Game 21: GSW vs Portland. Brandin Podziemski on Steph and stripping Harden. Plus open thread.
NBA Cup consolation game
Inspirational verse from Brandin Podziemski - postgame (12⧸2⧸23)
What does it mean to you to be on the floor at crunch time in a game like that?
I mean, as a competitor, that's what you live for. And for me as a rookie, that's a goal of mine. It's just to earn the trust of the coaching staff. And to be out there during crunch time, it stinks when you lose. But I think I did all right.
What's the biggest thing that you've learned from Steph in playing a game like this?
Yeah, just being poised and not letting any outside noise kind of get to you. Steph, the amount of stuff he has to go through on a daily basis, the stuff he has to deal with, just blocking that out and staying poised in the moment. Definitely a carryover effect into my game.
Is that something you've been doing this whole time, watching Steph's workouts? And then I know you worked out with him during the summer too, but what are some things you really learned from that?
Yeah, I mean, he's the greatest player in my position, you know, ever. [I knew this kid was a scholar of the game! -EA] So to have that at my fingertips every single day, people would pay endless amount of money to watch that. And I get to watch it for free every day. So it's kind of taking advantage of an opportunity. And I kind of admire him. And he was my favorite player. But just to see the things he does, it's something I want to be when he hangs it up.
Draymond said that rookies don't blow up plays like you do defensively. They usually eff up plays. How have you been able to be so impactful for this team?
I think I fit this team perfectly just in the fact that I'm not the most athletic above the rim athlete, but I'm smart. I see the game. I watch a lot of basketball. So just knowing time and score, what teams need, what they're looking for. Obviously, it's going to be in one of their main guys' hands. And I think Thursday night, just kind of something I recognized on the fly. It wasn't something I necessarily knew that was coming.
You had a strip of Harden in the second half. And I know the coaching staff right now is just hammering “defend without fouling”. How do you kind of decide when to go for a strip?
Yeah, I was just sick of him scoring the ball, getting past me. I just wanted to make something happen. I ended up turning the ball over right after it. But it's kind of hard to guard guys like that just because they do a good job of manipulating the rules because previous play before that, he bumps me. I get a block called, then he comes off the screen, shoots a three. So for me, I was just trying to make a play. I knew if that went in, probably we would have called a timeout. So I just trust my instincts.
GAME DETAILS
WHEN: 2023-12-06 7:00 PM Pacific
WHO: Golden State Warriors vs Portland
WATCH: NBCSN Bay Area
Post game: https://dubnationhq.com/p/post-game-steph-sparkles-kuminga
Whoa, how the heck was Jokic 9-32 tonight?
That’s like a typical Wiggs + Klay line. Except Wiggs and Klay don’t really rebound or pass.