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[Saba Sports News] Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was in China with Nike after winning gold at the 2024 Olympics, while Brandin Podziemski, head coach Steve Kerr, and the team prepare for a new chapter. Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal marked the end of the Splash Brothers era after 13 seasons.
When an anonymous NBA coach compared the Warriors to a “washed-up rock band,” Podziemski responded, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Ali Thanawalla: “We don’t love to hear that, but we thrive on proving people wrong. They think we’re not the same Warriors, but we’re ready to surprise everyone.”
The coach’s comments, as reported by Heavy Sports, suggested that while Curry can still perform at a high level, the team hasn’t had a major success recently, likening their 2022 championship win to a “lifetime achievement award.”
Podziemski, who averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his rookie season, is set for a larger role with Klay Thompson’s exit. Coach Kerr has encouraged him to increase his three-point attempts, aiming for 8-10 per game, as the Warriors gear up for their preseason opener against the Clippers on October 5.