“I am excited! … I train myself in the offseason to be ready to play 35-40 minutes on a given night. [So] I’m ready for that,” Brandin Podziemski said after the news that Stephen Curry was confirmed to be sidelined for two games. Ready to step up to a role many would be nervous about, but not Podz, he also had quite the positive viewpoint about Curry’s absence. And quite frankly, quite interesting, too.

It definitely is not something many would think about given the Dubs’ circumstances. Talking to Willard And Dibs, the 21-year-old noted one benefit that came out of the Warriors superstar sidelined. “It’s a blessing in disguise having [Steph] out…Since it was so early in the season, everyone’s playing free out there. The next man stepped up and there wasn’t any expectation. It’s helped us,” he said via 95.7 The Game. 

The next man certainly stepped up alright! Just think of Buddy Hield and Lindy Waters III propelling the Dubs to a win over the Pelicans, right after which Draymond Green made a statement with his insane defense on Zion Williamson, holding him to just 5-of-20 (!) shooting the next night. And on a back-to-back.

As Podziemski mentioned, Curry’s absence has created an opportunity for the team to play with fewer expectations, allowing them to feel more at ease and adaptable on the court. Moreover, without the pressure of relying on their star player, they can experiment more freely with rotations and build confidence in each player’s contributions. This has allowed each player to step up without necessarily feeling overshadowed by the usual demands of playing alongside the four-time champion.

As for the Santa Clara alum, he had his own challenges to overcome to be an efficient contributor in Curry’s absence.

Brandin Podziemski believes his impact goes beyond “more than just scoring”

The preseason matchup with the Pistons saw the All-Rookie First-Teamer sustain a broken nose. Unsurprisingly, he was out for their next game with the Lakers. However, Coach Kerr assured everyone that Podziemski was going to be fine and was being fitted for a protective face mask for when he took the floor again.

Warriors fans breathed a sigh of relief; however, the reality was not as comforting. Whether for Brandin Podziemski or those watching him, his shooting struggles began with the mask. Podziemski finds the mask restricts his depth perception and peripheral vision. Even so, he remains the hard-nosed, undeterred guard fans know, confident that his impact goes beyond just scoring.

“I just try to make do with it… I think I impact the game more than just scoring,” he had said earlier in the week, emphasizing his determination to adjust his play rather than let the mask be an obstacle. Steve Kerr’s comments also echo the same sentiment.

“The shot hasn’t gone in, but he’s playing well. He’s a tough-minded guy. So … he’s not going to use (the mask) as an excuse,” Kerr pointed out, noting another key point, as well: “The game flows well when he’s out there.”

Brandin’s resilience is clear, and his adaptability under challenging conditions speaks volumes. With Kerr’s confidence and his own determination to overcome this temporary setback, it’s clear that Podziemski’s presence will continue to make a difference for the team. The mask may be a hurdle, but it’s hardly holding him back.