As the Golden State Warriors look to begin the 2025-26 campaign, four-time NBA champion Draymond Green spoke on a rising star in The Bay, Brandin Podziemski.
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After Podziemski’s recent comments to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell expressing his desire to earn the trust of his teammates, Green spoke on what the 22-year-old shooting guard said, and what the 10-time All-Defensive Teamer still wants to see from Podziemski moving forward.
“I think you’re worried a little more when someone struggles with confidence,” Green said. “It’s very hard to give someone confidence. I think with [Podziemski], one, you appreciate the respect. You go through so many years of building this thing up, you always just hope that the young guys that come in just respect you. Because if you do respect, then there’s so much to give from us. So much for us to give. And you want to give that.”
Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game last season on 44.5 percent shooting from the field.
Green is excited by Podziemski and touched on his trajectory, but also warned him about a few things as he furthers his NBA career, and looks more like the future face of the Warriors each game.
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“So to hear BP say that, it’s exciting,” Green said. “But as a leader, for him, you also understand what that comes with. And so with him I say: be careful. Don’t tell people too much. Because the more you tell people, the more they try to use it against you and tear you down. So I think you can look at the trajectory of this thing and where it’s all going, and we all believe he’s going to be one of the guys that takes the torch and run with it. But be careful…”
This is going to be a huge year for the young guard, and especially after shooting just 36.4 percent from the field last season in the playoffs, there is some unfinished business in San Francisco.
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