Draymond Green wishes for Jonathan Kuminga to be even more dominant in his new chapter for the Atlanta Hawks.
There was never much doubt over Jonathan Kuminga's ability to shine as one of the league's most impressive two-way forwards, even though he never truly got consistent minutes under coach Steve Kerr. But one person from the Golden State Warriors camp who has constantly praised the 23-year-old forward is Draymond Green.
After Kuminga got off to an impressive start in his Atlanta Hawks chapter, the former Defensive Player of the Year was at the forefront of appreciating his performance — and revealing that he had a quick pep talk with him before the debut, sharing nothing but positive vibes.
Kuminga wasted no time making a statement. In his debut for Atlanta on Feb. 24, he scored a game-high 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers, along with four assists and two steals in 24 minutes of game time. Though he came off the bench, it seemed as if Kuminga was already equipped for the fast-paced playing style of his new teammates.
Then, in his second game — that, too, against the Washington Wizards — he recorded 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting along with nine rebounds and three assists to help the Hawks secure another victory.
Kuminga kept rolling in his third outing, a March 1 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers, posting 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in 25 minutes.
Through three games in Atlanta, he is averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 67.7% from the field. The Hawks have won all three contests by a combined 85 points, with Kuminga posting a plus-59 in that span.
Speaking on his podcast, Green made it clear how proud he is to watch his former teammate thrive in a new environment. More than anything, the four-time NBA champion expressed hope that Kuminga continues to build on this momentum and establish himself as an even more proficient scoring threat.
"One thing's for certain is JK can really score the basketball. JK really loves the game of basketball. He competes, and I've absolutely loved watching him go out there … everything aside — a fresh opportunity and new threads, and go out there and show the world who he is. Obviously, we all know who JK is," Green said. "We know what he's capable of. But to get off to a great start, to have Atlanta excited, give Atlanta something to be excited about or something else to be excited about, another young prize possession to be excited about, it was beautiful to see."
The Hawks now sit at .500 with a 31-31 record, and with the roster embracing a refreshed identity, Kuminga is expected to receive consistent minutes and greater opportunities going forward. For Kuminga, perhaps the biggest boost comes from knowing that a respected veteran like Green continues to support him from afar.