Podz offers a poor answer when asked about Kerr’s youth comment first appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As the Warriors go all-in on combining sixteen kids with Steph Curry and an aging military team, the goal has to be taken. Brandin Pod ZiemiaJonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Trayce Jackson-Davis to gel alongside the two-time NBA MVP.
That process has been trickier than expected, especially this time with the youth struggling to find their way.
But a ball-movement-heavy possession late in the The Warriors’ 113-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves stand out to coach Steve Kerr, who ended his postgame press conference by emphasizing that young players are still trying to learn how to play with Curry.
Kerr’s comments were directed at Podziemski after the game, and the second-year NBA guard gave a surprising response.
“I’m not really thinking. I’m just playing,” Podziemski told reporters. “When I’m there and I’m open, I shoot. If not, I play a game, I don’t look too much. I know we have Steph Curry on the court and if it’s open, I I’ll throw the ball at him.
The message Kerr sent after the game was pointed out correctly.
“That’s what we try to give our young players,” Kerr told reporters. “We have Steph Curry on our team. So, get the ball. Move the ball. And if Steph leaves early, because he has an opportunity, now the defense is breaking.
“This is how we’ve played for 10 years, and it’s important for our young players to understand – we don’t need 17 players competing with 12 (seconds) on the shot clock. That’s a bad shot. I talked to us guys about it during various timeouts. It’s something we have to stop and get better with.
“When you have Steph Curry on your side, you get the ball. Because if he passes two or three times, the defense is going to break. We can shoot a whole bunch of 15-footers in the middle of the shot clock and be worst NBA team It’s for us, and we hit that spot at home with our team.
The Warriors have high hopes for Podziemski, who was a First-Team All-Rookie selection last season. The Santa Clara product has struggled this season but found his stride Saturday night, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench.
It is unclear whether Podziemski was caught off guard by such a question or if he did not listen to the messages coming from the coaching staff.
it’s the latter, Kerr and the Warriors may have an issue they need to address.
