Pacific Notes: Kuminga, Gillespie, Sole, Lakers

Prior to Monday’s game against Indiana, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters Jonathan Kuminga‘s recent shot selection and decision making had been “poor” and that he had spoken to both Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski about making better decisions, which Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN relays.

Kuminga responded with one of his best games of the season off the bench. In just under 30 minutes of action, he had 26 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while turning the ball over only once.

“This is the JK we want,” Kerr said after the game, per Youngmisuk. “Spent a lot of time in the paint, took care of the ball. Had a couple of really nice passes. Found Buddy (Held) for three on a beautiful play and really attacked. So this is a good example of how JK should play. I’m really proud of him for coming out and playing like that. … He’s getting better and it’s fun to watch his development.”

Kuminga started six straight games earlier this month but has come off the bench in the past three. Kerr has suggested the change isn’t necessarily permanent, but noted last week that the club is setting a better defensive tone with Draymond Green starting next to a center. Kuminga, whose role has fluctuated frequently since entering the league in 2021, said he has gotten used to the unpredictability and doesn’t let it bother him.

“Where I come from, you always have to be mentally tough,” said Kuminga. “A lot of people who play … if they were in my shoes, they’d quit basketball. They’re going to need a therapist. They’re going to go through a lot of mental situations. But that stuff doesn’t affect me. As long as I walk out here every day and just playing, being with my teammates, (they) keep encouraging me to be who I am every day.”

We have more from the Pacific:

• Sun two way guard Collin Gillespiewho was diagnosed last month with a fractured right ankle, hopes to be able to return to action shortly after the G League regular season begins next week, according to Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. “I haven’t really talked to the coaches about it, but I’m sure that will be the plan to make sure I tick all the boxes here, individual training,” Gillespie said. “Play 2-on-2, 3-on-3 and just build it up until I’m ready to go 5-on-5. Then I’m sure when they come back from break (between the winter show and the regular season), they’ll have some home games that I can play. Hopefully get some reps there.” The Valley Suns, Phoenix’s NBAGL affiliate, play their first regular season game next Monday.
• A year ago at this time Sun had a 14-14 record. This year, despite an 8-1 start, they are 14-14 again. Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports examines why the team is plagued by the same problems as last season and considers whether these problems can be solved.
• The Lakers‘ offense ranks 29th in the NBA over the past four weeks and head coach JJ Redick believe that the team’s shot selection is a big part of the reason that as Khobi Price of The Southern California News Group writes. “Over the last 13 (games), we’re taking five more non-paint twos — we’re shooting 39% on them,” Redick said. “… Those five extra twos without the paint, if we shot them at the same rate as Phoenix — who shoot 49% on twos without the paint — our offense would go from 29th to 27th. … If we took those five middies, and we shot the league average in threes, our offense would go from 27th to 12th. In some ways, we need to shoot more threes. That doesn’t mean we’re going to come down and just, none pass, a dribble. We have to generate the right ones and we have to do it with the right process.”