Draymond Green Hypes Up 6ft 7″ Jonathan Kuminga, Days After Chris Paul’s Praise: “Take His Defensive Game to Whole Another Level!”

Golden State Warriors legend Draymond Green hyped up the 20-year-old Jonathan Kuminga during the Day 2 training camp conference. The 6 ft 7” forward had a bit of breakthrough seasons last time around. Kuminga showed a consistent ability and willingness to guard the opposition’s best players and is set for an increased role in the upcoming season. Green’s praise for JK comes days after the Warriors’ new superstar Chris Paul called the player a hooper. The clip was posted on Twitter by Warriors on NBCS.

Feeding off the praise, Kuminga will be hoping to take his game to the next level. According to Green, JK is set to show much more certainty and comfort with his game and will be excited to show it in the coming season. How that translates on the court for the Warriors will be interesting for fans.

Draymond Green praises Jonathan Kuminga, days after Chris Paul

Green has been the defensive stalwart for the Warriors for almost a decade and knows exactly what he is talking about. While he praised Kuminga for his defensive impact last season, Draymond expects further improvement in the coming campaign.

This is because the 20-year-old has shown more maturity and confidence in his game. Describing him as a player who is still raw, Green claimed that he has grown comfortable with his game and will be focused on doing “what he does best”:

“I think what he started to show us last season on the defensive side was incredible. He was able to showcase you his skills, and I think now he’ll be able to showcase not only his skills, but his understanding, and I think that will take his defensive game to whole another level. While Jonathan Kuminga seemed a player who was raw, I think you’ll see more certainty in who he is, not necessarily ‘I need to show you, I need to show you,’ but no, I am comfortable in who I am, ow let me do what I do. I think that will be the difference with Jonathan Kuminga. I think it will be great for him and great for us.”

“I think now he’ll be able to showcase you not only his gifts but his understanding… I think you’ll see more certainty in who he is.”

Draymond on what he thinks we’ll see from Kuminga this season 👏 pic.twitter.com/vsFCajWNy6

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 4, 2023

Kuminga finds himself in good company surrounded by obvious winners and potential mentors who only want to ensure the best of the team. The 7th overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft, Kuminga seems to already have won the confidence of his teammates and will be itching to have a bonafide breakthrough season.

Chris Paul also had high praise for JK

Apart from Draymond Green, Chris Paul has also had some choice words for JK. Talking about his hooping ability, Paul claimed that JK can hoop and that he is focused on not just helping the youngster, but the entire team.

Chris Paul has some obvious skills that can prove to be crucial for Kuminga’s offensive game. The big man is an interior threat and averaged 9.9 points per game despite only starting 16 times last season.

“I think now he’ll be able to showcase you not only his gifts but his understanding… I think you’ll see more certainty in who he is.”

“JK can hoop, man.” pic.twitter.com/l9ga2SYxFa

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 2, 2023

One of the best playmakers that the NBA has ever seen, Paul has a history of dishing out dimes for big men like Kuminga. Hence, while his defensive game is surely set for maturity, there might also be improvement in his offensive numbers for a number of reasons.