Rookie Brandin Podziemski fitting in 'beautifully' among legends with Golden State Warriors
Brandin Podziemski remembers when Fiserv Forum was being built, so it was surreal for the 2021 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball from St. John's Northwestern Academies to be standing on the court a few hours before starting for the Golden State Warriors against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
"It’s pretty crazy," Podziemski said. "The day this place opened (in 2018), me and my dad came down here. I got to see a tour of the place the day it opened.
"Then obviously as a sophomore I got to play here on the court with my high-school squad. Going to Illinois, coming here to play Marquette, I didn’t get to play but got to experience what it was like out here. And now living out my dream and coming back here is pretty special."
The 20-year-old Podziemski has been through many surreal moments since deciding to transfer from Illinois after playing sporadically in the 2021-22 season. He landed at Santa Clara, enjoyed a breakout season and then became a hot NBA prospect. Podziemski landed with the Warriors as the 19th pick in last summer's draft, getting the chance to learn from legendary players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Chris Paul.
"It's a blessing, for sure," he said. "Just to play the free-flowing way we play. It’s not many set things, it’s read and react. That’s the kind of player I am.
"Just to be in this position is a blessing, being around Hall of Fame guys, at my position especially, to learn and grow from. Just understanding what it takes to win, we’ve had guys that have won multiple championships. For me to be a part of that and play at the same time, I think, is the best of both worlds."
Golden State coach Steve Kerr loves the way the 6-foot-4 Podziemski plays, and he was comfortable inserting the rookie in the starting lineup when Curry sat out against the Bucks.
"He’s a really good player," Kerr said. "He’s fit in beautifully. He kind of plays our style, with the ball movement and the awareness of how to attack. How to draw two and get the ball quickly out of traffic to the open guy and how that leads to an offensive advantage.
"He understands all that. If he’s on the backside of a play, he knows how to attack that advantage that’s already been gained. He’s a good player. He’s tough, gritty, plays good defense. Takes charges. We’re lucky to have him."
Warriors' Wisconsin connections included Kevon Looney and others
There's also been a strong contingent of Wisconsin natives in the Golden State organization, with Chris DeMarco and Seth Cooper on the coaching staff and former Milwaukee Hamilton star Kevon Looney an entrenched starter.
"It’s great," Podziemski said. "Get to share a lot of stories. Being so far away from home, it’s always comforting to have guys that you know around."
As a shooter, it's also great for him to study the habits of Curry and Thompson.
"Honestly, Klay and Steph are two of the best that I’ve seen not really caring about misses," Podziemski said. "Going into every shot like you’re 0 for 0 with that same mindset. Even through their struggles, each of them have had their struggles this season, they remain solid and shoot the same shots and never pass them up."
Learning from Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson
Podziemski has also learned how to fit in with talented teammates. He has made 10 starts this season.
"It’s just doing the little things and controlling what you can control," he said. "I think that’s what makes people really good role players. Guys that know how to control what they can control. Bring other things to the game other than just scoring.
"For me, even though I’ve been a star everywhere I’ve been, I’ve always done those little things. So now, me not scoring the ball as much and just continuing to do the little things is something that comes naturally to me."
Podziemski is averaging 9.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He tied his season high with 23 points and also pulled down 10 rebounds against the Bucks.
"Brandon was fantastic," Kerr said. "Obviously without Steph, we needed his offense. He came through in a big way.
"He's a really crafty player. He knows how to get to the rim. He's got that Euro step. He just has a feel. A knack."
Podziemski has a lengthy list of goals for his rookie season.
"First and foremost, I want to win," Podziemski said. "I want to get Steph, Dray, all those guys their fifth title. Steve, it’ll be his 10th. Just to be 1 for 1 in my rookie season like Jonathan (Kuminga) and Moses (Moodty) were in their rookie year.
"Obviously, the all-star event, I want to be in the rookie game, and then I want to be first-team all-rookie, that’s been a goal of mine. And, you know, just to contribute to a championship team. It’s one thing to be on the team and experience it, but it’s another to help contribute to winning. That’s the biggest goal.
"In terms of stats and numbers, I don’t really care about that. I think they’ll figure themselves out just by playing hard and doing the stuff I do."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rookie Brandin Podziemski having success with Golden State Warriors
