Figuring out Steph Curry’s backcourt mate: Who would be the Warriors’ capturing guard?

TURTLE BAY, Hawaii — For the higher a part of the previous decade, Stephen Curry was linked to a really perfect backcourt accomplice. Klay Thompson, notably in his prime, unfold the ground together with his feared capturing and defended the opponent’s finest perimeter scorer for 35 minutes, irrespective of energy or pace, easing Curry’s defensive load whereas producing acres of offensive house.

The Thompson of the late 2010s diminished due to damage. The Thompson who nonetheless completed second behind Curry on the Golden State Warriors in factors final season departed for Dallas this summer time.

Coaching camp opened Tuesday afternoon in Hawaii. Thompson’s void is contemporary, and the competitors for his emptiness is a scorching subject. Who would be the Warriors’ beginning capturing guard when the season begins: De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield or Brandin Podziemski? What’s the best outcome for Curry?

“That’s an awesome query,” Curry mentioned. “We now have choices, clearly. We now have a defensive-minded man like Melton. You bought a man who’s form of a connector, can put the ball on the ground (and) create like BP. Me and BP began a pair occasions final 12 months. You bought Buddy who can shoot (and) house the ground, a veteran who is aware of how one can play.”

The defensive alternative: De’Anthony Melton

When the Warriors superior previous the Memphis Grizzlies within the playoffs in 2022, a number of gamers and coaches had been stunned how little Memphis deployed Melton, a rangy guard who bothered Curry, zoomed in transition and capably hit open 3s.

When sufficient cash freed up this summer time for the Warriors to supply the total midlevel, Melton emerged because the consensus high goal. He solely appeared in 38 video games final season with the Philadelphia 76ers as a result of a difficult again damage, making him amenable to a short-term deal to resuscitate his worth.

“In (the) 2022 (title season), we had been the second-ranked protection, and we had been ok offensively,” head coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “I believe we had been center of the pack. However to actually be aggressive, we’ve got to have a hell of a protection. That’s what we’re most concerned with.”

That’s the attraction of Melton. Of the accessible backcourt choices subsequent to Curry, he’s probably the most confirmed particular person and staff defender, constructed up as a pest in a high-pressure Memphis scheme. He can begin on fast level guards or stronger capturing guards, leaving the better job to Curry.

“Mindset,” Curry mentioned. “He’s constructed his id round it. He has the ability set, the wingspan, the foot pace, the IQ. There are a whole lot of guys that simply cling their hat on being a defensive man, figuring out that’s how they assist the staff win. He works on it mentally and bodily. He simply needs to be wholesome and showcase who he will be on that finish.”

Melton spent most of his summer time in San Francisco build up his physique and getting previous his again damage. He’s absolutely cleared getting into camp and has been scrimmaging the final couple weeks. If he begins to open the season, it’s a nod from Kerr to a defense-heavy strategy.

The ground-spacing choice: Buddy Hield

Maybe probably the most newsworthy basketball quote from the Warriors’ first follow got here from Kerr, discussing his most well-liked type of offensive assault.

“I need to be a high-volume 3-point capturing staff,” he mentioned. “I believe that’s necessary for us. The massive shift is Klay isn’t right here. We had been fourth within the league in 3-point makes an attempt final 12 months. Klay most likely shot eight or 10 himself. We’re going to have fill that void. It’s going to come back from a number of individuals.”

Kerr mentioned he needs Andrew Wiggins to take six or seven 3s per sport (he averaged 3.6 final 12 months). Kerr additionally needs Podziemski, Melton and Moses Moody to let it fly.

However of the accessible choices on this roster behind Curry, probably the most pure high-volume shooter is Hield. Within the final 5 seasons, Hield’s 2,682 tried 3s are second-most within the NBA solely behind Curry. He will get them up at a excessive clip in a wide range of methods and has made 40 p.c of his almost 5,000 profession makes an attempt.

Contemplating how the Warriors need to play within the wake of Thompson’s departure, that particular ability is what has some throughout the staff predicting Hield (who signed a four-year, $37 million deal) to be earn round 25 minutes an evening. However does his spacing masks his defensive deficiencies?

The long-term choice: Brandin Podziemski

Curry and Podziemski shared the ground for 909 minutes final season. Regardless of a presumed measurement drawback, the Warriors outscored opponents by 122 factors with that two-man mixture.

Each time Kerr has been grilled in regards to the open beginning spots, he continues to say the significance of discovering the proper five-man items that match collectively. Previous metrics are a part of the equation. Podziemski, the staff’s main plus/minus participant final season, pops in nearly each lineup.

He isn’t as bodily gifted a defender as Melton or as feared a shooter as Hield, however there’s a robust organizational perception in his profession arc. Podziemski has been vocal about his perception that he’s made a leap as a person defender this summer time and desires to rise up round eight 3s per sport, shouldering extra of the scoring and playmaking load.

There’s an argument that Podziemski matches finest as a high-usage bench guard who backs up Curry, somebody who can run the second unit but in addition play subsequent to Curry for giant stretches, together with the closing time of most halves.

“To summarize it: I like the place we’re at by way of our choices,” Curry mentioned.

(Picture of Steph Curry and Brandin Podziemski: Noah Graham / NBAE through Getty Photographs)