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Podz’s vocal leadership, competitiveness on display vs. Team USA originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
LAS VEGAS – Full-court press guarding Steph Curry. Trapping Jrue Holiday in the corner to force a turnover. Diving on the floor and securing loose balls. Pushing the pace and hitting a 17-year-old super prospect Cooper Flagg in stride for a dunk.
Everything that made Brandin Podziemski pop as a Warriors rookie was on display during his two scrimmages against Team USA at UNLV this week as part of the USA Select Team.
“BP is the most competitive guy I’ve met when it comes to him feeling like he belongs on every court, and that’s what you need,” Curry said Sunday. “Now hopefully that carries over to the season next year.”
Podziemski to no surprise instantly agreed with his future Hall of Fame teammate when told of Curry’s assessment the next day.
“I think whatever court I step on, whether it’s this court or Wednesday at the Cali Classic, I think I belong,” Podziemski said to NBC Sports Bay Area. “I can compete with anybody. I think that’s just the mindset you got to have as an up-and-coming guy to show the older guys that you can do it.
“It’s just the confidence piece that everybody knows I have.”
Before he replaced Klay Thompson in the Warriors’ starting lineup, and before he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team, Podziemski didn’t passively mute his voice upon his arrival at Chase Center. Some didn’t know how to respond.
Who is this kid?Does he need to be put in his place? Those questions, with some salty language, didn’t stop Podziemski. Even more so when it became evident his production was on the same page as his chatter.
Podziemski, 21, isn’t the oldest on the USA Select Team, nor is he the youngest. What he was is the most vocal.
It was impossible to miss watching parts of both scrimmages that Podziemski took it upon himself to run the offense, and also to guard Curry whenever the two shared the court. Not once he crossed half court, but everywhere he went. Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, who coached the Select Team for the second straight year, didn’t need to ask…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/podzs-vocal-leadership-competitiveness-display-224534003.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2024-07-09 22:45:34
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