The Golden State Warriors have been figuring out who will play alongside Stephen Curry in the backcourt.
Training Camp Contenders
As training camp kicked off, three players were vying for the spot: Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, and De’Anthony Melton. After a week of tough practices and one preseason game, Melton seems to have secured the starting position. In their recent win against the Clippers, Melton impressed everyone with his all-around skills and got praise from Coach Kerr for how well he played with Curry.
Kerr’s Thoughts on the Duo
“They look great together,” said Kerr about Curry and Melton. “Steph might not have shot well, but they work well as a team. De’Anthony can shoot and make plays while being strong on defense. I’m really impressed with him and our offense.”
Melton’s Defensive Edge
According to The Athleticโs Anthony Slater, Melton is favored to start when the Warriors face the Blazers on October 23rd. One big reason Kerr prefers Melton over Podziemski and Hield is his defensive skills. With Klay Thompson no longer around to handle tough defensive tasks for Curry, finding someone like Melton became crucial.
Melton has embraced his role as a key defender for Golden State. Last week, he shared that he aims to be a standout defensive player for them.
“I love defense,” said Melton enthusiastically. “Getting steals and stops is what I do.”
Podziemski’s Perspective
Podziemski understands why Kerr chose Melton over him at this point. After Saturday’s game, Podz mentioned he’s more focused on finishing games rather than starting them.
“I take pride in leading the second group,” he told Yahoo! Sports.
Fans think it’s smart to focus on what each player brings best!
The Case of Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield often gets overlooked despite being one of the top three-point shooters since joining the NBA. His defense has always been questioned though, which affects his chances of consistently starting in games.
The battle for this spot shows how deep Kerrโs options areโespecially if Podziemski keeps improving after an impressive rookie year and Hield continues hitting threes like usual.
For now though? It’s clear that Melton will step into Thompsonโs shoes next to Curry in their lineup!
