Former NBA star Kendrick Perkins has made a strong comparison as one Golden State Warriors star faces getting frozen out.
Steve Kerr will be remembered as one of the great NBA coaches for his feats with the Golden State Warriors.
And in summer 2024, he added to his legacy by leading Team USA to win the gold medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Stephen Curry was key to his wins in both, although at the Olympics, it was Kerr’s omission of Jayson Tatum that was a constant storyline during their gold medal run.
Kerr claimed he did not enjoy not selecting Tatum, but had no regrets that Team USA were ultimately successful with the decisions he made.
Now one of his current decisions has been compared to his opinion-splitting choice to overlook Tatum when it mattered.
Jonathan Kuminga DNP in two must-win games
Steve Kerr chose not to play Jonathan Kuminga against the LA Clippers, and after the Warriors lost, he was expected to recall the star.
Then when the Warriors faced the Memphis Grizzlies in another must-win game, this time in the Play-In Tournament, Jonathan Kuminga was a DNP again.
The decision has become a real talking point, and on Sportscenter after the game, Kendrick Perkins called for Kerr to put his pride aside and recall Kuminga.
Speaking on the Road Trippin’ podcast, Perkins compared the situation to the Jayson Tatum scenario at the Olympics.
He blasted: “I just don’t get it. It’s the same s___ Steve Kerr pulled with Jayson Tatum, to a lesser degree.
“You go to a guy that you drafted in the lottery, and tell him ‘your not going to be playing’.
“You might need him, Draymond said it yesterday ‘we are going to need Kuminga in this series’.”
He added that it might not be easy for Kuminga to return at top form, but will be impressed with him if he does, and re-affirms his belief the Warriors will need him in the playoffs.
“Now your asking him to turn on the switch, and if he do turn on the switch, kudos to him.
“If Jonathan Kuminga doesn’t play in this Rockets series, the Rockets are going to beat Golden State.”
Response on Perkins claim
Former star Channing Frye offered his view, believing Jonathan Kuminga is not suited to Kerr’s basketball philosophy: “Jonathan Kuminga is a good player, he’s just not a player who fits into that system, and that’s a fact.”
But he did push back on the comparison to the Boston Celtics superstar: “I wouldn’t compare the Jayson Tatum situation to this one.”
Perkins added that he feels regardless, Kuminga is a player who should be playing for the Warriors in the playoffs.
“I believe you can get a lot more out of Jonathan Kuminga. I believe he is a value and not a liability.”
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