Steve Kerr’s remarks on coaching style raise questions about his treatment of Jonathan Kuminga

Steve Kerr opens up on coaching youngsters

Kuminga came into the league as an 18-year-old, who was raw and athletic with a lot of talent.

The Dubs took their chance with him and picked him seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

He has certainly played his part for the Warriors since and stepped up whenever they needed him.

However, he has never been a lock in the rotation for Kerr when everyone is available.

Shannon Sharpe recently called out Kerr and blamed him for the Kuminga situation.

Now Kerr has never really explained his reasoning for lack of faith in Kuminga. But he recently appeared on The Glue Guys podcast to explain his coaching style and that will explain a few things about what has happened with the 22-year-old.

He said: “We don’t practice anymore. So we have to develop these 19-year-old kids who are coming into the league without much practice time, that has meant an entirely revamped kind of developmental programme and frankly, I’m not great, I’m an older coach.

“I am a disciple of Phil [Jackson] and Pop [Gregg Popovich], so I lean on the young guys to really install great development drills, decision-making stuff, things I never did or knew how to teach.”

Kuminga needs an arm around the shoulder

Kuminga is one of the most confident young players in the league and multiple sources close to the team have expressed that in recent months.

He trusts his ability and that is why Kuminga is even willing to take the Qualifying offer that will help him enter unrestricted free agency next season.

On the Warriors, however, he is playing with three seasoned veterans, who command the ball for the majority of the game.

Kuminga will not have the opportunities he wants to showcase his game, but all three veterans are approaching the business end of their careers and the Congolese national could take over the reins from them.

But Kerr will have to step in and demonstrate some man management skills with Kuminga.

He will have to show faith in him and give the 22-year-old some chances if things work out during negotiations.

Currently, it looks like Kuminga does not want to be on the Warriors, but nowhere else will he get an array of talent to learn from.

But the player will also need to know that his coach wants him and that is something only Kerr can take care of by talking to Kuminga.