How Steph’s Olympic Show Inspired Kuminga to Enter a Big Season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The upcoming 2024-25 NBA season is a big one for Jonathan Kuminga. It’s his fourth year with the Warriors, who will soon have to make a decision on whether to extend their first-round draft pick from 2021.
With training camp less than two weeks away, Kuminga highlighted how Steph Curry’s incredible performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics has inspired him as he embarks on a defining campaign.
“When you see one of the oldest guys in the NBA — on your team — still performing at that level, you might as well be inspired,” Kuminga told Tim Kawakami of Audacy’s “The TK Show.” “You’ve got to be inspired, and you’ve got to follow in his footsteps, and you’ve got to watch him. And I was just inspired to be great. It inspired the whole team to help him, and I think that’s definitely the goal this year.”
Golden State clearly wants to make the most of the 36-year-old’s remaining years as a top player in the NBA, and Kuminga in particular.
“I always appreciate seeing him, spending time with him on the field and just being around him,” Kuminga explained. “It’s incredible to see him do the things he does at his age.”
Perhaps that extra inspiration will come in handy for Kuminga, who wants to continue to develop in the NBA. After all, he has to become one of the Warriors’ cornerstone players as the team enters a new era after Curry.
Kuminga told Kawakami he feels like a “complete player” as he looks to settle into a small forward role for the Warriors. The versatile 21-year-old specifically noted his increased confidence as a 3-point shooter.
“I can’t wait to get out there and show people what I’ve been working on,” Kuminga said. “It’s always been my thing to just work on certain things and get better. And I feel like I’ve gotten so much better at shooting three-pointers.“
The Warriors’ training camp begins on October 1 in Hawaii, where Kuminga will finally get the chance to show his off-season improvements.
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