Warriors in Crisis: Golden State Warriors Manager Steve Kerr Admits Star Player Isn’t Meshing with Team
The Golden State Warriors are a changed team thanks to the deadline trade for Jimmy Butler.
Jimmy Butler gave the Golden State Warriors a shot of hope, just when the team appeared to be fading during a rough two month stretch.
Results have taken an immediate upswing, with Butler adding a new dimension to the Warriors offense, creating even more space for Stephen Curry, while adding a threat inside the paint, with Steve Kerr pleased with his new star man.
And while the change has been positive, one man has been an odd man out so far.
Steve Kerr on Jonathan Kuminga
Jonathan Kuminga was out with an injury before the trade deadline and has had to wait to play his part on the new look Warriors.
He made his Warriors return on March 14 against the Kings, and was heavily criticized by fans following his performance in the Warriors shock loss against the Denver Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokic.
It has been a slightly challenging re-introduction, and Steve Kerr has admitted that Kuminga must adjust, as he does not quite fit what the Warriors are currently doing.
Speaking to 95.7 The Game, Kerr said: “I think he’s coming along… I think the biggest thing, honestly, is we are a different team.
“We’re a completely different team now, since before his injury and it’s obviously because we have Jimmy Butler, and Jimmy is the best ISO player in the league, by analytics.
“So our style has shifted a little bit. We’re playing through Jimmy… So it’s an adjustment for JK.”
Jonathan Kuminga numbers
Jonathan Kuminga has played six games since returning from injury and is yet to score above 18 points for the team.
Pre All-Star break Kuminga was averaging 16.8 ppg, and since then this has dipped to 13.8. His rebounds per game have also dropped from 5.0 to 3.2 per game.
Some of this could be attributed to a slight reduction in minutes, from averaging 26.0 per game to 23.2.
But there is also the eye test, and it has been obvious Kuminga is still trying to work out his new role, and that should come with time, with Kerr a big believer in his talent, he will get the opportunities.
