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Jonathan Kuminga: 'If a lot of people that are playing were in my shoes, they'll quit basketball'

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Kuminga, the No. 7 pick in the 2021 draft, says he is mentally stronger in his fourth season and equipped to handle the shuffling in and out of the starting lineup. "Sometimes I start, sometimes I don't start," Kuminga said. "Don't really affect me. [At] this point in my career, I can't put my head down and not go out there and play hard or try to be effective. I just go out there and do my job because I can't even worry about things like that. The more you worry about things like that, the more you fail." "I'm used to it," Kuminga added of starting and not starting. "From where I come from, you always got to be mentally tough. A lot of people that are playing ... if they were in my shoes, they'll quit basketball. They'll need a therapist. They'll go through a lot of mental situations. But that thing don't affect me. As long as I go out here every day and just play, be with my teammates, [they] keep encouraging me to be who I am every day."

Source: ESPN

What's the buzz on Twitter?

Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM

Warriors drop a 111-105 loss to the Pacers at home, falling for the 10th time in the last 13 games. Jonathan Kuminga responds to Steve Kerr's criticism of his recent shot selection and decision making with 26 points and 8 rebounds. Steph Curry shot just 2-for-13 with 10 points. - 12:24 AM

Marcus Thompson @ThompsonScribe

This is quite a smart first-half by Kuminga. He's under control. Taking smart shots. Finding open guys. Attacking the rim - 10:47 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA

Man that was a great look from Draymond to Kuminga. McConnell was right there, but was prepared to switch onto Steph so Draymond threw it right over his back for a layup. - 10:41 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA

While Kerr was not complimentary of Kuminga's midrange shot selection pregame, it's clear they're emphasizing putting him in ball screen actions with smalls who can shoot. - 10:39 PM

More on this storyline

Kuminga made 9 of 16 shots and scored a game-high 26 points to go with 8 rebounds and 4 assists. While it wasn't enough to keep Golden State from losing 111-105 at Chase Center, Kuminga played like the force at the rim and the kind of secondary scorer Curry and the Warriors need. "This is the JK we want," Kerr said after Golden State lost for the 10th time in 13 games. "Spent a lot of time in the paint, took care of the ball. Had a couple really nice passes. Found Buddy [Hield] for 3 on a beautiful play and really attacked. So this is a great example of how JK needs to play. I'm really proud of him for coming out, playing that way. ... He's getting better, and it's fun to watch his development." -via ESPN / December 24, 2024

To acquire both Schröder and Cam Johnson from the Nets, as league sources say was also weighed by the Warriors, almost certainly would have required them to surrender Jonathan Kuminga. -via marcstein.substack.com / December 15, 2024

Warriors owner Joe Lacob still has an affinity for Kuminga, league sources told ESPN, even as Kerr seems to run hot and cold with him. But a strong message came this fall when Kuminga and the team didn't agree to a contract extension. The sides never got particularly close, sources said, which made it clear that Golden State's belief in his future had its limits, at least for now. -via ESPN / December 13, 2024

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jonathan Kuminga: 'If a lot of people that are playing were in my shoes, they'll quit basketball'