Warriors’ Podziemski motivated by lightweight NBA Rookie of the Month originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski wasn’t too happy when the NBA announced the Western Conference Rookie of the Month vote for February and his name wasn’t even among the players considered.
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama took home honors for a second consecutive month, while Keyonte George of Utah Jazz, Chet Holmgren of Oklahoma City Thunder And Amen Thompson of Houston Rockets all were nominated.
Podziemski naturally felt that he deserved some recognition and said he was motivated by the slight.
“One hundred percent,” Podziemski said Tuesday. “I played all the matches in February; we went 11-3. Led our team in plus-minus, led all rookies in plus-minus. Any stats that aim to help your team win, I lead in those categories. That’s what matters most to me, and I think that’s what matters most to a team in terms of winning.
It’s hard to argue with Wembanyama’s victory. The 7-foot-4 center averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.9 blocks in the 12 games he played in February.
Podziemski’s name should have at least come up in the conversation, however. The No. 19 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft averaged 10.8 points on 43 percent shooting in 14 games, while grabbing 6.7 rebounds and dishing out 5.6 assists per night.
On Sunday, Podziemski took to social media and posted the results of the Rookie of the Month vote, adding a “take notes” emoji.
“I should have at least been part of the conversation, for sure,” Podziemski said Tuesday.
There was also some good news for Podziemski and the Warriors this week.
After the announced recruit was kept out of Sunday’s stunning defeat against Boston Celtics due to a lower back strain he suffered during last Thursday’s game against the New York KnicksPodziemski was cleared by Golden State’s medical staff and was a full participant in Tuesday’s practice.
“It was tough,” Podziemski said of not playing the Celtics. “I wanted to play, but it was an advantage for me to see things from a different perspective. It was definitely an advantage, but as a competitor you want to be there to play.
