Brandin Podziemski on Steph Curry and Draymond Green’s Impact and Golden State’s Hot Start

Draymond Green #23 high-fives Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski witnessed first-hand the "electric" atmosphere in Chase Center when Klay Thompson made his return to the Bay Area during last Tuesday's Warriors game against the Mavericks.

In a game that every bit lived up to the hype, the Warriors defeated the Mavericks, 120-117, in their first in-season tournament game. Golden State was able to outlast Dallas despite Thompson's 22 points in his first game back home since leaving the Warriors in the offseason.

Podziemski, who played 17 minutes in the game and was one of 11 Warriors to see action, says it felt like a "playoff atmosphere" at the arena.

"It was electric, it felt like a playoff atmosphere," says Podziemski in a one-on-one interview with RG on behalf of his partnership with Invisalign. "A bunch of our guys that played in Oracle said it kind of had that feel. Obviously, I never got to experience that, but I do trust what they say. It was different. It was a different crowd than I've ever been a part of at Chase Center and partially because of Klay, because of the tournament and all these emotions put into one. The crowd was electric."

Rather than focusing on the Thompson versus Warriors narrative, Podziemski attributes the crowd's enthusiasm to the fact that it was an in-season tournament game and that Golden State did not qualify for it last season.

Lessons from Klay Thompson

Podziemski saw major playing time during his rookie campaign in his lone season as a teammate with Thompson. The No. 19 overall pick in the draft averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 26.6 minutes per game on 45.4% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc while earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.

He started 28 of his 74 appearances while slotted behind Thompson and Steph Curry on the depth chart. While he only spent one season with Thompson, he says he learned a lot from the 34-year-old guard, especially when it pertains to having a life outside of the NBA.

"I think our relationship was solid," says Podziemski of his relationship with Thompson.

"I think, not really sharing the same position as him, but kind of sharing the same qualities as a person as Klay, I learned a lot from him. I learned his preparation, how he goes about things. I would say, I tell people all the time, the biggest thing I learned from him is it's OK to have a life outside of basketball and still be successful. For me, all my life, the impression has been that everything has to revolve around basketball in some way."

The 21-year-old guard points to the success of both Thompson and Curry as prime examples of all-time great players having major interests in life outside of basketball.

"I think him and Steph are prime examples of, they have their own personal life and things they enjoy doing besides basketball and they're still Hall of Fame players," says Podziemski. "That's where obviously all of us want to get to. For me, just being able to understand – yeah, he's 13 years ahead of me right now – but at the same time, when he was younger, still had time to put basketball aside because it's what we do, it's not who we are. I think that's just something – basketball aside – I really took from Klay."

Why Golden State is Off to a Hot Start

The Warriors are off to a sensational start to the 2024-25 season with a 10-2 record, the second-best mark in the Western Conference and the third-best one in the entire NBA. They're doing so behind a revamped lineup featuring newcomers Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson along with a 12-man rotation, a rare strategy utilized by veteran head coach Steve Kerr.

Podziemski details that the Warriors are winning with a fast-paced offense along with stout defense. Golden State ranks fourth in offensive and defensive rating.

"It becomes easier that way," Podziemski explains of the team's strategic approach. "Space, we've really done a good job of understanding just kind of where we're supposed to be in terms of spots, not even what we're supposed to do, just being in the right spacing to let our athletic guys be athletic, give Steph his space, and everybody else just kind of falls into place that way."

Steph Curry and Draymond Green Lead The Way

Curry remains as good as he's ever been, coming off of a Clutch Player of the Year award and converting on 47.9% of his field goal attempts and 43.2% of his shots from beyond the arc. His 3-point shooting efficiency is his highest since the 2018-19 season. However, he's averaging just 22.7 points per game, his lowest average since the 2011-12 season due to reduced minutes at just 28.8 minutes per game. It's all a part of Kerr's strategy in utilizing the 12-man rotation and relying on strength in numbers, rather than just one guy, to win games.

Podziemski details what he's learned from Curry and Draymond Green, two veterans who have won four championships with the Warriors.  

"Obviously Steph gets the limelight because he makes the shots, he does the crazy stuff and it works," says Podziemski.

"Obviously, it works because he puts a lot of time into it. Draymond is the definition of a winner to me, just because of every little thing, all those little marginal things during the course of a game that you need to go right, that people often don't point out, he's always making that play."

"I think that's kind of rubbed off on me," Podziemski continues to say. "It's helped me, even in my first year, just making those little plays you don't see. The little box-outs that don't let the other team get it, the charges, the diving on the floor for loose balls, covering up for someone else's mistake, all those little things that over the course of the grand scheme of things, we win the Finals, no one's going to mention. But it's things that help winning, such marginal things that everyone can do, but, do you want to do them? I think that's what separates a lot of players in the league of being winners and just being highly skilled players."

Partnership With Invisalign

Podziemski, who began his partnership with Invisalign 10 weeks ago in September, speaks glowingly about the product which helps straighten your teeth with aligners.

"I've been with them for about 10 weeks now," says Podziemski. "Started in mid-September and it's been nothing but success for me. I've been able to see my progress from week one until 10, which has been great to see. Obviously, the Invisalign appliance itself is easy, convenient to use, clean, and carry with me on the road."

The 21-year-old guard – who says teammate Kevon Looney helped introduce him to the brand – says using the teeth aligner has helped improve his confidence and his smile to go along with it.

"All the kind of things that make it easy for me and in terms of our appointments, they make it very schedule-friendly for me and kind of work around what I have going on, which has been great and so it's been nothing but a success so far," says Podziemski of using Invisalign.