapting well to their read-and-react plays. He averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 70 regular-season games.
“JK’s been great. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him, he’s worked hard, and I enjoy coaching him. He’s right where he needs to be and he’s gotta just keep getting better every day. But we’re very happy with his summer and everything he’s committed to.”
While he still might be raw around the edges, Kuminga has demonstrated his potential to be their two-way player. Draymond Green’s statement of calling him a future All-Star further added to what he brings to the table for Golden State.
His performance in the regular season skirmishes against the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves, saw him log 25 and 33 minutes respectively, proving he has what it takes to make a mark in the big league. How he fares this season remains to be seen as the side gear up for their marquee clash against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 18.
