With the arrival of Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors have turned their season around after teetering outside the playoff picture. Behind an on-fire Stephen Curry, the Warriors now sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings. Adding to Steve Kerr team’s optimism is the return of forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is expected to provide a boost on both ends of the floor.
Kuminga has been sidelined with a sprained ankle since January 4 but is slated to return Thursday, January 13, against the Sacramento Kings. Speaking on 95.7 FM The Game, Kerr explained how Kuminga will need to adjust his role to complement the team’s new dynamic, anchored by Curry and Butler.
“I think his last couple of weeks [before the injury], we were running a lot of things through him because Jimmy wasn’t here yet,” Kerr said. “Jimmy is one of the best players in the league. He’s proven it. As soon as he got here, we started winning. And so we’re going to run through Jimmy Butler, and we’re going to run through Steph Curry“.
Kerr emphasized that Kuminga will need to embrace a supportive role alongside Curry and Butler, marking a shift from the responsibilities he held before his injury. “What that requires of [Kuminga] is to be settling into a role to support those guys, and that’s slightly different. That’s just something that he has to adapt to,” Kerr added.
Jimmy Butler III #10 enters the game for Stephen Curry #30 in the second half of the game between Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Butler’s take on Kuminga’s return
Before Butler joined the team, Kuminga was arguably the Warriors’ second-most impactful player behind Curry. Now, with Butler in the mix, Kuminga’s role will evolve to take on fewer responsibilities. Despite the adjustment, Butler expressed confidence in their ability to thrive together.
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“I think it’s going to be easy (playing with Kuminga),” Butler said upon joining the Warriors at the trade deadline. “Hella athletic. Can shoot it. Can score in a multitude of ways. Can definitely guard. I think he’s going to come back and do what he’s been doing. My job is to make it even easier on him“.
Kerr wants Kuminga to learn from Butler
The Warriors head coach has made it clear that he sees Jimmy Butler as a prime mentor for Jonathan Kuminga, praising Butler’s simplicity and winning mentality as the perfect example for the young forward to follow.
“I think Jimmy’s the perfect guy for JK to emulate,” Kerr shared in an interview with Danny Emerman of the Bay Area News Group. “I’m hoping that he can learn from Jimmy”.
Kerr went on to elaborate on what makes Butler an ideal role model for Kuminga, highlighting the veteran’s approach to the game. “What makes Jimmy special is that he doesn’t try to be special,“ he added. “He plays fundamental basketball. The constant fundamental play, he never turns it over, just makes the simple play over and over again. I want JK to learn some of that“.
