Podziemski shares why he keeps taking the mid-range shot despite the analytics saying otherwise.
The Golden State Warriors have been up and down this season and currently sit at 15-15, which puts them right at .500 as they head into the Christmas Day matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.
Despite the team's struggles, third-year guard Brandin Podziemski has found ways to contribute and continues to grow as a player, even if his role has shifted from starter to coming off the bench.
In a league that has moved away from the mid-range shot in favor of threes and layups, Podziemski made it clear that he is not going to abandon a shot he loves taking.
Podziemski on His Mid-Range Game
"Yeah one thing about me, I love shooting the mid-range shot, even though it's bad analytically I love shooting them," Podziemski said. "If you're going to shoot them you got to shoot them at a really high clip, percentage wise. So I feel really confident, really comfortable doing that, and when opportunity presents itself. I'm going to take full advantage of it."
It is a refreshing mindset from the young guard, who understands that if he is going to take a shot that analytics say is inefficient, then he needs to make sure he is knocking them down at a high rate.
Podziemski is averaging 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three-point range.
Strong Outing Against the Magic
Podziemski put together one of his better games of the season on Monday night during the Warriors' 120-97 win over the Orlando Magic.
He came off the bench and finished with 16 points, five assists and four rebounds while the Warriors outscored the Magic by 36 points during his 27-plus minutes on the floor.
It was exactly the kind of efficient, high-impact performance that shows what Podziemski can bring when he is comfortable in his role.
Why Podziemski Still Matters
Even though Podziemski has dealt with some inconsistencies this season and has moved to a bench role, he remains a valuable piece for Golden State.
He is still one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA and has shown flashes of being a connective playmaker who can get into the paint and make things happen.
His three-point shooting has actually improved this season compared to last year, and he has the confidence to take shots in big moments.
The Warriors are still trying to figure out how to get the most out of their roster, but Podziemski's willingness to embrace his mid-range game and his ability to impact winning when he is on the floor shows why the team exercised his fourth-year option.
As the season goes on, look for Podziemski to keep finding ways to contribute whether it is from three-point range, the mid-range or getting to the basket.