The Golden State Warriors have discovered a gem in guard Brandin Podziemski, who was recently selected an NBA Rising Star for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. With Klay Thompson out, Brandin Podziemski started alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in the Warriors’ crucial victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. He had a strong overall performance, finishing with 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, and three assists.
Podziemski has established himself as a staple in Steve Kerr’s rotation, thanks in large part to his ability to do the “dirty” things, such as hustling for loose balls, chasing rebounds, and being a bother on defense. The rookie is very confident in his talents, so much so that he calls himself a tiny version of Draymond Green.
After the 76ers game, a reporter asked Curry what he thought about Podziemski labeling himself a “mini-Draymond.” The two-time NBA MVP couldn’t believe what he heard and delivered a humorous and open response to his rookie’s audacious remark.
Stephen Curry couldn’t help but chuckle, but it’s encouraging to see the kid’s confidence. He does make a point with the way he scraps and is prepared to do all the dirty work, which is unusual for rookies like him.
Nonetheless, it’s simple to understand why Curry reacted as he did. Brandin Podziemski has a long way to go before becoming the guard version of Draymond Green. Green has established himself as an all-time defensive player and is a key member of the Warriors dynasty, which has won four championships in the last decade.
