Brandin Podziemski anointed himself Stephen Curry’s heir apparent last season, declaring that it’s his “job” to take the mantle from the sharpshooter when he calls it a day. The Warriors were seemingly on board with the succession plan, refusing to part with Podz in trades involving Paul George and Lauri Markkanen.
A quarter of the way into the new season, Podz has been an utter disappointment. The second-year guard is averaging 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting an appalling 39 percent from the field and 20.6 percent from three. His numbers are down across the board from his rookie year, a troubling trend for a player who vowed to fill the void left by Klay Thompson as Curry’s backcourt partner.
During Monday’s loss in Denver, there was a 38-second stretch in the fourth quarter when Podziemski made three boneheaded decisions that derailed the Warriors’ momentum and cost them a nine-point lead. At the 5:44 mark, he made a terrible pass while inbounding the ball, and followed up his turnover with an ill-advised three-point attempt at the other end. Then, at the 5:06 mark, he fouled Michael Porter Jr. on a three, leading to a four-point play.
Podziemski was immediately benched and held out for the rest of the game. But the damage had already been done, as the Nuggets completed the comeback in a 119-115 win.
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr called out Podziemski for his inability to read in-game situations. Kerr noted that Podz made similar mistakes in a loss to the Nets last week.
