by How Draymond motivated JK to get better during Dub’s workout originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Draymond Green is a master at getting the best out of his teammates – just ask 20-year-old Jonathan Kuminga.
In an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Kuminga discussed Draymond challenging him to be the best version of himself night in and night out.
“I really appreciate that because Draymond is not the type of person who will support you as much as he should if you haven’t really shown what you stand for,” Kuminga told Charania. “Draymond is always competing.”
The sophomore forward also explained that when he was a rookie, he had to prove to Green what he was capable of on the field to gain the veteran’s respect. Instead of letting himself get discouraged, Kuminga used that as fuel on his journey to become the best player he can be.
“Looking back on that, I was like, ‘One day I’m just going to prove that I worked every day to get better by just becoming the person they really want me to be,'” Kuminga continued. .
Kuminga added that trying to get to the level Golden State veterans envision the youngster will be in the future is his motivation to be great.
In the Warriors’ 129-117 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday at Chase Center, Kuminga certainly showed what he is capable of.
Not only did the 20-year-old attack the rim, but he also drained three-pointers and hit four in the closing moments of the third quarter to give the Warriors a much-needed swing of momentum heading into the fourth quarter.
With 31.9 percent from 3-point range after his long-range blowout against the Raptors—up from 28.8 percent—Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson all praised Kuminga for stepping up when it mattered.
“I told him this is a big momentum swing, not just the threes, but the energy on the other side to put up a good defensive front and lead the game on both sides,” said Curry. “But those 3’s were huge and gave us a lot of life in the fourth.”
Thompson said once Kuminga masters his jump shot he will be “dangerous”.
“But to get on the hot streak that he did was very impressive and for that guy the sky is the limit to his talent,” Thompson told reporters.
RELATED: Steph, Klay Praises JK’s Momentum-Shifting 3-Pointers vs. Raptors
With Kerr, Curry, Thompson and Green all scoring highly on Kuminga’s ability to become a star, it’s up to Kuminga to work hard to get where he needs to be.
And if that were to happen, Kuminga can thank Green for his abrasive, yet effective, way of getting the best out of him.
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