Brandin Podziemski, the “spare tire” that doesn’t deflate

Against Wolves, he already knew that he was going to recover a few minutes, like lately. But from there to being the player most mobilized by Steve Kerr, playing 39 minutes, it was unexpected! But Brandin Podziemski was sent to the floor only moments after kickoff.

Klay Thompson had just been sent off, after a sequence marked by the strangulation of Rudy Gobert by Draymond Green, while Stephen Curry did not play. And the Warriors rookie showed that he was not afraid.

Put in confidence from the start by Chris Paul, who refused a layup to better serve him near the circle, the left-hander converted a first 3-point basket off the dribble, after a screen from Kevon Looney. Then he found Gary Payton, baseline, with a down pass. A “floater”, a “coast-to-coast” finished in the style of a Manu Ginobili, then a new prize-winning basket in transition later, and here is the rookie on fire.

The first to score 20 points behind Stephen Curry…

“ We don’t have any ‘ordinary’ rookies here. We have attentive rookies, who know what they are doing. Being on a team like this, this early in the season, playing important minutes in important games, can only be beneficial in the long run », Judge, like a good veteran, Chris Paul.

This is the first time that his young teammate was faced with money time, especially in such a tense match. Until now, apart from a more significant outing in a big victory against the Pelicans, the 19th choice of the Draft had to be content with a few rare sequences of play.

This night, Brandin Podziemski took advantage of the spotlight of this meeting to show that he deserved his place. More out of breath at the end of the match, he finished with 23 points, taking… 18 times his chance (9/18 on shots, including 3/8 from distance), without forgetting 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The man who had promised triple-doubles to his team became the first Warriors player this year, outside of Stephen Curry, to exceed the 20 point mark. He was joined during the evening by Dario Saric (21 points).

“ The nature of the match demanded it. Chris and I were the main scorers in the game. In some matches, I will only take one shot, in others, 18 like tonight, depending on how the match went. It’s all about taking the right shots “, sums up the rookie after the match.

Steve Kerr’s Promise

Asked how he sees his role at the Warriors, the 20-year-old compares himself to… a “ spare wheel. Whenever something goes wrong with the wheel, I take care of it. I have to do everything the coach asks me. I’m not going to say that I have a specific role. Whether I start, come off the bench and don’t play at all, I’ll be ready for all three. »

According to Steve Kerr, the third scenario now seems to be ruled out. Seduced by his qualities as a rebounder, the Warriors coach promises to make him play “ every evening. He deserved it. He was incredible tonight. He’s great in training. […] He’s always in the right place. He fears nothing. He has a sense of the game. He plays the way we want to play. The ball moves when it is on the field. He attacks, he cuts at the right time. Defensively, he is really good. »

The technician adds: “ He’s a damn good player, so he’s going to play. » While this match brought back memories of Santa Clara, the university with which he averaged 20 points last year, Brandin Podziemski appreciates his coach’s comments: “ Being a confident person, that’s what we work for. I’m happy to contribute for the team in any way I can, whether it’s in the rotation or not, I’m going to stay the same. »

How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.