“We’re gonna have to fill that void and that’s gonna come from multiple people.” With Klay Thompson no longer in the Bay Area, Steve Kerr made it clear that the responsibility of filling the sharpshooter’s shoes does not fall on just one player. Instead, he is hoping for several young stars to step up and contribute. And that includes Brandin Podziemski. However, contrary to the head coach’s expectations, Draymond Green issued a warning to Podz, urging him not to chase the departed Splash Brother’s role.

Well, Podziemski revealed that Kerr and Dunleavy Jr. want him to take 8 to 10 threes a game this season. When Dray was asked if the youngster was ready for his upgraded role, the former DPOY said, “I think he had a pretty big role last year. I’ll warn him to be Brandin. You can fall into the trap of Klay leaving. You gotta be this, gotta be that. No. Be you.”

While Dub Nation would love to have a player like Klay on the roster, Green believes Podz would be “much better off” being himself and excelling in what he does best. “If you doing great, the team, the offense, the organization will adjust to you,” Green added. Sure, Brandin had a noteworthy rookie season averaging 9.2 points while shooting 38.5% from deep range.

So now, the front office and Kerr expect him to take a massive leap this year. But picking up from his personal experience, Dray claimed that attempting to fill somebody else’s role was not the way to do it, “The last thing I wanted to do was try to be David Lee because I knew I couldn’t, No. 1. And No. 2, it’s not my skill set.”

Yes, when Green started his career, David Lee was the Warriors’ star forward. But instead of following in his footsteps, Draymond created his unique identity, and that resulted in him winning four championships. He also claimed that Klay also has a ‘specific skill set’ and no player, in his opinion, might be able to replicate it. Before he got injured, Klay was arguably as good a shooter if not better than Steph. Be it his record 14 threes in a game, 37 points in a quarter or a 60-piece in just eleven dribbles, it was impossible to stop Klay whenever he found his rhythm. And that’s what made him unique. So, his message to Podz was, “Trying to be Klay and trying to be someone you’re not doesn’t suit you that well.” While Draymond is urging players to be themselves, Steve Kerr is hoping for a change.

Steve Kerr demands his veteran center to shoot the occasional 3 following his scrimmage heroics

Well, the Warriors are currently in Hawaii for their training camp, figuring out new rotations and combinations for next season. And Steve Kerr was pleasantly surprised when veteran center Kevon Looney hit a game-winning three from the corner to end, “I am all for it. I want Loon to be, he’s not pick and pop very much, right? He’s a broken play, he’s on the perimeter, shot clock going down, he’s open, let that thing fly. But that’s different from being Kevin Love, you know.”

Obviously, Love is one of the most efficient three-point-shooting big men in the league. Meanwhile, Looney has not attempted even a single deep-range shot in the last 3 seasons because that’s not part of his game. In fact, the hooper has only made 10 of 60 triples that he’s attempted his entire career. Where he excels is inside the paint, grabbing rebounds and getting hustle points.

However, Kerr had a strange demand for him, “Loon still has to be who he is, which is a guy who is getting lot of stuff done in the paint, offensive boards, setting screens. But if he’s open… I want him to shoot it actually.” So, don’t be surprised if you see the big man pulling up from deep whenever he is open!

Do you think the Warriors stars should stick to their role and excel at it like Dray advised or take on a new challenge to fulfil Kerr’s new demands? What would you have done?

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.