Why Kuminga will start vs Pistons, home stand topics coming back from road trip
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I transcribed nearly all of the postgame interviews after the loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as this morning’s shootaround (Andrew Wiggins at the podium). Those are available below the paywall demarcation line 👇
Also, Steve Kerr just announced that Jonathan Kuminga will get the start. I know I said I wouldn’t start Kuminga in my previous post, but that was more under the guise of a “must-win” situation. It’s understandable Kerr would give this opportunity to JK — remember I also said if Kerr had to do it all over again and face the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 2 of the NBA Finals tomorrow without Draymond Green, he’d probably also have to start JK as it’s all about matchups:
It’s against the Detroit Pistons, which is obviously not a veteran team.
Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton II are both questionable, which leaves the second unit without a stabilizing force. Enter Otto Porter, who has recently been the starter in place of Green. By that same token, Kuminga is better off being mixed with Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson than relegated to a second unit that’s just not as, well, stable.
JK has earned the start. However, if today’s game were against veteran stalwarts such as the Phoenix Suns or Utah Jazz or, heck, the LA Clippers, for example, I doubt Kuminga would’ve been tabbed. It depends on the opposing power forward matchup.
Here’s Kerr on the above:
Here were the topics coming out of Minnesota. These are all now on our YouTube channel and bonus coverage is available for paid subscribers down below behind the paywall notice…
WHY WARRIORS LOST, NOW HOME STAND
Kerr - Recap: “Slipped away from us late third quarter…they got to the rim three or four times…we ran out of gas…Minnesota got hot…too much for us.”
Kerr - Road trip: “1-3 is disappointing obviously for a team of our caliber but we understand what’s going on. We’re in a tough spot…this is our time of the year…next seven at home…”
Kerr - Seven straight home: “…see their families, sleep in their own bed…”
Kerr - Missed 16 straight shots: “I thought we had some good looks…couldn’t knock anything down…Minnesota did a good job defensively…we did a much better job of taking care of the ball the second half…had some good stretches…start the third quarter, but as I said we ran out of gas…”
Klay - Recap: “…not shooting great effectively from the field and they shot a great percentage…turnovers weren’t very good…I think we’re all just ready to go home and be ready for Tuesday.”
JK - Recap: “Uhh, I think I should’ve brought more energy but I did bring it to a point where I feel like it was gonna help the team a lot.”
Poole - Offensive issues: “(long pause) I’m not sure.”
Poole - Road trip: “I don’t think anybody thought we were gonna go 1-3. There are a lot of games left…we get to go home for the next couple games…home fans…”
Poole - Home stand: “…done a really good job of taking care of home court…refreshing…get back to the drawing board, see what it is we need to fix…take care of itself.”
Poole - Travel schedule: “You gotta be ready for it. You get the schedule at the beginning of the season, you already know what it is…sign up for this…play night in and night out.”
More topics below paywall 👇 (Nemanja Bjelica, missing Draymond, JK, Klay integration)