“As far as the demand, I’m aware of that,” Golden State Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. told reporters on Jan. 20. “In terms of demands, when you make a demand, there needs to be demand.”
Two weeks later, the Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis. Since then, Kuminga has averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Though there was some discourse dedicated to his unselfish team debut, in which he recorded four assists, he’s largely played the way he has for quite some time. As a result, there’s already a vocal throng of Dubs fans that are decrying the team’s decision to trade Kuminga and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr’s treatment of him.
Perhaps if Porzingis was spreading his heron wings in The Bay, Kuminga rising from the ashes with the Hawks wouldn’t be such a spectacle. Yet, Porzingis has only played one game for Golden State since they acquired him.
Is Mike Dunleavy Jr. The Right Front Office Leader For The Warriors?
In a lengthy interview about the future of the Warriors’ franchise, Dunleavy spoke with The San Francisco Standard’s Tim Kawakami’s about myriad topics, including Kuminga’s progress in Atlanta:
“I haven’t watched anything yet.” Dunleavy says. “We’ve been really busy…”
“I think with JK all along, I mean, the talent is there. This guy is a good basketball player when he plays the right way, when he does the right things. We wish him the best. I think he could do really well. … He’s a talented player and for many stretches across his career here with the Warriors, he had some big games, some big moments, and some great stretches. We know he’s capable of that.”
The irony of Dunleavy’s comments is that they reveal the real issue with Kuminga in Golden State.
Just consider the third sentence of the above quote.
How does a guy who hasn’t watched Kuminga since the trade know that Kuminga’s been ‘a good basketball player’ with the Hawks playing the way the Warriors think he should?
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has literally reminded him that “it’s okay to shoot.” With that being said, unlike his former Warriors teammates, the Hawks players have implored Kuminga to be himself. It’s to the point where those opposed to Kuminga receiving praise have pointed out that he isn’t playing any different than previously.
In other words, Atlanta appreciates and respects Kuminga’s natural abilities and inclinations more than Golden State did. While they have a way they want to play, the Hawks don’t try to stifle their players either.
Is He A King Or A Jester?
Perhaps the Warriors brass feels their 21st century success makes them the golden standard. Yet, it’s been almost a decade since they were a dynasty. At this point, it’s time for them to get off their high horse. If not, they risk being bucked off.
Hearing Dunleavy take shots at players that never tried to tarnish his reputation was already bad enough. That kind of repugnant behavior, which is also rooted in arrogance, is better served for jesters than kings. His being blinded by hubris makes it hard to believe he’s truly suited to be the organization’s leader moving forward.
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