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[Saba Sports News] Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski is working to smooth things over after sparking backlash with his recent remarks about Steph Curry.
The Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak on Saturday with a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Steph Curry led the charge with 31 points, while Podziemski contributed 12 points off the bench.
However, after the game, head coach Steve Kerr expressed concern about younger players struggling to adapt to playing alongside Curry, pointing out their tendency to take contested long 2s early in the shot clock instead of getting the ball to Curry.
When asked about Kerr’s comments, Podziemski gave a response that many found dismissive.
“I don’t really think. I just play,” he said, per NBC Sports Bay Area. “When I’m out there and I’m open, I shoot it. If not, I make a play. I don’t really look too much into it. I know we have Steph Curry on the court, and if he’s open, I’m gonna throw the ball to him. I don’t really look too deep into those messages.”
The 21-year-old’s comments quickly drew criticism from fans who felt he was being arrogant and failing to recognize Curry’s status as one of the greatest players in NBA history—a teammate to whom players should defer.
In response to the backlash, Podziemski issued a statement on Sunday clarifying his comments. He praised Curry as a “legend” and explained that his intention was to emphasize the importance of playing instinctively and not overthinking each possession. He added that he’s working on making consistent, good decisions to help the team.
Podziemski, the No. 19 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, became a fan favorite as a rookie due to his hustle and high basketball IQ, averaging 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
However, his sophomore season has seen a noticeable decline, with averages of 8.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 40/27/73 shooting splits.
With the Warriors sitting at a mediocre 15-12 this season, Podziemski has become a target for criticism, and his comments only added fuel to the fire. Some fans are now calling for him to be included in a potential trade package for a rumored Warriors target.