Steve Kerr defends Brandin Podziemski’s late 3-point attempt – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
Brandin Podziemski had a possibility for a signature second in his younger NBA profession on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.
But his shot got here up simply quick, and Golden State ultimately lost 110-107 to the New York Knicks.
Trailing by one level, Podziemski gathered a rebound off a Knicks miss with about 32 seconds left within the recreation. The third-year guard superior the ball into the frontcourt, began to drive in opposition to Knicks star Jalen Brunson, however then stepped again to launch a 3-point attempt. The shot hit the entrance of the rim, and the Knicks gathered the rebound, decreasing the remainder of the sport to a free-throw battle.
A step-back 3-point attempt appeared questionable, particularly with 16 seconds remaining on the shot clock and a two-for-one alternative basically out of attain.
But coach Steve Kerr did not query it.
“Loved it. I didn’t want to call a time out; I wanted to play in flow,” Kerr instructed reporters after the loss. “He had Brunson on him, he seemed like he was going to assault, and Brunson backed up.
“I love it, take the three, go for the throat.”
Podziemski certainly went for the throat. Despite the miss, his coach appreciated the aggressiveness.
In the Warriors’ possession previous to the missed 3-pointer, Podziemski’s aggressiveness was on show. He transformed a layup with an efficient drive on a pick-and-roll play, slicing the Knicks’ result in one.
After the Knicks missed on the opposite finish, Podziemski took the ball up with the identical aggressiveness. Perhaps Brunson stored the earlier play in thoughts, as he gave Podziemski some area to maintain him in entrance.
The step-back transfer gave Podziemski a gap, however Brunson recovered to supply an honest contest on the shot. It’s a shot the Knicks in all probability have been OK with permitting, as they’d have had ample time on their subsequent possession had Podziemski transformed.
However, Kerr gave full help for his 23-year-old guard’s determination to go for the throat.
Silver linings do not assist the Warriors within the standings, however on the very least, the short-handed and younger Warriors gained the expertise of enjoying in high-leverage conditions.
“They’re all gaining valuable experience right now playing these big minutes against great teams,” Kerr defined. “Understanding what it takes to win a game on the road; gave ourselves a chance.”
The Warriors have been massive underdogs heading into their matchup with the Knicks, with key gamers like Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton and Kristaps Porzingis out resulting from harm administration. Al Horford and Seth Curry have been additionally out due to injuries they suffered in Friday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Podziemski completed the sport with a team-high 25 factors on 8-of-15 capturing from the sphere.
He has made the many of the alternative with a big a part of the crew’s offensive firepower lacking, averaging 19.7 factors on 47.6-percent capturing from the sphere and 43.1-percent 3-point capturing in his final seven video games.
