Why De’Anthony Melton might be the Warriors’ best cure for season-long ailments originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As the Warriors wobble through the schedule with an unwanted balance between wins and losses, they’re reduced to appreciating even the slightest glimpse of goodness. Anything that tells them they might be better in the next game.
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The latest glimpse of goodness appeared Monday night in the form of De’Anthony Melton, who, in a 120-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets, looked like the kind of defensive closer the Warriors will need to finish games.
Golden State’s atrocious record in clutch games most often is the result of its inability to stop opponents. Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III usually can find buckets, but the defense tends to come apart behind late closeouts, slow rotations and other breakdowns.
When this game got close in the final minutes, Melton’s defense led the charge in giving the Warriors the kind of breathing room they’ve struggled to create in the final minutes.
“Activity,” Melton told reporters at Barclays Center. “We kind of locked in on a game plan, and we kind of understood what they had going on through the last three quarters. So, we just locked in. We just said it’s time to slow down the run they’re making.”
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With 1:18 remaining and the Warriors leading 112-106, Brooklyn guard Egor Demin curled around a screen and lined up what he hoped would be his eighth triple of the night. Melton stealthily stalked him around the curl and, with perfect timing, blocked the shot. Butler recovered the loose ball and shoveled to a streaking Melton for a layup.
Rather than clinging to a 3-point lead with 75 seconds remaining, the Warriors were up by eight. Brooklyn then inbounded to Demin, who was so rattled that he dumped a pass that Will Richard swiped and took in for another layup.
With one defensive dagger followed by a second, Golden State’s lead was at 10 with about a minute to go. The Nets, who had won seven of their last 10 games behind a rotation of lengthy players, were done.
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The Warriors held them to 22 fourth-quarter points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.
Coach Steve Kerr’s plan to use his entire roster – except, once again, Jonathan Kuminga – paid off as Golden State’s bench mauled its Brooklyn counterparts 58-27.
“One of the strengths of our roster is the depth,” Kerr said. “I feel comfortable putting anybody out there, and we showed that tonight. We got a lot of really good contributions.
“I thought Will Richard was fantastic. He and Melt helped close the game with some great defensive plays. Gui always brings great energy you see the plus minuses from the bench they’re all they’re all sky high. Great work from the bench tonight.”
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Melton is Golden State’s most important bench player and, on paper, its best two-way player. And what is true on paper is starting to encroach on the stat sheet. He submitted 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field, a team-high eight rebounds, two steals, one block, one assist, at least two “hockey” assists. He was a team-best plus-26 in 24 minutes.
Playing in his ninth game this season, following a full year of surgery and recovery and rehabilitation from a torn ACL, Melton’s minutes continue to be closely monitored. He’s still seeking his timing and rhythm and even his 3-point shot. His only two misses on this night were attempts from beyond the arc.
“I trust everybody that goes on the floor,” Melton said. “Now, (me) putting the ball in the basket is important just to give these other guys some relief. Hopefully, this is a big confidence boost for everybody out there.”
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Now that Melton is approaching his fifth week of action, his presence is becoming more of a factor. The reason the Warriors re-signed him in the offseason is because his skills give them something they don’t otherwise have.
Which means his playing time will continue to increase. He was restricted to 20 for the first seven games and now is up to 24.
“I talked to him yesterday in Toronto and he said his body’s feeling really good,” Kerr said. “It’s a good sign. Hopefully, we’ll get to a point this season where he’s able to play back-to-backs but for now we’re being cautious.”
The Warriors’ biggest issue has been late-game defense. Yes, even more than late-game offense. Melton can give them something they badly need. Someone who can keep guards from penetrating and scoring or kicking out to open shooters.
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Melton looks like the best antidote to a season-long ailment. At this point, they’ll take any glimpse of goodness that comes their way.
