Barring his lengthy recovery period after the 2019 Finals, for the first time since 2012, Klay Thompson will no longer be the Warriors' starting shooting guard. His departure to the Mavericks marks a turning point, and Golden State management and Steve Kerr's staff have several options to replace him.
On the back line, the Warriors have thus recovered De'Anthony Melton then carried out a “sign-and-trade” to get their hands on Buddy Hieldwho also arrives from Philadelphia. The two former future teammates will be competing with Brandin Podziemskiwho has an ace up his sleeve: he is a creator.
“I definitely feel more comfortable with the ball and I know Steph feels comfortable without the ball,” explains Brandin Podziemski.“If we end up starting together, which is a possibility, that would be cool. But for me, it’s just about playing. Whether I start, whether I come off the bench, I just want to be there when the win is on the line. It’s definitely a possibility, but I definitely have to earn it. It’s not going to be easy.”
Score to start?
The competition will be tough for Brandin Podziemski who has already tasted the starting position, and who returned to the bench at the end of the regular season. Facing him, De'Anthony Melton is capable of shooting from afar (36% at 3-pointers) and defending, while Buddy Hield is simply one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in the NBA.
“We have recruited a lot of veterans”adds the rear. “So for me it's just about showing Steve (Kerr) and his staff that I deserve it and kind of go from there.”
To earn a spot in Steve Kerr's starting five, Brandin Podziemski will have to step up his scoring game, which will be the biggest job this summer. It was even one of the main topics of discussion with Steve Kerr and Mike Dunleavy Jr. at the end of last season.
“I'm just looking at different areas of the field where I can score a lot of shots, which I left out last year. There's going to be more of that this year, and I think that's something the team needs,” concludes Brandin Podziemski. “For me to achieve my goals, both collectively and individually, I have to think about scoring, I have to move up a gear.”
| Brandin Podziemski | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 | GOS | 74 | 27 | 45.4 | 38.5 | 63.3 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 9.2 |
| Total | 74 | 27 | 45.4 | 38.5 | 63.3 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 5.8 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 9.2 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
