Kerr’s lineup when Kuminga returns really isn’t that difficult

Kerr’s lineup decision when Kuminga returns really isn’t that difficult originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors training staff granted Steve Kerr a reprieve Thursday afternoon in Houston.

By informing the coach that it was best to give Jonathan Kuminga at least one more night off, he was able to postpone a decision that would likely displease the man who had shown star potential over the past two months.

After flourishing as a starter, Kuminga won’t be happy to hear the news. But the logical move is to send him back to the bench.

It’s actually the only move. Kerr seems to realize it’s best to continue riding in the group that has won five straight games without Kuminga – six in a row in total – the latest of which is a tip-to-buzzer 133-110 thrashing of the Houston Rockets .

“We put something here,” Kerr told reporters at Toyota Center. “When we play well, we generally keep the same starting lineup.”

That’s where Kerr is. That’s where the Warriors are. They clinched a spot in the NBA play-in tournament. They are locked in defense. They suddenly seem capable of threatening the powers that be in the Western Conference, including the three teams that take turns at the top.

Golden State’s job now is to keep chasing wins, keep trying to advance beyond their current play-in tournament status of 10th in the West, and keep tightening their lead for the remainder of the regular season.

That means the dynamic defensive partnership of veteran power forward Draymond Green and rookie center Trayce Jackson-Davis will remain in the starting lineup.

“Trayce and Draymond together changed our team,” Kerr said. “It’s quite dramatic. Just the rim protection and the rebounding that Trayce gives us, which Draymond makes possible. It was very nice to see them together. Trayce, for a newcomer it’s amazing what he’s doing.

The Warriors peak on defense, the prerequisite to being a serious NBA team. The most obvious source of improvement is that Green has found his personal defensive peak. He was great both on and off the ball. His communication was timely and essential. He has been better in recent games than ever this season.

The key to Green’s revival is the presence of Jackson-Davis. He is the lob threat that JaVale McGee once was, the rim protector that Andrew Bogut once was, a more athletic version of the familiar big man that Kevon Looney has been.

For good measure, TJD gave the Warriors 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in the win over Houston.

“It’s no secret: We’re a smaller team overall,” Stephen Curry said. “Early in the year, before Draymond missed some games, there was a lot of him at the 5 and even when he came back. It’s clear he’s capable of that. But from night to night it is helpful to have that presence [that Jackson-Davis provides].

“It’s the same thing Loon has been doing for us for so many years. Trayce has filled that role. It gives Draymond a little bit more freedom to be a pest, to provide help, to be able to attack the ball knowing there’s someone behind him.”

Golden State’s six-game winning streak is anchored by the league’s No. 4 defense, with a 104.1 rating. The average margin of victory was 13 points, while opponents averaged 100.8 points per game during that period.

Andrew Wiggins, who sprained his ankle in the third quarter on Thursday night, plays solid offensive defense. But the defense’s resurgence is rooted in the effective attacking duo of Green and Jackson-Davis.

“Trayce has done an incredible job of learning how to be aggressive, pick and choose his spots, protect the rim and just play good defense,” Curry said. “Then we try to fly around like that, and it even helps when Wiggs puts so much ball pressure on their primary scorer. The pieces fit.”

Even if the numbers back that up, it’s not exactly comfortable sending Kuminga back to the bench.

Since becoming a starter in late January, Kuminga is Golden State’s No. 2 goal scorer. His ability to effectively attack the rim in the half, get buckets or draw fouls – or both – is a dimension that no other Warrior consistently offers.

But it’s always risky to mess with any team, regardless of sport, when it’s playing better than ever in a season. And Kerr is not inclined to argue with that reasoning.

“I kept Steph and Draymond out of the starting lineup when they were in that situation,” Kerr said. “We’ll see how we play. We fooled a few guys. Wiggs clearly missed the entire fourth [quarter]so we’ll see tomorrow how healthy we are and determine our lineup.

“But my philosophy is always: if you play well, keep doing the same.”

Kuminga has already proven himself as a quality NBA starter. You hope he understands. Whether he returns Friday in Dallas or Sunday against Utah at Chase Center, he will get plenty of playing time.

But not as a starter. Not now. Not with the Warriors, without him, who peaked at just the right time in hopes of salvaging a very challenging season.

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