How Smith believes Kuminga can help Warriors reach West finals

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How Smith believes Kuminga can help Warriors reach West finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors, at times throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, have looked like a true title contender, a fringe play-in team, and everything in between.

Golden State had quite the identity crisis in the first half, but in four games after acquiring star forward Jimmy Butler before the NBA All-Star break, began to form a new identity as a team with renewed energy that has many inside the organization — and some outside — believing the Warriors can make a deep playoff run.

One believer in Golden State’s roster is TNT analyst Kenny Smith, who joined NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole and Bonta Hill on the latest episode of “Dubs Talk” and discussed how fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga can be the team’s X factor down the stretch.

“He has to take the step. Not a step, the step that separates him from the rest of the pack,” Smith explained. “And if he does that, we’re going to be looking around here in May going ‘Oh my God, they’re in the Western Conference finals.’

“But if he doesn’t, it will be an interesting summer.”

Kuminga, whom the Warriors selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, will become a restricted free agent this summer after he and Golden State failed to agree to a contract extension this fall.

The 22-year-old has shown flashes of his All-Star potential over the years, and emerged as a consistent second scoring option to superstar guard Steph Curry this season before suffering a right ankle sprain on Jan. 4 that has sidelined him 21 games.

Not only does Smith believe Kuminga can be a catalyst for the Warriors down the stretch, but is confident the young forward possesses the tools to be an impactful player for years to come.

“He can be a better version of this, [and] it’s Serge Ibaka,” Smith said when asked for his Kuminga comparison. “Like he can be a better version of that. He could be a shot-blocker defender because of his athleticism, a run-the-lane dunker. And what he’s added, he can handle the basketball. So he becomes another guy you can pass…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/smith-believes-kuminga-help-warriors-094647607.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-02-17 09:46:00

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