Golden State Warriors veteran Draymond Green shared some insightful advice for his teammate Brandin Podziemski as the young guard prepares for his sophomore season. With Klay Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, Podziemski is expected to take on a more prominent role in the 2024-25 campaign.
Green’s message to Podziemski was simple: be himself. “I think he had a pretty big role last year,” Green said. “I’ll warn him to be Brandin. You can fall into the trap of so many people saying, ‘Klay’s leaving, you gotta be this, gotta do this.’ No. Be you.”
The four-time champion emphasized that Podziemski should focus on his own strengths rather than trying to fill Thompson’s shoes. “He will have a lot better opportunity to succeed by being himself than trying to fill somebody else’s role,” he said.
Drawing from his own experience, Green shared how he avoided the pressure of replacing former Warriors star David Lee when he first entered the league. “When I started, the last thing I wanted to do was try and be David Lee,” Green explained. “Because I couldn’t, number one. Number two, it’s not my skill set. That’s not how I’m going to best impact the game.”
Green continued to encourage Podziemski to focus on what he does best, stating that the team would adjust to his unique skill set. “If you do great things on the court, if there is something that you do great, do that,” Green advised. “If you do it great, the team, offense, and organization will adjust to it because it calls for an adjustment.”
He also noted that no player could replicate Thompson’s unique talents. “Trying to be Klay or trying to be someone that you’re not does not suit you that well,” Green said. “Klay has a very specific skill set that if I’m honest, there is not one other NBA player with that skill set.”
During his rookie season, Podziemski averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while starting 28 games. Green’s guidance encourages the young guard to build on these solid numbers by focusing on his strengths rather than attempting to replace Thompson’s legendary presence on the court.
Green’s parting words to Podziemski summed up his advice: “Be the best you that you can be. That usually works.”
As the Warriors aim to remain competitive in a tough Western Conference, the team will look to players like Podziemski to step up. With Green’s mentorship and Podziemski’s potential, the Warriors could find new ways to thrive in the post-Thompson era.
