Brandin Podziemski had a tough outing as the Golden State Warriors fell to their fourth defeat in five games against the Detroit Pistons, 115-101. Podziemski has been carrying a heavier workload in recent weeks due to the injuries Golden State has been dealing with. However, that heavier load has also showcased some of Podziemski’s biggest skills and his largest areas that need improvement.
During a recent news conference, Steve Kerr discussed Podziemski’s current role and how he’s trying to balance his immediate impact with his development into a well-rounded player for the future, specifically as a go-to option on the offensive end.
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“It’s a great experience for Brandon,” Kerr said. “I mean, 20 games without Steph. I think where he is in his career, he’s proven he can help drive winning. I think that’s been apparent during his, is this his third year? Yeah, third. Yeah. It’s been apparent. He does a lot of things that can help drive winning. He is, in my mind, really exploring how good he can become and what type of player he wants to become. And I think you’ve seen lots of hiccups along the way. He’s trying things that aren’t working, but playing without Steph for 20 games is going to expose some of that.”
Kerr continued.
“Right now, where he is, if he’s playing off Steph, off of the ball, If he’s playing more of a secondary ball handler role, he’s really good. He does a lot of things that other players don’t do. He’s got a knack. When he tries to be too on ball, you see him get into some trouble. The warts are all part of being a young player. And then I think for him, he has to sort through all of that and the idea of what it means to be on a team. Explore this stuff, explore your own game while also trying to help the team win. That’s a complex thing. And so this is a very interesting time for him, for sure.”
Podziemski has played in all 20 games without Curry, averaging 15 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 50.2% from the field and 33.1% from deep. He’s certainly learning what it takes to be among the primary options in the NBA and is working through the hurdles that come with such a difficult role.
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Nevertheless, the additional exposure can only be a good thing for his long-term development, and also for the franchise, as they get a glimpse of what the future could look like with Podziemski as a key part of future rosters.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors’ Steve Kerr gives honest assessment of Brandin Podziemski
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