After ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith claimed that Warriors guard Jonathan Kuminga hasn’t been focused, his teammate from last season, Andre Iguodala came to his defense, Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area writes. Smith suggested that Kuminga’s actions and attitude have shown a lack of discipline this year.
“My young fella, I’m on his head,” Iguodala said on his “Point Forward” podcast, as relayed by Rodriguez. “He took some licks from Stephen A. I don’t know how warranted they were because from what I heard he been doing what he supposed to do this summer.”
Kuminga, 19, averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game last season, shooting 51% from the floor. It’s unclear exactly what Smith heard — possibly related to Kuminga’s work ethic or demeanor — but Iguodala seems to be confident in the second-year player’s progress.
Here are some other notes from the West:
- Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal examines which young NBA cores may challenge the Grizzlies the most in 2022/23. Led by Ja Morant‘s stellar campaign, Memphis finished with the second-best record in the league last season, surprising onlookers. Among the teams Cole listed are the Timberwolves, who sport a trio of D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns — plus recently acquired Rudy Gobert from the Jazz.
- In the second part of a series, Kelly Iko of The Athletic examined the results of his Rockets fans survey. Among the questions Iko asked was which Rockets player needs to take the biggest leap next season, with Jalen Green finishing first. Green averaged 17.3 points during his rookie campaign last season, shooting 43% from the floor and 34% from deep.
(North)E(ast)SPN always just lying trying to break up the Warriors just because they’re a CA team not the Lakers who beat down the loser tri state area teams nonstop the last decade, its pathetic.
????
Nah, it’s a guy that’s paid to get clicks to a website or watch a show cause that’s what drives revenue. So he says controversial stuff that will do exactly that.
It worked….again.
What you did there, lady, is cry for the sake of crying. Clean-up that Karen routine for next time.
IMO
The current Rockets GM is comparable to former 76ers Sam Hinkie,
2014-2017 four consecutive years tanking
Is he The best tanking expert in the nba history?
Fully rebuild means tanking to me
Hinkie is very smart
what else would iggy say? lol
I mean if you are gonna believe Stephen A… well enough said, right?
Jalen Green ceiling is DLo or Oladipo?
What is RJ Barrett stats?
Comparable to Green?
Green is the next scoring star. Think big Silly.
I’d take Green over RJ. And I love RJs gm.
Oladipo, DLo? Lol. Barrett is not on Greens level. Based on rook years. He’s a better scorer, shooter, ball handler just overall much better. Plus the fact his improvement later on was excellent. I like RJ a lot but their Ceilings aren’t comparable.
At worst if fit green will be a Lavine level AS player. At best him, book and Edwards duke it out for best 2 guards in the league on the way for HOF careers. He Cade and Mobley are high potential superstars for the future.
Kuminga is a high draft future star, yet he played Summer League and International games for his country this offseason. He could have easily taken easy way out this offseason after a long first season in nba. And he has attitude problem and lazy???! Gimme a break!
What a bs! Who’s your frekin source and who says that are correct???
Who indeed, says that are correct?
Why would Iguodala publicly legitimize Stephen A Smith? He and Bayless are the definition of shock jock that try to roil up anyone for the sake of a story. He just added fuel to his fire.
Funny how the Warriors has more young talent than most team that are rebuilding. PBJ has been turning heads this summer in work outs. Warriors are a team with too much talent because of the cap. Warriors could lose 2 stars this next off season with Poole, Wiggins, and Green as free agents.
That what two drafts at the bottom can do for you. It’s why Thibs should of tanked last yr. Had great opportunity to do it
I’m a big Kuminga guy. I don’t believe that about him. He’s young and might seem to deviate. I see big 2way talent. Future all star.
Who you got? Jalen Green or Anthony Edwards ?