Golden State Warriors shooting guard Brandin Podziemski has moved to try and add more context to comments he made following the Timberwolves win.
Brandin Podziemski has had a difficult second season on the Golden State Warriors.
With Warriors fans desperate for a new generation of stars, there was some excitement after Brandin Podziemski’s rookie reason. He declared ambitions to play at an All-Star level, and was considered untradeable in the off-season.
This season has been tougher. Podziemski was called out publicly for poor play by coach Steve Kerr, and has been criticized by fans online.
A move for Dennis Schroder could help take some pressure off him, even if it reduces his minutes in the short-term.
It has been a tough week for the Warriors, after they recorded the fifth highest road loss in their history against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Podziemski played 20 minutes from the bench in the following game against the Timberwolves, putting up 12 points.
Hours after the 113-103 win, Podziemski posted an Instagram story talking about his admiration for teammate Steph Curry.
He wrote: “To clarify and for further context… Steph is Steph and I’ve been very open with my respect for him on and off the court. He’s a legend and a for a reason.
“On the court you have to be cautious against over thinking every possession. You have to trust your work, do what the coaches want you to do, and make a good IQ play.
“At times that’s a pass, taking shot, or even making a good screen to free up a teammate.
“So you just play and work to make good decisions consistently. A lot of times that will end up being passing the ball to a wide open Steph and/or teammate when the opportunity is there and just doing whatever it takes to help the team win.”
Brandin Podziemski was responding to his own interview after the game, which he felt had been wrongly clipped up on social media and taken out of context.
Podziemski said per NBC: “I don’t really think. I just play. When I’m out there and I’m open, I shoot it. If not, I make a play. I don’t really look too much into.
“I know we have Steph Curry on the court and if he’s open, I’m going throw the ball to him. I don’t really look too deep into those messages.”
Podziemski had feared his comments looked like he did not give proper consideration to Steph Curry and admiration for what he had achieved in the game.
NBC had labelled his answer as ‘odd’ and ‘puzzling’, especially in the context of Steve Kerr’s words.
Steve Kerr had said his specific instructions are to pass the ball to Curry, for the impact it has on opposing teams.
“That’s what we’re trying to impart on our young players.
“We have Steph Curry on our team. So, pass the ball. Move the ball. And if Steph gets off it early, because he’s gained an advantage, now the defense is scrambling.”
Podziemski’s comments came when he was asked about Kerr’s words, and his ‘I just play’ words sounded like he was either going against his coach, or not trusting Curry.
In reality, Podziemski is just trying to figure it all out. He wants to believe in his own ability, like any 21-year-old NBA star, and he wants to point out that he does not want to ‘over think’ a situation if he believes he is able to take a shot.
Clearly, he has been stung by some of the reaction to his initial comments, and felt the need to try and explain his response.
Related Posts
