Brandin Podziemski believes point guard ‘competition’ good for Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has been stuck in the middle of Steve Kerr’s erratic rotation roulette.
Podziemski shone alongside Jimmy Butler in Sunday’s 123-91 win in Chicago despite not getting the start, teasing a triple-double with a team-high 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
He spoke to the media after practice on Wednesday and detailed how he embraces competing for minutes with eight other guards on the Warriors’ roster besides Steph Curry.
“I think it brings the best out of people,” he told reporters. “I think it’s going to bring out the best of all eight of us.”
The Warriors extended their team option on Podziemski’s contract back in October 2025, and Kerr has used him interchangeably in the starting lineup while Curry has been out with a quad injury.
“Steve’s going to play who he plays,” he said, “But I think having competition and not being complacent, it’s a good thing for our team.”
Podziemski additionally complimented Pat Spencer’s recent offensive emergence, whose playtime has also increased in Curry’s absence.
“I think Pat’s a great basketball player and just understands how the game flows and functions,” he praised, referring to Spencer’s on-ball fundamentals, “Just making simple plays, and I think simple equals a lot bigger than what most people think,” he said.
Podziemski replaced the red-hot Spencer with less than four minutes to go to close out the 124-112 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder back on Dec. 2nd at Chase Center.
Curry is slated to make his return on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Podziemski will have to continue playing smart and remind the Warriors why they extended him in order to receive more minutes. Until then, the Warriors hold a 13-12 record and play four of the next six games at home.
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