With #23 stitched across his chest, San Francisco’s bravest warrior enters year 14. Draymond Green dreams of a fifth championship ring, just like Stephen Curry does. However, the legends of the Bay are in the twilight of their glorious careers. And the torchbearer? Well, for now, there might be a few young guns on the list. Among them, Brandin Podziemski has raised his hand.

The 22-year-old, entering his third NBA season, aims to make an even bigger impact. His goal for the season is clear. “How can I have their (Warriors vets) trust? And they can go to Joe (Lacob) and Mike (Dunleavy) and be like, ‘Hey, we want to leave it with him. He’s going to continue what we’re leaving.’ So, I think about that all time, and I set myself up in that position, to have that,” Podz admitted to The Athletic.

Meanwhile, after Sunday’s practice, a reporter asked Draymond Green about Brandin Podziemski stepping up to carry the Warriors. The vet praised his confidence and respect. Yet he also dropped some wisdom, reminding the young guard that talent is only part of the journey and timing matters too.

“But as a leader for him, you also understand what that comes with, you know. And so with him, I say, ‘Be careful… Like I said, as a leader, you want the young fella next to you grinding and wanting to take that. That’s what you want. But talk to us about it. Don’t tell everybody else. Don’t let them use it against you. So he will be there, no question,” Draymond Green expressed.

The Bay Area veteran also warned Brandin Podziemski to guard his words carefully. Sharing too much gives others ammo to tear you down. As fans, we know he said that from experience. While currently sharing the leadership role with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green sees the potential in Podz to eventually lead this team. Still, a single misstep can cause a blunder. He kept on specifying that now isn’t the time for the 22-year-old.

“But it ain’t his time to be that yet. So I’m not gonna let everybody try to force that on him right now. He don’t even have the opportunity to be that yet. So he will continue to grow. And he continue to grow, he gonna walk right into it. But don’t try to force that on him right now. Because the opportunity ain’t there,” Green said.

During the presser, Green also opened up about how his mother had told him to “be a kid” as long as he could. While each one of us, during our childhoods, has wanted to be all grown-up and make money, the hoopster’s mother stressed, “So much more comes with it when you get to the spot where you want to go.”

Besides, the Warriors’ floor general has always been supportive of the young gun who once struggled with shooting his shots on the floor. Last season wasn’t particularly kind to Podz. And well, external pressure was seemingly not motivating the 22-year-old; he began doubting himself and questioning his abilities instead. “Shut up!” Dray told him, not out of frustration, but care.

Therefore, now, when Podz is hungry to become the next leader and the next big name for the Golden State Warriors, Green is on his side. However, there is one aspect that the former DPOY wants everyone, including the media, to keep in mind. Or, instead, a warning of sorts?

Draymond Green asks the media to back off from the Brandin Podziemski case

Dray pointed out how the media piles on pressure, pushing players to rush their growth whenever they speak boldly, like Podz did about Curry and the Warriors.

“Although we all have the utmost confidence in him and what he’s going to become, I don’t want him to jump the gun on that and allow people to use it against him. People try to speed your clock up, like, ‘Oh man, you should be doing this now’… And I would hate to see that happen to him. Because if they try to speed up your clock, but you don’t quite have the opportunity to do what they’re trying to speed you up to do, then it’s an unfair shot,” Green went on.

Last season, Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while knocking down 37.2% of his three-pointers. Entering his third NBA year, he has shown flashes of skill and confidence, but the journey to becoming a potential franchise player for the Warriors is just beginning…

Brandin Podziemski is walking a tightrope between promise and pressure. Although he doesn’t need to worry too much about falling out of favor, because Kerr has repeatedly referred to the youngster as a connector of sorts (which means “the ability to play with any lineup,” as the head coach once explained), Podz still needs to put up decent performances to consistently keep up with four of his teammates who collectively have 26 All-Star Game appearances.

Do you think the Warriors have their next big name in the making?