After a turbulent offseason, the Golden State Warriors roster projects to be among the most competitive in the Western Conference.
Steve Kerr has a plethora of veteran talent to lean on, including four-time NBA champions Draymond Green and Stephen Curry. The addition of Al Horford will also be huge for the Warriors’ overall approach on both sides of the court.
During a recent discussion with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Green revealed his confidence in the new-look Warriors’ ability to contend for a title this season.
“When I talk about [winning four rings], I am at a loss for words, because how did we end up in that position? It takes you back, and you have to snap out of it real quick because we know what it takes to get it done,” Green said. “I think if we stay healthy, I don’t see any team out there that we can’t beat.”
Not only will Warriors fans be excited to see Curry, Green, and Horford get to work, but they also have Jimmy Butler on the roster, who, with a full preseason under his belt, should shine in Kerr’s system. Golden State’s rotation is stacked, and that’s before we even look at some of the younger talents trying to establish themselves.
Brandin Podziemski Wants To Be Up Next
Brandin Podziemski is one of those younger talents looking to prove himself as part of the Warriors’ future. He’s shone during his first two years in the NBA and is certainly a high-upside prospect who is already making an impact.
Nevertheless, it would appear Podziemski has loftier goals. When speaking with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, the third-year wing noted how he wants to take over the reins of the franchise once Curry and Draymond call time on their careers.
“When they leave this thing, they got to leave it with somebody,” Podziemski said. “How can I have their trust? And they can go to (owner) Joe (Lacob) and (general manager) Mike (Dunleavy) and be like, “Hey, we want to leave it with him. He’s going to continue what we’re leaving. So, I think about that all time, and I set myself up in that position, to have that. And there’s a lot of other things than just skill that you need to be in that position.”
In his two seasons with Golden State, Podziemski is averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 44.5% shooting. Young players typically take a developmental jump in year three, which means he could emerge as a core piece of Kerr’s roster. If that leap does occur, Podizemski could very well be an integral part of Golden State’s future.
Steve Kerr Not Expecting To Retire
Steve Kerr is in the final year of his current contract. The veteran head coach is entering his 12th season on the Warriors’ hot seat. During a recent appearance on the The TK Show with Tim Kawakami, Kerr noted how he isn’t expecting to step away from his role in the near future.
“I just want to make sure everything feels right — for me, for the players, for the organization,” Kerr told Kawakami on the podcast. “There’s always an expiration date with coaching jobs, and if it stops clicking, that’s when it’s time to go. But I don’t think we’re there…I love what I do. I’d imagine I’ll keep doing this. By no means am I looking at this as the last dance or my last dance.”
If the core four of Curry, Green, Horford and Butler can all stay healthy, they have more than enough talent and depth to contend for a championship. Of course, they will face a difficult challenge as they look to come out of a loaded Western Conference.
Fortunately, the Warriors know exactly what it takes to win, and that experience could be the difference maker.
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