Dub Hub: Steve Kerr calls out Brandin Podziemski’s decision-making in loss vs. Nuggets

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Wednesday, December 4th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr calls out Brandin Podziemski’s decision-making following the team’s 119-115 loss against the Nuggets.
• Draymond Green gives an update on his calf injury during the latest episode of The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.
• The full schedule for the NBA Cup Knockout Rounds is officially set with the quarterfinals beginning next Tuesday.

Tensions are beginning to rise as the Golden State Warriors extended their losing streak to five-straight games following Tuesday’s 119-115 loss against the Denver Nuggets. Although it was yet another game that the Warriors had a legitimate opportunity to win, they conceded 22 points off turnovers and 35 free-throw attempts to the Nuggets, highlighting the self-inflicted mistakes that would eventually cost them the game.

Head coach Steve Kerr specifically pointed out Brandin Podziemski, delivering a stern message to the second-year guard who made several key errors throughout Tuesday night’s game.

Starting for the third game in a row, Podziemski finished the night shooting 6-of-11 from the field for 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. He was also responsible for two of the Warriors’ 15 turnovers on the night and committed five of the team’s 25 fouls, including a crucial one late in the game on a Michael Porter Jr. three-point attempt. After the game, Podziemski took accountability for his performance and welcomed the tough criticisms by Kerr.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Wednesday, December 4th:

Warriors News:

Steve Kerr rips Brandin Podziemski after late mistakes doom Warriors in Denver | The Athletic

Kerr’s frustration with Podziemski continued early in the third quarter. He pressed up too far on a Michael Porter Jr. 3-point attempt and tapped him on the arm, drawing a whistle. Podziemski tried to plead his case that he hadn’t committed a foul, but when Kerr pressed him to answer whether it would be reversed on a challenge, he admitted he did.

“He can’t foul jump shooters,” Kerr said.

Kerr then spent about 45 seconds while Porter was shooting the free throws lighting into Podziemski near the sideline.

Warriors’ Steve Kerr furious with refs over missed Nuggets timeout call

“Braun called a timeout,” Kerr said. “He dove on the floor, he rolled over. Everybody saw it except for the three guys we hire to do the games, and that makes me angry. That’s a technical foul. They don’t have a timeout left. We shoot a free throw, we get the ball, we got a chance to win the game.

“They [the officials] all told me they didn’t see it. ... It’s up to the referees to see [it]. That’s why we have three of them. Somebody’s got to see it. So yeah, that made me mad.”

Steph identifies Warriors change that could be here to stay | NBC Sports Bay Area

Curry’s rotation of when he came out of the game, and back in, was different than usual in the Warriors’ eventual 119-115 loss to the Nuggets, something that was his idea before anyone else.

“Just wanted to change it up,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We lost four in a row. We were losing the Steph minutes when he was sitting eight straight minutes. Those stretches of the game have been tough. It was actually his suggestion the other day.

“He came to me and said, ‘If you need me to do that, I’m happy to do it.’ We liked it.”

Warriors play the Rockets next Wednesday in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals

Draymond Green gives an update about the calf injury that kept him out of Tuesday’s game

NBA News:

Kevin Durant suffers left ankle sprain vs. Spurs | NBA

Durant was injured when he stepped on the foot of San Antonio’s Julian Champagnie while getting ready to shoot with 4:30 left in the second quarter. He departed 39 seconds later.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after the win it is too soon to know if Durant would miss any additional time.

“He stepped on somebody’s foot in transition, and at halftime it stiffened up,” Budenholzer said. “We’ll have to evaluate him in the morning and see how he feels, see how he does overnight.”

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant prioritizing health over highlight dunks | ESPN

“Sometimes I get knocked out the air and [a foul] don’t get called, and now I’m out longer than what I’m supposed to be,” Morant said, explaining why he doesn’t want to dunk in traffic. “Sometimes the foul might get called; I still hit the floor, but after the game you might feel that little fall. So I just pick and choose, man. Hey, two points is two points. I get it done. That’s all that matters.”

Morant, who is averaging 22.0 points and 8.6 assists for the 14-8 Grizzlies, understands that fans might feel let down when he ends drives to the basket or fast breaks in routine fashion. He didn’t mind Mavs fans booing his admittedly boring dunk Tuesday night.

“Hey, I’m fine with that. Continue to boo me,” Morant said with a smile. “Hey, I got two points. It was still a dunk. It was just not the dunk they wanted to see. But if they boo me off a little rim-grazer, I’m fine with that.”

Full Knockout Round schedule for NBA Cup

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Nuggets

Trayce Jackson-Davis

22 minutes, 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 3-for-5 shooting, 1-for-2 free throws, 59.5% TS, +5

I didn’t expect TJD to play 22 minutes off the bench, but playing a team with a great center (who played 40 minutes), while not having Green available meant a steady role for Jackson-Davis, and he played really well.

There are certainly still holes, but he’s really been improving his defense lately (look, Jokić is gonna get his, no matter who is defending him), and also finding more ways to get to his spots on offense, while also contributing when he’s not scoring.

Grade: A-

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