After the Golden State Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak with a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, head coach Steve Kerr made remarks that appeared to be aimed at Brandin Podziemski.
“We have Steph Curry on our team, so pass the ball,” Kerr stated (as noted by Sam Gordon from the San Francisco Chronicle). “Move the ball… This has been our style of play for a decade, and it’s crucial for our younger players to understand. We don’t need to be taking contested 17-footers with 12 seconds still remaining on the shot clock. That’s not a quality shot… When Steph Curry is on your side, ball-sharing becomes essential.”
Kerr continued, “We can opt to play this way and secure victories, or we can keep shooting a lot of contested 15-foot attempts in the middle of the shot clock, which will result in us being a subpar NBA team. The choice lies with us, and we are emphasizing this point for our team.”
These comments fueled speculation among fans that they were directed at Podziemski and other younger players, including Jonathan Kuminga.
Post-game, Podziemski was directly asked for his take on Kerr’s statements.
“I don’t really think about it. I just play,” he replied. “When I’m on the court and I’m open, I take the shot. If I’m not, I look to create a play. I don’t dwell on it too much. I recognize we have Steph Curry out there, and if he’s open, I’ll pass to him. I don’t analyze those messages in depth.”
Later, the second-year guard sought to provide further clarity in a now-famous social media post.
“To clarify and offer some additional context… Steph is Steph, and I’ve openly shared my admiration for him both on and off the court,” Podziemski expressed. “He’s a legend and a 🐐 for a reason. On the court, it’s important to avoid overthinking every play. You have to trust your preparation, follow the coaches’ instructions, and make wise decisions. Sometimes that entails passing, taking a shot, or setting a solid screen to support a teammate.”
Image Source: Brandin Podziemski @ Instagram
