To argue that Jonathan Kuminga turned the page with the Hawks the other night would be understating the obvious. After months of frustration and uncertainty with the Warriors, the fifth-year forward finally looks like the player many have pegged as a future star. In 24-1/2 minutes off the bench, Kuminga poured in 27 points on nine-of-12 shooting, added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and, most importantly, competed with excitement. No doubt he was happy about his release.
There is, to be sure, a simple narrative: new place, new power, immediate impact. That said, a closer look reveals the potential for a deeper arc of redemption and rediscovery. With the Wizards in full tank mode and the Hawks fielding a light frontcourt frame, Kuminga’s efforts have come against soft, often non-existent defense. Still, the efficiency and brilliance of his transition finishing, connecting from deep, and street passes were no slouch. Not only did he score; he took the lead. He wanted the statement to work, and he gave it.
That Kuminga ko Klebe’s debut is accompanied by a very low profile is inevitable. With the Warriors, he was part of a competitive streak and had a front row seat to the highest ceiling. He also saw his role diminish, his minutes change, and his confidence drop. Critics wondered if he ever conformed to the royal tradition of the time. Supporters argued that he was raw, flawed, and hungry for the scope he needed to make mistakes or grow. For whatever mixed reasons, the wasted energy followed him out of the Bay Area.
However, with the Hawks, Kuminga, if nothing else, was in control. There was joy in his play beyond the point of the box: Head coach Quin Snyder’s choice to alternately trust him with meaningful minutes, especially after Jalen Johnson’s early exit with a hip injury, happily opened the door for him. And he definitely made the most of the opportunity he was given; from the get-go, he showed his ability to be an important part of winning basketball.
Still, the broader question remains: Can he continue to produce impactful numbers? Of course, one great outing doesn’t erase half a season of ambiguity. The Hawks sit in a dangerous spot in the Eastern Conference, and the defense will target them. But the promise of a frontcourt scorer who rebounds, creates, defends, and, most importantly, plays with joy could change their trajectory. And, in this sense, Kuminga not only proves the doubters wrong; you seize the moment and let future judgments fall where they may.
Pro hoops activities are never consistent. They are complex stories that revolve around trades, injuries, minutes, and moments of self-belief. For Kuminga, the change of uniform may yet illuminate his desired place in history. And if his launch is anything to go by, he seems destined for success.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, business communication, and business development.
