How Steph’s Olympic performance ‘inspired’ Kuminga entering crucial season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The upcoming 2024-25 NBA season is a big one for Jonathan Kuminga. This is his fourth year with the Warriors, who will soon have to make a decision on whether to extend their 2021 first-round pick.
With less than two weeks to go before training camp, Kuminga highlighted how Steph Curry’s incredible performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics has inspired him as he embarks on a crucial campaign.
“If you see one of the oldest players in the NBA — on your team — still at this level, you might as well be inspired,” Kuminga told Tim Kawakami about Audacy’s “TK Show”. “You have to be inspired, follow in his footsteps and watch him. And I was inspired to be great. It inspired the whole team to help him, and I think that’s the goal this year, for sure.”
Golden State clearly wants to make the most of the 36-year-old’s remaining years as an elite NBA player, especially Kuminga.
“I always enjoy watching him, spending time with him on the field and being around him,” Kuminga said. “To see him do what he does at his age is incredible.”
Perhaps that extra inspiration will benefit Kuminga as he looks to continue his development in the NBA; after all, he’s supposed to be one of the Warriors’ foundational players as the team enters its next post-Curry era.
Kuminga told Kawakami he feels like a “complete player” as he looks to settle into a wing role for the Warriors. The versatile 21-year-old detailed his increased confidence as a 3-point shooter.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out there and showing people what I’ve been working on,” Kuminga said. “I’ve always had a habit of working on things and getting better. And I feel like I’ve gotten a lot better shooting three-pointers.”“
Warriors training camp begins Oct. 1 in Hawaii, when Kuminga will finally get a chance to showcase his offseason improvements.
