Podz Reveals What He’ll Miss Most About Klay Next Season

Podz reveals what he’ll miss most about Klay next season, originally published on NBC Sports Bay Area

Once the 2024-25 NBA season begins in October, the absence of Klay Thompson will surely be strange for Warriors fans.

Likewise, it’s the start of a new era in the Warriors’ locker room, from longtime teammates Steph Curry and Draymond Green to Brandin Podziemski, who spent just one season alongside Thompson.

This rather short overlap does not mean that Thompson was not an important figure for Podziemski.

In an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt on Friday at Oracle Park, last season’s NBA All-Rookie First Team honoree revealed what he’ll miss most about Thompson now that the Splash Brother is a Dallas Maverick.

“His presence in the locker room, the veteran quality he shared with all of our younger players,” Podziemski told Britt. “The way he carried himself, his attitude — especially on his off days — the way he practiced, his body that’s now in his 30s.”

Thompson has clearly led by example through his actions as a respected Golden State veteran. And, as Podziemski explained, the four-time NBA champion has also made a vocal impact through his valuable commentary.

“Anytime I needed advice,” Podziemski said, “if it wasn’t Steph, Klay was always there to share it with me.”

The Warriors need to move on, though, and Podziemski appears to be a major part of the organization’s plans post-Klay.

“Nobody’s going to be like Klay Thompson,” the young guard concluded. “We’re just going to do our best to fill that void and take another step.”

Podziemski’s comments came after he took batting practice before the Giants game Friday night. Having grown up playing baseball — not basketball — Podziemski has shown he still has a swing as smooth as his shot.

Although he missed his initial goal of hitting a ball into McCovey Cove, Podziemski’s final swing managed to reach the right-field archway at Oracle Park.

So maybe the next step he mentioned is becoming an all-around athlete? Podziemski alluded to this in a post on X shortly after.

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