Just last season, Brandin Podziemski looked poised to take over and be Klay Thompson’s successor with the Golden State Warriors.
Podziemski had an All-Rookie season and excelled as a starter or off the bench.
However, the 21-year-old has regressed this season, and head coach Steve Kerr put him on blast after some costly turnovers a couple of games ago.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean Kerr is not going to continue trusting him.
Following a lopsided loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors coach claimed he would continue to give Podziemski a lot of playing time.
“I don’t care whether his shot goes in … because of everything else he does. He’s gonna play a lot regardless,” Kerr said, via KNBR.
Steve Kerr says Brandin Podziemski will continue to see the floor a lot and is crucial to the Warriors success.
"I don't care whether his shot goes in… because of everything else he does. He's going to play a lot regardless." pic.twitter.com/Bfsmt0zXB6
— KNBR (@KNBR) December 7, 2024
Kerr lauded Podziemski not only for his shot-making but because of everything else that he brings to the table.
He can stretch the floor with his outside shot but also can create for others.
He can play on and off the ball at either guard spot, and he can hold his own on the defensive end of the floor.
Kerr has altered his lineups and rotations as he looks for a spark to get the team back to its winning ways from earlier in the season.
He sent Draymond Green to the bench and started Jonathan Kuminga, and he’s reportedly set to stick with that lineup.
That also means Podziemski will continue to get starter’s minutes, and it’ll be up to him to get past this second-year wall and return to being the player he was in his rookie season.
NEXT: Details Emerge About Why Draymond Green Is Being Benched