In a move that has set social media abuzz, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski shared a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday. The post simply read “2028” accompanied by an eyes emoji, leading to widespread speculation among fans and pundits alike. With the 2024 Paris Olympics currently capturing global attention, many have interpreted Podziemski’s message as a hint towards his ambition to compete for Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
2028👀
— Brandin Podziemski (@brandinpodziem2) August 3, 2024
The 21-year-old player, who recently landed a spot on the All-Rookie First Team for his impressive performance in the 2023-24 NBA season, has clearly set his sights high. His season averages of 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, coupled with shooting percentages of 45.4% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc, demonstrate his potential to grow into a key player for Team USA.
However, not all reactions to Podziemski’s post have been supportive. In fact, many fans took to X to roast the young guard for his seemingly ambitious plans.
“You gon be the Hali of this team at best,” one fan tweeted, referring to fellow NBA player Tyrese Haliburton.
Another tweet sarcastically listed, “2028 stats: 237 hand claps, 16 bottles passed, 39 ‘good jobs’, 28 bags carried,” while another chimed in with, “Yea ant and Tatum need waters passed,” referring to NBA stars Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum.
Other fans mocked the idea of Podziemski making the main squad, suggesting he might end up playing for Narnia or joking about his potential eligibility for Poland’s national team: “He gonna try to get Polish citizenship,” a fan tweeted.
i love podz but cmon man 😂 pic.twitter.com/4Rl7jlmFK8
— PodzSzn (@RJ7002) August 3, 2024
Despite the criticism, it’s important to note that Brandin Podziemski has already made strides toward his Olympic dreams. He was chosen for the USA Select Team roster ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, a significant achievement in itself. The select team is designed to train with the main Team USA squad, providing invaluable experience and exposure to some of the best players and coaches in the sport.
“You can’t get anything better than that,” Brandin Podziemski said about playing for the select team. “I think for a US basketball player, especially in the summer, you always want to play against the best and compete against the best and show what you got. You learn from this and take what you can from this and apply it for the rest of the summer leading into your season.”
Historically, being part of the select team has paved the way for many players to join Team USA. Notable names like Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, and Kawhi Leonard have all been part of the select team before making it to the main roster.
Journalistically speaking, Podziemski’s ambition is commendable. While the road to the 2028 Olympics is long and fraught with challenges, his early declaration could be seen as a motivating factor, pushing him to continually improve and reach for the stars. At the same time, the mixed reactions from fans highlight the often harsh and critical nature of sports fandom, where players are scrutinized not just for their performance on the court but also for their ambitions and declarations off it.
In the grand scheme of things, Podziemski’s post serves as a reminder of the drive and determination required to succeed at the highest levels of sport. His journey from being a promising rookie to potentially representing his country on the Olympic stage will be one to watch. Whether he makes it to the 2028 Olympics or not, his bold declaration has already sparked a conversation about his potential and the ever-evolving landscape of basketball talent.
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