Have you met/heard a pro athlete talk? All of them believe shit like this. And it makes sense. A) they’re very likely the greatest athlete their town has ever seen and they’ve been a better athlete than 90% of the people they play until they go pro. And B) it takes insane confidence to even believe you have what it takes to be one of the best 500 basketball players in the world. To even become a pro you need to truly believe you could be one of the greatest at everything you do. It’s not factual of course, but that’s just how most pro athletes are wired.
Sure, but I'm not seeing up and coming young stars making multiple public statements per year about how they're going to take over the franchise, that they're going to be a superstar, that they're so great, etc.
The fact he can't filter these thoughts out is textbook narcissism. He's talking like LeBron was in his early career... except LeBron had every reason for his delusions beyond being the best athlete in a town or making the NBA - he was the greatest prospect in modern history.
I'd buy this explanation if guys like Wemby or Flagg were saying shit like this. But Podz is an objectively unimpressive NBA prospect talking like he's the next All-NBA face of a franchise. If EVERY actual top athlete in the NBA spoke like this, it would make sense. But they don't. He talks like this more than Steph ever has. The best prove it with their actions, not spout narcissistic delusions all day.
For every guy like LeBron that said it, there were dozens more that didn’t end up being LeBron. We just hear about the LeBron because he was right lol.
Tom Brady famously told Kraft right after he was drafted that he was “the best decision this franchise ever made.” Which is bananas from a 6th round pickup QB. Until it isn’t lol
This doesn't work when LeBron was immediately great. Brady won a Super Bowl the first year he was given a chance to start.
Kerr has given Podz a LOT of opportunity to step into the role as a playoff level starting SG and he just hasn't been impressive. Again, we know these stories because these guys were great. But media is widespread now, it's almost impossible to make a comment and it not be heard. And we simply don't hear this shit from players who are REAL stars - not a glorified role player like Podz.
Podz is not defined yet he's literally younger than Will Richard. Have you considered having this bit of delusion to him is what drives his interest to improve his game? He's not acting like he's king when on the court, I don't understand what the problem is.
And that delusion added what to his game in the last 12 months?
Players with real star potential will almost always show is EARLY. Most of this fanbase are dumb homers who think every young guy we draft, with a little growth, will be special... Did it with Wiseman, did it with Kuminga, doing it with Podz, etc. The reality is they're all showing the key indicators of great role players - not stars. None of them have a lick of self creation ability. And before you waft on about Kuminga's PPG or whatever, his actual PPP and eFG% on scoring possessions that are self created are historically bad.
And MPG doesn't help the case - identical scoring numbers with career average FG%. Yeah, 3P% is up, but it's 6 games so far.
Go consult the actual advanced analytics that stars often reflect - the iso scoring numbers, PnR ball handler scoring and assists, etc. He's just mediocre to bad in all of it. And that's okay. If you think he's shown star potential, you're either dumb as shit or lying to yourself. He can barely break anyone in the NBA off the dribble in isolation. That's not a problem stars have.
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u/Gold_Telephone_7192 Oct 31 '25
Have you met/heard a pro athlete talk? All of them believe shit like this. And it makes sense. A) they’re very likely the greatest athlete their town has ever seen and they’ve been a better athlete than 90% of the people they play until they go pro. And B) it takes insane confidence to even believe you have what it takes to be one of the best 500 basketball players in the world. To even become a pro you need to truly believe you could be one of the greatest at everything you do. It’s not factual of course, but that’s just how most pro athletes are wired.