BREAKING — Draymond Green Fires Back on Jonathan Kuminga Bench Controversy: “There’s No Scapegoat Here!”
Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green isn’t holding back. As the team navigates a turbulent 7–6 start on a six-game road trip, Green went straight to the point on his podcast regarding Jonathan Kuminga’s recent benching — and the message is clear: stop overreacting.
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the four-time NBA champion addressed the criticism head-on, saying Kuminga, 23, has been performing at a high level and that the move out of the starting lineup shouldn’t be blown out of proportion.
“I think JK has been playing really well, so to go out of the starting lineup it kind of sucks,” Green admitted. “But I think also people make starting and coming off the bench sometimes more than what it really is. If you’re going to play similar minutes and have an increased role in the offense, then you have to decide what puts you in the better position to succeed.”
Green also shot down claims that Kuminga was being unfairly blamed for the Warriors’ slow start. “I know because everyone loves a good drama, everybody is saying he’s being the scapegoat,” Green said. “There is no scapegoat. We’re 13 games in. In game 12, if you know what it takes to win a championship, there’s no scapegoat. Also, when you’re champions, there is no scapegoat anyway.”
Kuminga has been one of Golden State’s most dynamic young players this season, averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 47.8% from the field and 32.4% from three-point range in 27.7 minutes per game. Although he started 12 of 13 contests, his minutes were drastically reduced to 12 in Wednesday’s 125–120 win over San Antonio, going scoreless on one shot attempt while grabbing four rebounds before leaving with an injury. The Warriors later confirmed that Kuminga will miss Friday’s rematch due to bilateral knee patellar tendonitis, putting further pressure on a rotation already adjusting to early-season lineup shifts.
Green, meanwhile, had a rough shooting night Wednesday, finishing with six points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal while shooting 1-for-10 from the field and 0-for-7 from three-point range in 27 minutes. Yet his message underscores why he remains one of the league’s most respected voices — focusing on composure and perspective over hype and drama. Through 12 games, the 35-year-old is averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 41.6% from the field and 38% from deep.
As Golden State prepares for Friday night’s rematch with the Spurs, Green’s words reflect veteran leadership in its purest form: championship teams don’t panic over short-term noise, young players aren’t scapegoats, and success is about vision, patience, and collective accountability.
In short: don’t sleep on Kuminga, don’t overanalyze the benching, and definitely don’t underestimate the Warriors’ championship mindset — Draymond Green isn’t letting anyone forget it.
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