Steve Kerr Highlights Young Player’s Impact During Steph Curry’s Injury
Brandin Podziemski has taken on a larger role for the Golden State Warriors while Stephen Curry recovers. Curry is sidelined with a runner’s knee in his right leg. The 23-year-old guard has been thrust into more minutes during this stretch.
Coach’s view
Head coach Steve Kerr praised Podziemski’s growth. Kerr said the young player has shown he can contribute to winning games.
Kerr noted Podziemski is still finding his best role. He favors playing off the ball or as a secondary ball-handler. Kerr also warned that extended on-ball duties can expose mistakes.
Performance highs and lows
Podziemski recorded back-to-back 15-rebound double-doubles on Feb. 22 and Feb. 24. The first came in a victory over the Denver Nuggets. The second occurred in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
He posted three 25-plus point games in March. He has not reached a 30-point game yet. In a recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks, he logged 24 minutes with five points, one assist, three turnovers, and a 2-6 field goal line.
Season totals and durability
This season Podziemski has appeared in all 71 games. He started 32 of them. He is averaging career highs of 12.8 points and 28.1 minutes per game.
Team context
Health issues have been a major theme for the Warriors this year. Stephen Curry has missed 21 straight games while dealing with his knee injury. The team has a 6-15 record without him.
Golden State sits at 33-38 and occupies the final Play-In spot. The club has also lost Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending ACL surgery since mid-January.
Outlook
Podziemski’s confidence has grown during Curry’s absence. He told Filmogaz.com he believes he can handle the opportunity. Development will remain a work in progress for the third-year guard.
Steve Kerr has frequently highlighted the young player’s impact amid Steph Curry’s injury. The comments underline both potential and areas for improvement.
Report by Toran Flores. He is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Flores has covered the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports for outlets including FanSided, Athlon Sports, The Sporting News, and Lakers All Day Everyday.
