The Golden State Warriors put a beatdown on the Chicago Bulls on Friday. Instead of Stephen Curry doing most of the damage, it was rookie forward Jonathan Kuminga. The seventh overall selection from the 2021 draft scored 25 points on 10-12 shooting. He added three assists and career-high three blocks to punctuate his tremendous performance.

After the win, Golde State head coach Steve Kerr praised Kuminga. He used All-Star Shawn Marion to make a reference point for how Kuminga can tap into his potential. Per Anthony Slater of The Athletic:

“The only thing we’ve been emphasizing is running the floor hard,” Kerr said. “Using his gifts, both ways. Every time, sprint the floor hard. When I was in Phoenix as a GM, we had Shawn Marion. One of the best athletes in the league. Every night, he’d just run the floor hard. He wasn’t the greatest 3-point shooter, wasn’t the greatest passer, wasn’t the greatest ballhandler. But he was an All-Star because he just played hard. By running the floor, all kinds of good stuff would happen.

“That’s the first step for JK. To understand his gifts are so unique athletically. They jump out even in an NBA game. Taking advantage of those gifts now allows him to build a foundation, then from there, his shooting will improve, understanding of the game will improve, overall skill level will improve. But what I liked about the last two nights is it’s the hardest I’ve seen him run the floor on consecutive nights.”

Kuminga's game is still very raw at the moment. He was tapped as a potentially dangerous scorer coming into the league but is not yet ready for such a role. With the Warriors, he can grow his game as he fulfills his role as an energetic glue guy.