Podz offers a realistic perspective on Klay’s Warriors exit, originally appearing on NBC Sports Bay Area
It’s time to move on.
Thus, Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski approaches a 2024-25 NBA season that looks very different for Golden State without franchise icon Klay Thompson in the locker room.
“It was definitely strange to come in in the summer and see nothing [Thompson’s] nameplate up there, but the past is the past,” Podziemski told reporters after the Warriors’ 132-74 preseason win over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday at Chase Center.
“Klay is a great player, a great person and we are going to miss him this year, but we can’t dwell on it. We have a new team, 6-0 [preseason record] now it’s time to reset everything. How can we get things flowing and stopped in Portland on Wednesday?”
Thompson’s offseason departure to the Dallas Mavericks rocked the NBA world, but there’s plenty for the Warriors to be excited about after an undefeated preseason and their regular season opener against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Both Podziemski and center Trayce Jackson-Davis are looking to make an even bigger impact in their second seasons with the Warriors, and offseason signings Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson have already provided the spark.
New assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse has also brought some other defensive looks to the floor, much to Podziemski’s delight.
“I think Jerry’s brought a different dynamic to the defense, which has been really great for us,” Podziemski continued. “It’s something the vets haven’t even seen yet [before] that we’re doing it in terms of coverage and rotation, so that was a little adjustment for everyone.
“But I think it will work in the long run, and it has worked throughout the preseason.”
It’s a new era for the Warriors, and one without Thompson. But so far, the offense looks bright and the defense is suffocating — all positive signs of good things to come, despite one big loss this offseason.
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