Kerr challenges Podza’s decision-making after Warriors’ loss to Nuggets appeared originally on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors’ 119-115 loss to the Denver Nuggets was frustrating to say the least for Golden State.
In addition to expressing irritation with the potential missed call at the end of the game, coach Steve Kerr publicly questioned Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski’s decision-making in Wednesday’s loss.
“Podz is a hell of a player, but he needs to — and I told him — he needs to be a smart player,” Kerr told reporters after the game. “He’s one of our guys who is able to make really good decisions. He lobbied when we were up.” [10] it was honestly crazy at the end of the second quarter.”
Kerr didn’t mean it in a good way, considering the turnover led to an easy basket on the other end for Denver. He also pointed to a similar mistake in the past, as Podziemski fouled Denver forward Michael Porter Jr. twice. on 3-point attempts.
“He made the same play last week against Brooklyn when he tried to throw a lob over his shoulder. He can’t be that guy,” Kerr continued. “And he can’t foul jump shooters. I love Brandin. He’s a hell of a player. He’s got a hell of a future ahead of him.”
“But I hope he watches this clip I’m talking about right now because he needs to hear it. He’s got to be smart, tough, a great decision maker and he’s very capable of that. But that’s his next step.”
That postgame press conference wasn’t the only time Kerr expressed his apparent frustration with Podziemski on Wednesday. After his first foul on Porter, Kerr had a lively conversation with the second-year NBA guard from the sidelines.
“It was more like he was hitting on me to do my job and know what I should be doing there. He said, ‘If you can’t do your job, I’m going to take you out,'” Podziemski told reporters after the game. he got a little on me for what I’m trying to do better.
“He knows he can get at me and I’m not going to react emotionally to it. I’m going to go out there and hoop.”
Podziemski also reacted to Kerr’s post-match outburst in his own strength.
“I mean, I agree. I played bad,” Podziemski said. “I think there was a point defensively where I was just pushing too hard and trying too hard. I think one of the turnovers I had when I threw it to Trayce, I could’ve bounced it off him earlier.”
Although he was disappointed with his two turnovers, Podziemski said he felt good about his offensive play Wednesday. Finally, he had a respectable statistic of 13 points on 6-11 shooting with four assists.
However, Podziemski appeared to show more dissatisfaction with his defensive struggles after picking up five fouls and going a minus-13 plus-minus, second-worst on the Warriors.
“I think I tried too hard defensively to stick with Michael Porter and foul him twice [was] definitely not like me and definitely something I’m not proud of,” Podziemski said. “I know when they got going it was because I fouled or turned the ball over. So I know I have to be better. I know I will get better. It’s just a shame that we didn’t win.”
After this apparent call from Kerr, it will be interesting to watch Podziemski’s rotations — and perhaps if he returns to the bench — when the Warriors return to action Thursday and Friday later this week.
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