NBA-Warriors’ Kuminga earns praise from Green for ‘elite’ two-way surge

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By Rory Carroll

(Reuters) -Golden State forward Jonathan Kuminga has emerged from a protracted offseason contract dispute playing “incredible” two-way basketball, teammate Draymond Green said on Thursday.

Kuminga, 23, returned to the Warriors on a reported two-year, $48.5 million deal that did not include the player option he sought.

Now in his fifth NBA season, the Congolese forward is averaging 16.2 points on 53.7% shooting, 43.8% from three, and 7.4 rebounds per game while routinely defending the opponent’s primary scorer.

“We told him at the beginning of the season, if you want to do it differently, become All-Defense, and he’s taken that challenge,” Green, a former Defensive Player of the Year, said on his podcast.

He lauded Kuminga’s work against Memphis guard Ja Morant on Monday and the Clippers’ James Harden the next night as Golden State opened the season 4-1.

“That is elite-level defending,” Green said.

“He’s picking up guys full court,” Green added. “He’s using his length, learning to defend without fouling, and he’s so poised on offense. He’s been rebounding the hell out of the ball.

“Jonathan Kuminga is playing incredible basketball.”

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday that Kuminga will remain in the starting lineup, a move Green said should solidify the forward’s confidence.

“It was great to see Steve say, ‘He’s a starter,'” Green said.

“To go through what he went through with his contract situation and come out balling the way he is, I tip my hat to the young fella.

“There’s a lot in store for him if he keeps playing the type of basketball he’s playing.”

The Warriors visit the Milwaukee Bucks later on Thursday.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles)