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Brandin Podziemski is now experiencing what he reportedly desired.
However, he isn’t fully prepared for the challenge.
The 23-year-old has long aspired to a more central playmaking role, eager to demonstrate his capabilities as a primary creator and his potential to lead the next era of Warriors basketball. (opens in new tab) Steph Curry’s seven-week absence has provided him with this exact chance.
His performance during this period has been inconsistent, trending downwards lately.
The current road trip has proven challenging for the rookie guard. Through the first five games of this six-game stretch, he’s shot a mere 36% from the field and 23.1% from beyond the arc, accumulating almost as many turnovers (12) as assists (18).
These statistics illustrate the difficulties Podziemski has faced in a primary offensive role.
“This has been an invaluable learning experience for Brandin,” remarked head coach Steve Kerr on Saturday in Atlanta. “He’s played 20 games without Steph.”
Podziemski has certainly had some standout moments, such as back-to-back 15-rebound games in late February, including a win over Denver. Following a 25-point, 10-rebound effort versus the Timberwolves, I inquired about his self-discoveries during this “blessing in disguise” opportunity.
His reply was simple: “(That) I can succeed,” Podziemski stated.
While true, it hasn’t been consistently sufficient.
Given Podziemski’s background as the 19th overall pick and his relative lack of the physical attributes typically required for primary offensive options, it’s perhaps unfair to criticize him for not consistently shouldering the full burden of an offensive initiator. However, he set these expectations himself with his numerous public expressions of confidence.
This demanding role is typically reserved for All-Star-level players, a category Podziemski is currently far from reaching.
It’s important to note that Podziemski has been an effective player since his NBA debut, excelling at drawing charges, making astute passes, and rebounding remarkably well for a guard. This recent stretch was an opportunity for him to demonstrate a higher potential, moving beyond his already solid foundational skills.
However, during this period, his progress hasn’t been a rapid ascent. It’s more akin to intense effort on an elliptical trainer: significant exertion without substantial forward movement.
Podziemski’s recent outing, during Golden State’s significant loss to the Hawks, was among his least effective professional performances. In 24 minutes, he managed just five points on 2-for-6 shooting and committed three turnovers. Despite his team’s need for increased scoring, he struggled to even generate shot opportunities.
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His previous game in Detroit was similarly unimpressive. It’s noteworthy that both these difficult matchups were against formidable perimeter defenders like Ausar Thompson and Dyson Daniels.
Typically, Steph Curry would be tasked with facing such defenders.
Kerr’s statement about Podziemski’s valuable experience served as an introduction to a more substantial and complex quote. Let’s delve into it.
“At this stage of his career, he has clearly demonstrated his ability to contribute to winning,” Kerr explained. “He performs many actions that positively impact game outcomes. In my view, he’s actively discovering his potential and defining the player he aspires to be. We’ve witnessed numerous stumbles as he attempts new approaches that don’t always succeed, but playing 20 games without Steph inevitably highlights these aspects.”
This period has unequivocally revealed that Podziemski — for now — is best utilized as a secondary offensive threat rather than a primary one. His inconsistency as a creator and scorer doesn’t currently support him repeatedly initiating halfcourt offense.
To reiterate, this assessment doesn’t imply he’s a poor player; in fact, he boasts the highest cumulative plus-minus on the team since the start of his career.
These successful stretches typically occurred when Podziemski played alongside Curry or another primary playmaker, enabling him to operate off-ball. He excels when shooting spot-up threes, attacking closeouts after a catch, or initiating secondary actions where an offensive advantage is already present. He appears less at ease running high pick-and-rolls with multiple defenders focused on him, driving into congestion, or hesitating before making a decision (a consistent floater could significantly benefit him).
Crucially, he hasn’t been delivering the kind of decisive clutch plays he showcased at Madison Square Garden.
Since Curry’s injury, the observation that Podziemski struggles as a primary ball-handler has been confirmed. During this period, Podziemski has averaged 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.9 turnovers per game, with shooting splits of 42.1% from the field and 32% from three-point range.
His efficiency has sharply declined with the increased offensive load.
If the statistics aren’t convincing, here’s head coach Kerr’s perspective.
“From my perspective, Podziemski excels when he’s playing off-ball with Steph, or in a secondary ball-handling capacity,” the head coach remarked. “He possesses unique skills that many players lack, a natural feel for the game. However, when he tries to dominate the ball too much, his weaknesses become apparent, and he encounters difficulties.”
Prior to Curry’s absence, Podziemski’s pull-up three-point shooting percentage was comparable to his catch-and-shoot accuracy, suggesting he could handle a greater scoring role.
Currently, Podziemski is hitting 38.6% of his catch-and-shoot attempts but only 32.3% off the dribble. As his shot difficulty increased, his shooting percentages have noticeably widened.
A few summers ago, Joe Lacob expressed his belief that Podziemski possessed All-Star potential (opens in new tab). While Podziemski could still fulfill this prophecy, his recent performances without Curry cast doubt on such a high ceiling.
It appears unlikely that Podziemski will become a superstar, a common outcome for most 19th overall draft picks. A more realistic perspective is to view him as a late first-round talent still developing his game, rather than someone aiming to join Team USA discussions (opens in new tab). From this angle, his errors are more comprehensible, his positive contributions stand out, and his development struggles are seen as natural rather than deal-breaking.
“This is a typical phase for any young athlete,” Kerr commented. “He needs to process these experiences and understand what it truly means to be part of a team. He’s exploring his own abilities and how they fit, all while simultaneously striving to contribute to team victories. It’s a complicated balance. Therefore, this period is undeniably significant for his growth.”
Indeed, a noteworthy and insightful period for him.
How would you evaluate Brandin Podziemski’s performance during Stephen Curry’s absence? Let us know in the comments, a new feature exclusively for SF Standard members.