The Brandin Podziemski Redemption Arc
How the sophomore Warriors guard flipped his season—and possibly the team’s fate.
When the Golden State Warriors finally turned the page on the Klay Thompson era, eyes turned to sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski. Thrust into the starting shooting guard role, Podziemski had massive shoes to fill—and early returns didn’t look promising.
Over the first fifteen games of the season, Podz couldn’t find a rhythm. He shot a brutal 36.7% from the field and an abysmal 18.5% from three. Trade rumors swirled, and many questioned if moving on from Klay and starting Podz was a big mistake. Podz was in the crosshairs of public criticism (and my own).
But early-season struggles generally aren’t indicative of late-year realities.
Over his last five games, Podziemski has flipped the script. The sophomore is averaging 21.6 points, 6.6 boards, 4.4 assists, and one steal per game, while shooting a scorching hot 57.5% from deep and nearly 56% from the field. He’s knocking down nearly five threes per game, with eight trey balls against the Lakers last Thursday.
It’s easy to forget Podz’s NBA journey thus far. Drafted 19th in the 2023 NBA Draft, he vastly over-achieved in his rookie season. Not only was he named to the All-Rookie First Team, but he was the first Warriors rookie since Chris Webber with 600 points, 400 rebounds, and 200 assists.
So, despite the peaks and valleys of his sophomore year, it’s important to remember: Brandin Podziemski has already exceeded expectations.
Now, the question is: Can the Warriors win with Podz starting?
If Podz continues playing at this level into the NBA playoffs, the Warriors have legit title hopes. Like Jordan Poole in the 2022 title run, Podz could provide youthful energy, scoring bursts, and precious minutes of rest for Stephen Curry.
While it’s hard to see his shooting numbers remain at their current levels, his defensive effort isn’t going anywhere. This part of his game is in stark contrast to both of the aforementioned guards, Poole and Thompson (at least in Klay’s latest seasons).
The Warriors’ New Identity with Podziemski
Podziemski’s emergence meshes well with the Warriors’ evolving identity. Gone are the days of Splash Brothers 1.0. This version of the team is younger, scrappier, and more balanced on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, Podz fits perfectly into Steve Kerr’s system since he’s comfortable playing both on and off the ball. His off-ball cuts, quick decision-making, and improved shooting have opened up more space for Steph to operate. He’s also shown solid instincts as a connector, keeping the ball moving and finding cutters in tight windows.
Defensively, he’s far more engaged than your typical second-year guard. Podziemski isn’t locking down stars yet, but he fights over screens, contests shots, and crashes the boards. His defensive rebounding is particularly underrated, as it kickstarts transition offense and limits second-chance opportunities.
Lineup Chemistry and Fit
One of the underrated aspects of Podziemski’s rise is his fit alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. With Dray handling a lot of the playmaking duties and Steph commanding defensive attention, Podz slots in as a do-it-all guard who can shoot, drive, or dish depending on the situation.
Despite last night’s loss in the Golden State Warriors vs Houston Rockets matchup, the starting lineup of Curry, Podziemski, Moody, Butler, and Green is still 13-1.
Diving deeper into the numbers, Podziemski has played 60 games this season, starting in 29. When he comes off the bench, the Warriors are 17-14. As a starter? They’re 19-10.
As the Warriors fight to stay out of the play-in and secure home-court in the first round, Podz is an integral piece in the puzzle. Whether it’s his shooting, hustle, or feel for the game, he’s proving he belongs—and he just might be the key to another deep Warriors playoff run.
