As he enters his third NBA season, Brandin Podziemski has his eyes on a bigger prize than just personal statistics. The young Warriors guard is focused on becoming a true leader—someone who can carry the team’s legacy forward once its current stars step away. This journey involves earning the deep trust of veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, not just with his skills on the court, but with his maturity and character.
His goal is clear: to become a reliable cornerstone for the team’s future. He understands that this requires more than just talent; it demands consistency, emotional control, and the ability to inspire his teammates, challenges he is ready to embrace.
🙏 Earning the Trust of Legends
Brandin Podziemski’s main ambition is to become the player the Warriors’ legendary core can pass the torch to. “When they leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody,” he said, explaining his mindset. He knows that gaining their trust for crucial moments is a different level of respect that must be earned over time. He sees that players rally around stars like Stephen Curry not just for his incredible shooting, but for his consistent hard work, leadership, and how he supports younger teammates. Podziemski aims to develop his own version of these qualities so that future players will have a reason to play hard for him, too.
🧘 A Key Challenge: Emotional Control
To become that leader, Podziemski knows he has to grow. Coach Steve Kerr pointed out a key area for improvement: “leaving the refs alone.” Kerr emphasized that staying calm and not getting distracted by calls is important for both Podziemski’s focus and the team’s overall energy. Podziemski is taking this advice seriously. He recalls a tough loss last season where Kerr publicly mentioned his on-court reactions, which was followed by a slump in his performance. He is now making a conscious effort to manage his emotions, knowing it’s crucial for his teammates to see him as a reliable presence in high-pressure situations.
💪 Proving the Team’s Depth
Podziemski is also motivated by the public perception that the Warriors can only succeed when their star players are on the court. He remembers the team’s struggles last season when Curry was injured and is determined to change that narrative. “As a player, that motivates you,” he shared. By stepping up his game, he wants to prove that the team has the depth to win even when key veterans are absent. His strong performance in a recent preseason game, where he contributed a plus-16 rating in 18 minutes with solid playmaking, shows he is on the right track to becoming a more impactful and versatile player.
🎯 Learning from the Best
Stephen Curry has set the standard for what it means to be a leader on the Warriors, and Podziemski is a keen student. Curry explained that trust is built over time through consistent effort, from daily practice habits to making winning plays. Podziemski has also adopted Curry’s on-court mentality of not dwelling on missed shots but focusing on the next one with confidence. This season, he has shifted his focus away from individual awards like “Most Improved Player.” Instead, his goal is to become a dependable third option who can help the team win games, especially when the stars need support. It’s a new mindset focused on team success and preparing for the future.
