In today’s Dub Hub:
- According to a report by ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Jonathan Kuminga feels like the team’s “scapegoat” after being moved back to a bench role.
- Steve Kerr calls Heat coach Erik Spoelstra a “great choice” for Team USA Basketball.
- Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh says NBA stars are missing twice as many games now as they did in 2023-24.
The Golden State Warriors’ struggles during their recent six-game road trip have brought Jonathan Kuminga’s role back under the microscope.
After the team’s 4–1 start to the season — during which Kuminga took meaningful steps forward in his role — the Warriors went 2–5 over their next seven games, prompting Steve Kerr to make changes to the starting lineup. That included moving Kuminga back to the bench — a shift that, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, “reopened old wounds” and made Kuminga feel
like the “scapegoat” once again.
The Warriors lost five of their next seven. Kuminga’s turnovers spiked and performance dipped. Searching for rotation answers, Kerr demoted Kuminga back to a bench role, reopening old wounds.
“He feels like the scapegoat again,” one team source said.
The article goes on to detail how Jimmy Butler has taken a hands-on approach to keeping Kuminga locked in. Having been through a similar situation in his own career, Butler has brought Kuminga under his mentorship — hosting him for dinner after home games and making time for him again on the team’s most recent road trip.
“I realize that he listens to me,” Butler said. “He respects me. And I don’t ever take that for granted. But I’m always going to tell him the truth, too. And when JK doing some bulls—, I’m going to tell him we can’t have that, man.”
Butler didn’t shy away from the bigger picture either — wanting Kuminga to understand the pressure and responsibility that come with asking for a larger role.
“[That ambition for more] is hard for a lot of people,” Butler said. “It’s hard for teammates. It’s hard for fans. It’s hard for coaches. I definitely think he has the potential to be [a star].
“But with that, I think Draymond [Green] nailed it on the head. He said, ‘Hey, you asked for this.’ So all the talking that they talking — good, bad, indifferent — you can’t let this s— affect who you are. You can’t let this s— affect how you play.”
Kuminga’s feelings about his role with the team have been the only constant throughout his five years with the Warriors. With him ineligible to be traded until Jan. 15 of next year, how Kuminga processes this stretch may end up shaping his next chapter with the team.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, November 20th:
Warriors News:
Inside the Warriors’ quest to solve the Jonathan Kuminga puzzle | ESPN
“Guess what we can do when he’s coming off the bench?” Green said. “Feature him. That’s what he needs. But it takes some time. There’s been no practice. He’s got his knee. So let’s get healthy and we’ll put this together. It’s a long season. He’s going to help us win a f—ing ton of games.”
Butler is presented with that idea.
“I think with that though, he has to understand it doesn’t mean just score,” Butler said. “Because I don’t mind taking the back seat to him and letting him do his thing. And I’m down there in the dunker spot, I’m setting screens. I don’t mind. But you know what we better do?”
Limit turnovers?
“No,” Butler said. “We better f—ing win. That’s it. Whatever we want to do, I’m fine with it. It better be towards winning. Cause that’s all that I care about. I don’t care about nothing else.”
Despite loss, Warriors finish road trip on high note with team’s renewed camaraderie | The Athletic
“I can feel Steph and Jimmy on the sidelines,” Kerr said. “I felt their presence at the meeting today. Those two guys were giving advice. That’s really important for our guys to feel the support of their vets on a night like tonight, when those guys are out and the young guys are the ones out on the floor fighting.
“We’re a connected team, we’ve got a good vibe, a good group. We’ve got some improvement to make on the floor, and that’s the main thing.”
Steve Kerr says Erik Spoelstra was a ‘great choice’ to coach Team USA
NBA News:
Inside the Mavericks’ power struggle: Nico Harrison vs. Mark Cuban | ESPN
Discussions with more than a dozen sources inside the organization reveal that two of the franchise’s most powerful men, Cuban and Harrison, were vying for influence and the ear of the new, inexperienced owner Dumont: one man determined to prove his basketball acumen after finally being given freedom to run a team, the other desperate to get back in the game.
On the morning of Nov. 11, that simmering power struggle finally bubbled to a boil — and everyone was burned.
Said one team source: “Mark’s been trying a palace coup for months.”
NBA star players are missing twice as many games as they did in 2023-24, per Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Report: De’Anthony Melton to be re-evaluated in 10 days
Per the Golden State Warriors, De’Anthony Melton, who underwent surgery last December of 2024 due to a torn left ACL, “continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation.” Furthermore, Melton’s workouts have intensified while participating in scrimmages and practices with G League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors and will be integrated with the main team’s scrimmages and practices in the coming days.
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
