After the Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak against the Timberwolves, head coach Steve Kerr made some seemingly pointed comments about Brandin Podziemski.
“We have Steph Curry on our team, so pass the ball,” Kerr said (via Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle). “Move the ball… This is how we’ve played for 10 years and it’s important for our young players to understand. We don’t need contested 17-footers with 12 on the shot clock. That’s a bad shot… When you have Steph Curry on the team, pass the ball.
Kerr added, “We can either do that and win games or we can shoot a whole bunch of 15-foot contested shots in the middle of the shot clock and be a lousy NBA team. It’s up to us and we are hammering that point home for our team.”
Many fans believed these comments were aimed at Podziemski and other younger players like Jonathan Kuminga.
Podziemski was specifically asked about Kerr’s comments after the game.
“I don’t really think. I just play,” he said. “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. I know we have Steph Curry on the court and if he’s open, I’m going to throw the ball to him. I don’t really look too deep into those messages.”
The second-year guard then attempted to clarify his comments in a social media post that is going viral.
“To clarify and for further context… Steph is Steph and I’ve been very open with my respect for him on and off the court,” Podziemski wrote. “He’s a legend and a 🐐 for a reason. On the court you have to be cautious against over thinking every possession. You have to trust your work, do what the coaches want you to do, and make a good IQ play. At times that’s a pass, taking shot, or even making a good screen to free up a teammate.”
— Brandin Podziemski (@brandinpodziem2) December 22, 2024
He finished by saying, “So you just play and work to make good decisions consistently. A lot of times that will end up being passing the ball to a wide open Steph and/or teammate when the opportunity is there and just doing whatever it takes to help the team.
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