SAN FRANCISCO – Brandin Poziemski has been one of the most promising rookie players in a long time for the Warriors throughout the 2023-24 NBA season. The 21-year-old guard is the first Warriors player to be named to the All-Rookie First Team since Eric Paschall in 2019-20 and just the fourth since Stephen Curry earned the honor as a rookie 14 years ago.
The Warriors’ blowout loss to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA play-in tournament was a sore point for Podziemski, but it only intensified his hunger as he had many goals throughout the offseason, all of which boiled down to one: taking his game to the next level.
Podziemski’s NBA debut a year ago in Summer League saw mixed results, and his immediate impact on the pro game wasn’t immediately apparent at the California Classic or in Las Vegas, and his shooting didn’t immediately catch fire, shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range in Santa Clara.
A year later, Podziemski realizes the mindset of showing Steve Kerr and the front office that he could fit into the Warriors’ system may have been a bit too much. After a hugely successful rookie season, he looks at his second consecutive summer league with different eyes.
“I think this year is just about how I can maximize my touches, how I can play efficiently and make the guys around me better,” Podziemski said Monday at Chase Center.
As a rookie, Poziemski led the NBA in charges (38) and led the Warriors in rebounds (427) and plus-minus (plus-264). He was second to Chris Paul in steals, fourth in assists behind Paul, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and fourth in 3-pointers made, behind the Curry-Klay Thompson backcourt last season. Andrew Wiggins made 91 3-pointers, one more than Poziemski’s 90.
To take your game to the next level, start with the basic beginner skill of picking up the ball on the ground floor.
“Score more balls,” Podziemski said without hesitation.
“Everybody knows how I rebound and play hard. Passing is natural for me,” he added. “So I’m just focused on scoring the ball and shooting more. Steve has been really emphasizing that, trying to take as many three-pointers as possible.”
There is also a strong emphasis on defending the point of attack.
With no player available to replace franchise icon Klay Thompson, who left for the Dallas Mavericks in free agency, Podziemski could be a prime candidate.
The first time Kerr replaced Thompson in the Warriors’ starting lineup, he didn’t use a veteran, but a rookie with 46 NBA games, 13 starts. From that point on, including Thompson’s first game off the bench, Podziemski averaged 8.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from the 3-point line. He averaged three 3-pointers in that span.
Curry averaged 11.8 3-pointers per game last season, while Thompson averaged nine.
Nearly half of Podziemski’s points as a rookie came within 10 feet of the basket. He displayed strength beyond his size in all parts of the game, combining a knack for floaters with the ability to attack the rim. Now, in Podziemski’s second year as a pro, the Warriors need him to get closer to the offensive production he displayed when he was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year at Santa Clara, knocking down nearly six 3-pointers per game.
“Who’s going to be in a position to take seven to 10 shots a game?” Podziemski wondered. “Three is worth more than two, but it’s also [Jonathan Kuminga] and [Andrew Wiggins] And it helps them a lot too.”
Podziemski has been working out at Chase Center since May 1, two weeks after the Warriors’ season ended. During several visits to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area, he worked out twice a day with Travis Diener, who played five seasons in the NBA. Wherever Podziemski is on the court, he has been working out every shooting scenario thoroughly: off screens, ball screens, off dribbles, dribble handoffs, catch-and-shoots.
Consider the footwork movement, something Podziemski has been working on for the past two months.
“For him, it’s just a testament to all the hard work he’s put in,” Warriors summer league head coach Anthony Vereen said. “He’s a great shooter. We trust him and he’s confident he can shoot the ball. Hopefully you’ll see that as summer league goes on.”
Chase Center will be Podziemski’s primary work location over the next few days as a member of the Warriors’ summer league team. In mid-June, Kerr approached Podziemski about the opportunity to be part of the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team for 2024. On June 28, it was announced that Podziemski and Warriors teammate Trayce Jackson-Davis had been selected as one of 15 players to practice with Kerr and the USA team from June 6-9.
Curry, Kerr and Team USA will face Team Canada in an exhibition game on June 10. Podziemski, Jackson-Davis and the Warriors’ summer league squad will face the Kings in the California Classic at Chase Center. Both players are scheduled to play in all four games in Las Vegas.
Curry may be Podziemski’s newest starting backcourt member, but what Podziemski is most looking forward to is competing against Curry in U.S. national team practices alongside Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton.
“What guards they have,” Podziemski said, “I think those are the main four guys I’m excited to play against. But really [Kevin Durant], [LeBron James] And how they all spend their day.”
The ever-confident left-hander will be facing a team that has already been compared to the Dream Team or worse. His competitive spirit shone brightest in his debut NBA season. He’s also the rookie who has been a spectator, observer and learner throughout Curry’s famous pregame workouts.
His coaches and teammates laugh at his rudeness, but he’s admired as an enthusiastic and resourceful guy.
“I see this as a stepping stone,” Podziemski said of the U.S. National Team. “Some of the players who played on the 2020 National Team, like Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, are on the 2024 Olympic Team. I’d like to have that same experience and play on the ’28 Olympic Team.”
All that is now behind him from an impressive and encouraging rookie season, and with the ball in his hands, Podziemski will be a mainstay in the summer league as he helps prepare one of the sport’s powerhouses for the Summer Olympics in Paris.
The Warriors are building a whole new show and Podziemski could be thrust into the spotlight, barring a trade. As he made clear, it’s all about getting to the next level.
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