Brandin Podziemski is quickly becoming a favorite for the Dub Nation, and it’s not just because of his game stats. The second-year guard’s aggressive, fearless style of play stands out, especially after the Warriors’ latest win over the Hawks. While getting hit in the face is certainly going to hurt, it’s part of the hustle that defines Podz’s approach.

Steve Kerr, in his post-game presser, had a humorous take on the elbow to the face Podziemski sustained tonight. Although his comment did have a light-hearted tinge to it, it provides us with a clearer picture as to why Coach Kerr won’t give up on him.

When a reporter asked how scary it was to watch Brandin take a hit to the face (again), Kerr replied, “It’s a frequent sight. I mean, he literally sticks his nose in there on every play. That’s why we love him. He’s so tough and physical, takes charges, he’s always battling for rebound, so he frequently gets hit in there.”

It’s evident that while Kerr decided to take the humorous route, the 9x champion truly appreciated everything Brandin Podziemski was willing to do for the team. Be it diving into every play, taking charges, or fighting for rebounds. But what makes the 21-year-old valuable to the Golden State goes well beyond numbers. An area Kerr discussed in his latest chat with Willard & Dibs.

Steve Kerr gives due credit to Brandin Podziemski for doing the things that don’t always show up on the sheet

Sure, Podz’ shooting hasn’t been as consistent as some might hope. But the Dubs’ head coach knows his young guard’s contributions show up in all those finer details. Details that numbers do not capture. Joining 95.7 The Game with Willard & Dibs, Kerr noted, “He’s searching a little bit. This is not unusual for a young player to have a bump in the road.”

“He’s such a good player. He just has such good feel for the game and for what wins. And even during his shooting struggles, he is playing at a really high level. But we know he can play a lot better and that’s exciting.”

For a team like the Warriors that thrives on smart basketball and moving the ball, Podziemski’s ability to contribute without needing to light up the scoreboard is huge. But that’s not all. Coach Kerr’s faith in the Santa Clara alum speaks to the franchise’s long-term view. They have already made it clear that they see Brandin Podziemski as an important piece of their future, rather than just someone to plug into trade rumors when the team is looking for upgrades.

Podz’s role may not always be flashy. But his consistency in doing the dirty work – whether it’s grabbing boards or staying involved in defense – keeps the team running smoothly. To clarify things further, Kerr provided an example of his performance against Memphis. “You see the subtle things that he does. I thought his rebounding against Memphis to start the second half – we started him in the second half because Lindy was injured – and he got three or four rebounds in traffic,” he explained.

“And then he went down and scored the other end and broke the game open. Those plays are massive! The ability to get the ball out of traffic and make the right pass and create the advantage that you need offensively; he does stuff like that all the time. He’s a winning player, and he’s going to get a lot better as he finds his groove again,” Steve finished with pride in his voice.

Clearly, Kerr’s trust in Podz is immense!

The key takeaway here, though, is that the NBA All-Rookie First-Teamer’s journey is about more than instant production. He has definitely got the tools to be a contributor for years to come. And with the support of Kerr and the coaching staff, it won’t be long before he finds his rhythm.