Warriors’ Draymond Inexperienced shares blunt recommendation for Brandin Podziemski

The Golden State Warriors handled an ungainly opening to NBA coaching camps this week. The franchise needed to face the fact that they’d not look the identical subsequent season. Klay Thompson has joined the reigning Western Convention champion Dallas Mavericks. Fortunately, there gave the impression to be a alternative ready within the wings in Brandin Podziemski however Draymond Inexperienced is warning towards that narrative.

Inexperienced was requested after follow about Podziemski’s readiness for a job that required extra playmaking and a better utilization charge in Thompson’s absence.

“I feel he had a fairly large position final yr,” Inexperienced advised reporters (h/t Anthony Slater of The Athletic).

I’ll warn him to be Brandin,” Inexperienced continued. “You may fall into the lure of so many individuals saying Klay leaving, you gotta be this, gotta do that. No. Be you. (Podziemski) may have rather a lot higher alternative to succeed by being himself than making an attempt to fill someone else position.”

“I can converse to that. After I began the very last thing I wished to do was attempt to be David Lee,” continued Inexperienced. “As a result of I could not, primary. Quantity two, it isn’t my ability set. That is not how I’ll greatest influence the sport. So I will warn (Podziemski) that in the event you do nice issues on the courtroom, if there’s something that you simply do nice, do this. In case you do it nice, the crew, offense, and group will regulate to (your greatness) as a result of it requires an adjustment.”

“Making an attempt to be Klay or making an attempt to be somebody that you simply’re not doesn’t go well with you that nicely. That is my message to (Podziemski),” added Inexperienced. “The whole lot that you simply do nicely, do this to the perfect of your skills. In case you get extra minutes, you do extra of that. You will be significantly better off than making an attempt to be Klay. Klay has a really particular skillset that if I am sincere, there’s not one different NBA participant with that ability set. Be the perfect you that you could be. That normally works.”

Warriors ready on lineup stability

Thompson’s void shall be arduous to fill little doubt. Head coach Steve Kerr says the Warriors’ inner battle between Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrew Wiggins for beginning roles shall be decided by means of some good previous coaching camp competitors.

“There may be competitors throughout the board,” Kerr said. “It is not so simple as, ‘Who’s going to be the 2?’ It is bought to be ‘Who’s going to be the 5? Who’s the 4?’ We all know that Steph is the one. However what is the mixture?”

“The beginning lineup goes to should be dependent, not solely on the primary 5 becoming however the second becoming as nicely,” Kerr continued. “We have a whole lot of work to do to determine lineups. All the blokes can do is compete, play their ass off.”

The Warriors could not have the beginning lineup found out earlier than getting back from their Hawaii coaching camp base. Nonetheless, Steve Kerr, Steph Curry, and Draymond Inexperienced are betting they will determine issues out earlier than the NBA Playoffs start. If not, Thompson may not be the final Warriors legend to depart Golden State.