"Annoying little brother" - How Golden State Warriors' rookie is defying expectation

In a period that's yet to deliver enough in the way of team success, rookie guard Brandin Podziemski has been one of the major positives for the Golden State Warriors through the first quarter of the season.

The 19th overall pick has been a revelation for the franchise, particularly over the last two games where he played nearly 70 combined minutes and closed both outings against the LA Clippers.

Brandin Podziemksi's on an off-court attitude has seen him earn minutes for the Golden State Warriors early in his rookie season

Podziemski's come a long way over recent months, having been solid but not spectacular over his first stint in a Warrior uniform during Summer League. It was expected the 20-year-old would spend significant time in the G League during his rookie year, yet that no longer appears the case given his impressive play with Golden State. So, how has Podziemski reached this point?

Obviously Podziemski's story goes far further than his brief NBA career to date, but his time at the Warriors has been characterized by a desire to learn from the very best. There's no one better to learn from than Stephen Curry, and the two-time MVP recently spoke about Podziemski's pursuit of excellence in a recent interview with Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle.

"“He is kind of the annoying little brother who asks questions all the time, and he’s always talking. But I love that about him and tell him to tap into it more because his energy is infectious. We know the care factor is there, and I know he listens," Curry said.

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Podziemski's energy is equally impressive on the floor, showcased in his capacity to be a pest as an on-ball defender, make hustle plays at crucial moments, and hunt rebounds on both ends of the floor.

It's those aspects that make the 20-year-old a winning player, along with his skills as a ball-handler, playmaker, shooter and crafty finisher around the rim. He also doesn't make mistakes, leading to faith from head coach Steve Kerr who often doesn't hold such trust in young players.

Podziemski is currently third among all rookies (minimum 14 minutes per game) in average plus-minus, sitting only behind Oklahoma City Thunder pair Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace. The Thunder sit second in the West at 13-6, while the Warriors languish in 11th at 9-11.

Already emerging as one of the best Golden State rookies in recent years, the sky could be the limit for Podziemski as he forges a path alongside one of the best to ever do it.