Brandin Podziemski's Comments on Stephen Curry Rubbed Some the Wrong Way

Brandin Podziemski is a promising young player. In his first two NBA seasons, he showed promise both as a scorer and playmaker, averaging 10.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists early in his 151-game career.

The Warriors have loved the confidence and leadership that Podz has shown as a young player in an organization full of veterans with a championship pedigree. However, his confidence has also gotten him in a bit of trouble. 

Warriors insider Anthony Slater recently reported, “Podziemski made a number of comments in the lead-up to the season about his long-term career ambitions, including a news conference answer to a question about whether he wanted to be as great as Steph Curry. Podziemski said he ‘wants to be better than him,’ an answer that elicited some eye-rolls and continued references from several within the organization. Podziemski's numbers (12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists) are relatively stable from a season ago.”

It’s true that believing is half the battle, but confidence and hubris are distinctly different. Sure, if Podz was showing huge improvements and starting to bud into the star he believes he can be, the comments he’s made would be a bit more well-received. Unfortunately, that hasn’t really been the case. Podz is definitely a solid player, but in his third year, he isn’t showing any major improvements. He is still an okay scorer, okay defender, and okay playmaker. His only skill that he really excels at is being a great rebounder for a guard.

If Podz is going to make his dreams come true of being “better than Steph Curry,” he has a ton of work to do. Until then, he should probably talk a little bit less.