Brandin Podzemski appears poised for a breakout season with the Golden State Warriors.
Multiple indicators point to significant progress, including Steve Kerr naming him the most outstanding player during training camp.
He could potentially secure the starting shooting guard position, especially if Carr deploys a small-ball lineup.
Warriors expert Dalton Johnson believes that if Podzemski works on his shooting consistency, he could become the team’s third scoring option behind Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
Podzemski recently spoke about developing his shooting, which focuses on a mental approach rather than technical adjustments or volume increases.
He believes he learned this mindset from the best shooter in NBA history and his teammate Stephen Curry.
“He (Curry) shoots 10 threes a game. He’s not going to make 10 of 10. And sometimes he’ll make 1 of 10, but it’s the confidence to shoot and I think I’ve developed that,” Poziemski explained.
“It’s just about being free, being myself and living with the consequences,” he added.
Mental alignment addresses the key elements of offensive production that separate good shooters from elite shooters.
Curry’s ability to maintain confidence despite cold stretches represents a skill that Podzemski aims to emulate.
Examining Podzemski’s stats reveals a solid shooting performance last season. He shot 37.2% from three-point range, and his career mark in two NBA seasons was 37.8%.
These percentages are respectable numbers for a young player. Podzemski primarily needs consistency management, especially if his role expands and he predictably increases his shooting volume.
Last season, he took more 3-point attempts compared to his rookie year. Although his percentage decreased slightly, the decrease was not statistically significant and may reflect natural variation with increased volume.
Curry’s mindset about confidence and accepting consequences could turn Podzemski into a more reliable shooter.
If he can successfully implement this mental approach while maintaining his technical foundation next season, he could become the third scoring source the Warriors desperately need behind their established stars.