Podz offers practical perspective on Klay’s departure from the Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
It’s time to move on.
Here’s how 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 during the summer and not see (Thompson’s) plaque up there, but the past is the past,” Podziemski told reporters after the conference. Warriors 132-74 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at the Chase Center.
“Klay is a great player, a great person and we are going to miss him this year, but we can’t think about that. We have a new team, 6-0 (preseason record), so it’s time to reset.” “Looking ahead to Wednesday in Portland, how can we keep the flow going and make stops?”
Thompson’s off-season departure to the Dallas Mavericks shook the NBA world, but there is plenty for him Warriors to be excited about after an undefeated preseason and their first regular-season game against the Trail Blazers is scheduled for Wednesday.
Both Podziemski and center Trayce Jackson-Davis They look to make an even bigger impact in their second season with the Warriors, and offseason additions Buddy Hield, De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson have already provided a spark.
New assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse has also brought some different defensive looks to the court, much to Podziemski’s delight.
“I think Jerry has brought a different dynamic on the defensive end, which has been really great for us,” Podziemski continued. “It’s something the veterans haven’t even seen (before) that we’re doing as far as coverage and rotation, so it’s been a little adjustment for everyone.
“But I think in the long run it’s going to work, and it has worked during the preseason.”
It’s a new era for the Warriors and one without Thompson. But so far, the offense looks sharp and the defense is stifling, all positive signs that good things are to come despite a major offseason loss.
