Warriors’ Buddy Hield Drops High Praise For Young “All-World” Talent

Jonathan Kuminga earned significant praise for his performance during the Golden State Warriors‘ 119-109 opening-night victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 23-year-old forward shone in a two-way role for Steve Kerr’s team. He provided stern defense against Luka Doncic, allowing the Warriors to play him straight up, rather than sending help. And, Kuminga was also electric when getting downhill or operating in transition.

When speaking to the media after the game, veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield named Kuminga among the best transition players in the world.

“JK is one of those guys that he’s probably one of the best in the world,” Hield said. “Other than LeBron, Anthony Edwards is one of the best all-world in transition, especially with the ball going downhill. This summer, I think he initiated just making reads, and he had this group that he has with him. And I watch his Instagram all the time, and he’s making reads and translated practice, and he had a great training camp and great preseason. I just want (his work) to keep translating, and he’s been working with Jimmy, and Jimmy’s been helping him.”

“JK, is one of those guys that is probably one of the best in the world, other than LeBron, Anthony Edwards, he’s one of the best all worlds in transition, especially with the ball and going downhill.”

Buddy Hield on Jonathan Kuminga and JK’s relationship with Jimmy Butler.

Kuminga ended the night with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists on 54.5% shooting from the field, with four of those makes coming from deep.

Jimmy Butler Aims To Help Kuminga Become Great

After the game, Jimmy Butler spoke to the media and expressed his desire to help Kuminga achieve his full potential.

“I just wanna help JK be great,” Butler said. “I mean, he’s got so much raw talent, and he’s so aggressive. He’s athletic, he’s super smart, and I’m trying to teach him a little bit of what I see throughout the game. I’ve been kicking it with him, hanging out, watching film, and just working on our game together after practice and before practice. I know how great he wants to be and how great he can be.”

“I just wanna help JK be great… We’ve been kickin it. Hanging out. Watching film and just working on our game together. I know how great he wants to be and how great he can be.”

Jimmy Butler III on mentoring Jonathan Kuminga 💯

Kuminga and Butler have performed well when sharing the floor together. If Kuminga can continue knocking down his perimeter shots at a reliable clip, then his partnership with the veteran forward could become a key cog within Golden State’s rotation throughout the upcoming season.

Draymond Green Praises Kuminga’s Defense

During his own postgame news conference, Draymond Green detailed the importance of Kuminga’s defensive production against Doncic. Green explained how the star forward’s high-scoring night isn’t indicative of the good work Kuminga produced.

“He was guarding Luka all night,” Green said. “And you know Luka—well, he finished with 39, 40, something like that. But it was like we didn’t have to commit two guys. You know, so you get 43, which I always tell these guys: you’re not stopping a great scorer. And that’s just not the way this league is set up for you to stop great scorers. But you do make a tough one. And I think all night he lived with the results. And over the course of 48 minutes, you just want to wear him down. You know, I think JK was all over him.”

Kuminga has all the tools to become a high-level two-way forward in the NBA. Kerr and the Warriors coaching staff will undoubtedly be eager to ensure he continues to produce at a high level on that side of the floor, especially when facing elite forwards.

Detroit Lions Get Uplifting News Ahead of Week 9

The Detroit Lions already have reason to celebrate, a little bit, heading into their Week 9 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Detroit Lions are on a much-deserved bye week, and they’d be wise to use the time to rest and reflect on their promising start to the season. The week off will also give the team’s injured secondary time to rejuvenate, even though the Lions were still able to pull off a strong and definitive win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, October 19, 24-9, despite the injured secondary.

Even though the Lions have a week off, it’s not too early to start thinking about their next opponent, the Minnesota Vikings. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Viks, and the team is heading into their Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers with a 3-3 record. One of the biggest issues for the Vikings this season has been their quarterback position. After drafting Michigan product J.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL draft, McCarthy had to sit out the entire 2024-25 season due to injury. He returned this season but was injured again relatively quickly, so the team has been relying on Carson Wentz.

So, what are the chances McCarthy will be healthy enough to play against the Lions? The answer to that question will help determine the result of that game.

J.J. McCarthy’s Status Going Into Detroit Lions Game

According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell commented on Tuesday, October 21, that McCarthy, who’s dealing with an ankle injury, was put through an on-field workout but it’s there yet. So, he’s not expected to play in the team’s Thursday, October 23, game against the Los Angeles Chargers for Week 8.

But, O’Connell commented that if the Vikings were playing on Sunday instead of Thursday, McCarthy may be healthy enough to play, implying that he would be ready to go for the Week 9 game against the Detroit Lions.

So, is it good or bad news that McCarthy might be available to take on the Lions? Colby Colwell of Detroit Jock City thinks it’s good news. According to the NFL expert and analyst, it’s not just good news, it’s “great news,” based on McCarthy’s early showing on the field.

“For starters, McCarthy has two TDs, three interceptions, and a dismal 58.5% completion rate through two NFL appearances, so that has to give the Lions some confidence already,” he notes in the Wednesday, October 22 piece. “Detroit was missing four starters in the defensive backfield on Monday night and still held the Buccaneers offense to 58 total yards in the first half, and got some key contributions from players like cornerback Arthur Maulet, who had a breakout performance in the win with an interception.”

Carson Wentz vs. J.J. McCarthy to Take on the Detroit Lions

Wentz hasn’t had the most stellar season, though. According to the statistics from ESPN and Pro Football Reference, he’s clocked five touchdown and four interceptions with a completion percentage of 66.9% and passing yards of 1,072.

So, it’s a mixed bag when it comes to which quarterback will be better to take on the Lions. The most important matter, really, is that the Lions’ defense and secondary gets healthier, and then they’ll be unstoppable no matter who they’re up against.

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