Stephen Curry wants Brandin Podziemski to trust his preparation and make quicker decisions when opportunities arise. After Golden State’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, Curry praised the young guard’s physical progress while identifying one area that could help him become more effective.
The message centered on decisiveness, particularly when Podziemski gets an open look from 3-point range. For a Warriors team balancing veteran leadership with younger players’ development, Curry’s advice offered a practical reminder: confidence matters most when it translates into action on the court.
Podziemski has already shown that he can contribute as a scorer and playmaker. Now, Golden State wants him to recognize opportunities faster, avoid unnecessary hesitation and make his presence felt as the team prepares for another demanding NBA season.
Curry notices Podziemski’s physical improvement
Curry’s assessment was encouraging despite the uneven result. He described Podziemski as looking stronger, quicker and better conditioned, while emphasizing that the guard’s determination was already apparent during the offseason and training camp.
The distinction matters because Curry was not questioning Podziemski’s ability. Instead, his comments focused on turning improved preparation into confident decisions, particularly when the defense gives him space to shoot from beyond the arc.
For a young player competing alongside one of basketball’s greatest shooters, the advice carries weight. Curry has spent years reading defenses, recognizing openings and releasing the ball quickly, making his perspective especially relevant to Podziemski’s development.
Podziemski’s preseason opener exposed room for growth
Golden State opened its preseason schedule against the Los Angeles Clippers in Honolulu on Oct. 4. The Warriors lost 104-101, with Podziemski finishing with 7 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists during an inconsistent shooting performance.
Podziemski made 2 of 10 attempts from the field and connected on 1 of 4 shots from 3-point range. Those numbers reflected a difficult evening, although one exhibition game cannot fully measure his readiness for the regular season.
Preseason performances are useful opportunities to test adjustments, build chemistry and evaluate decisions under game conditions. For Podziemski, the opener offered an early chance to identify where his offseason work could translate into more consistent offensive production.
The Warriors want him to shoot without hesitation
Curry’s central message was straightforward: when Podziemski has an open 3-point attempt, he should be prepared to take it. Passing up a clean opportunity can allow defenders to recover and reduce the offense’s advantage.
Head coach Steve Kerr has also emphasized decisiveness around open shots. That instruction fits Golden State’s offensive approach, which depends on movement, spacing and quick decisions to prevent opposing defenses from settling into comfortable positions.
Taking every available shot is not the objective. Podziemski still needs to read the defense, recognize passing lanes and choose the right moment to attack. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary hesitation when the correct decision is already clear.
Podziemski has shown he can produce offensively
The young guard enters the season with evidence that he can contribute beyond occasional scoring bursts. During the closing weeks of the 2025-26 campaign, he averaged 18.1 points per game, demonstrating a stronger offensive presence.
That late-season stretch gives Golden State reasons to believe Podziemski can shoulder more responsibility. However, sustaining production across a full season requires consistency, sound shot selection and the ability to contribute even when scoring opportunities become limited.
Podziemski’s role also involves rebounding, ball movement and defensive effort. His value cannot be judged solely by points or 3-point percentage. Becoming a more decisive shooter should complement those responsibilities rather than replace the all-around skills he brings.
Golden State is adjusting its offensive approach
The Warriors have been working on an updated offensive system under Kerr, with greater emphasis on perimeter spacing and creating driving lanes. Such changes require players to recognize openings quickly and understand how their movements affect teammates.
That adjustment makes Curry’s advice particularly relevant. A player who hesitates on an open shot can disrupt spacing, while a decisive response forces defenders to respect the threat and may create opportunities elsewhere on the floor.
Golden State’s preseason loss to the Clippers exposed some of the challenges involved in implementing new ideas. The team had stretches of inconsistent shooting and turnovers, illustrating why execution and familiarity will matter as the regular season approaches.
Podziemski’s development matters to the team’s future
At 23, Podziemski represents part of Golden State’s effort to build around its established core while preparing for the years ahead. Curry remains central to the team’s ambitions, but younger players must continue developing meaningful roles.
Podziemski has expressed confidence in his ability to improve, and his progress will be measured by more than a few preseason performances. The challenge is turning ambition into dependable production against regular-season defenses and higher-stakes competition.
His relationship with Curry offers a valuable learning opportunity. Playing beside an elite shooter can teach Podziemski how defenders react to movement, how quickly windows close and why confident decisions can make an offense more difficult to guard.
Podziemski’s extension secures his long-term future
Golden State announced Brandin Podziemski’s rookie-scale contract extension on Oct. 10, 2026. The reported 5-year, $110 million agreement gives the Warriors a long-term commitment from a young guard whose offensive role continues to grow.
The extension begins in 2027-28 and includes a mutual option for the 2031-32 season. Podziemski remains in the final season of his original rookie contract in 2026-27, with his future beyond that season now addressed.
His next challenge is to keep improving on the court. Making sound decisions, defending consistently and contributing to winning basketball remain central to his development. Curry’s emphasis on decisiveness gives him a practical focus as the regular season approaches.
Podziemski’s preseason performances offer another test
Podziemski followed the opener with a more productive performance against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 6, 2026. He scored 16 points in 19 minutes during Golden State’s 124-98 victory, providing an encouraging glimpse of his offensive potential.
One game does not settle questions about consistency, but the performance showed why the Warriors value his growth. Stronger decisions and efficient scoring would help him make the most of his preseason opportunities.
Curry’s advice concerns habits that extend beyond the exhibition schedule. Podziemski must recognize open looks, trust his preparation and act decisively while exercising good judgment. Those improvements could help both his individual progress and Golden State’s broader goals.
Fun fact: Stephen Curry’s father, Dell Curry, played 16 seasons in the NBA, and Stephen grew up watching him compete professionally.
TL;DR
- Curry praised Podziemski’s improved strength, quickness and determination.
- Podziemski scored 7 points in the Warriors’ 104-101 preseason loss to the Clippers.
- Curry and Kerr want him to take open 3-point shots without unnecessary hesitation.
- Podziemski responded with 16 points in a 124-98 preseason win over the Lakers.
- His development and upcoming contract deadline make the 2026-27 season an important period for his future with Golden State.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
