Podziemski-Melton bond completely portrays new Warriors vibe initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
HONOLULU – As warmups have been ending forward of their first preseason recreation collectively as teammates, two Warriors competing to be within the beginning lineup embraced. Brandin Podziemski rotated to De’Anthony Melton within the layup line and opened his arms out broad earlier than the 2 smiled, laughed and shared a giant hug.
About an hour and a half earlier, after days of retaining his lips sealed and refusing to disclose his plans, coach Steve Kerr lastly informed reporters that Melton would begin alongside Steph Curry within the backcourt, additionally sharing the ground with Jonathan Kuminga, Draymond Inexperienced and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
The pregame second between teammates was a mirrored image of what per week away in Hawaii was all about, in addition to time spent collectively at Chase Middle main as much as coaching camp. Bonding was a requirement and chemistry had shortly taken form.
Podziemski and Melton on paper might have fashioned unhealthy blood battling for a similar spot. As a rookie, Podziemski was the one who changed Klay Thompson within the beginning lineup and has been propped as an up-and-coming face of the franchise. Melton was wooed by the Warriors, utilizing the mid-level exception by waiving Chris Paul and signing the combo guard to a one-year, $12.8 million contract. The entrance workplace wasn’t shy in hiding how a lot they coveted him, each to Melton and amongst one another.
Now, he’s the primary to be Curry’s new backcourt mate for the 2024-25 NBA season, together with a nickname from Podziemski he laughs at whereas nonetheless attempting to determine his reasoning.
“That’s my canine,” Melton says of Podziemski. “He calls me OG, however I’m not that previous, so I don’t learn about that. However that’s my canine. We truly chop it up a superb quantity. We simply decide one another’s brains, see what’s happening and I like being round him.”
Within the locker room after the Warriors’ buzzer-beating 91-90 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, the never-shy 21-year-old Podziemski defined his ideas behind his OG of a 26-year-old Melton.
“I name De’Anthony OG as a result of he appears previous as s–t, however he’s solely 26,” Podziemski joked. “It’s been good. We’ve simply been clicking, vibing. There’s no ego. We simply need to go on the market and hoop for one another.”
There’s no replicating a Klay Thompson. The Warriors didn’t attempt to exchange him with a single participant, although it’s straightforward to see how a mix of two newcomers can fill his position. Buddy Hield is the sharp-shooter who can ignite an offense instantly from downtown, as seen by him splashing his first shot try as Warrior – a 3-pointer off an help by Podziemski.
Melton isn’t the identical flamethrower from deep that Hield or Thompson is. He nonetheless can greater than maintain his personal offensively, and he’s the closest factor the Warriors need to a two-way guard the likes of when Curry and Thompson have been completely complementing one another on the way in which to 5 straight NBA Finals, previous to Klay being dealt two devastating blows in season-ending leg accidents.
How he connects the sport was evident all through camp. The disruption was particularly apparent throughout a sequence within the second quarter when Melton saved a play alive and instantly discovered Curry on the high of the arc. The end result then was truly Curry creating his otherworldly gravity and giving the ball up for a wide-open Melton.
Golden State’s first factors of the sport additionally have been from Curry aiding a Melton three.
“They give the impression of being nice collectively,” Kerr mentioned. “I do know Steph didn’t shoot effectively, however they search for one another. De’Anthony’s a very good shooter, but additionally a playmaker and will get within the combine on every part defensively. I’m a very large fan of De’Anthony and I actually just like the depth of our offense.”
Whether or not it has been as a member of the Phoenix Suns, Memphis Grizzlies or Philadelphia 76ers, Melton has chased Curry loads of instances across the court docket. Gamers and coaches even have let it’s recognized to Melton they suppose he ought to have been on the ground extra for the Grizzlies in opposition to the Warriors within the 2022 playoffs, an act of admiration he kindly smiles at and accepts with out providing any shade at one among his previous groups.
Now that he and Curry are on the identical facet, he needed to bear in mind what a unique feeling it’s having him as a teammate.
“You don’t perceive his motion till you’re on the court docket,” Melton defined. “One time he threw the ball and I’m on the weak facet and he comes flying off and I’m similar to, ‘Oh, I forgot!’ you understand what I imply. It’s stuff like that the place you bought to remain engaged.
“I feel with this offense, all people is engaged and that’s what I really like about it.”
Their first exhibiting wasn’t excellent for Curry and Melton. There have been flashes, although. The thought of why this will work is evident. Step-by-step, the Warriors are assured they’ve a brand new duo they will entrust.
Identical to they will entrust Podziemski in a number of roles on any given evening. On Saturday, his position was to steer a second unit of Hield, Gary Payton II, Kyle Anderson and Kevon Looney, together with Moses Moody later. Podziemski struggled capturing like almost all the Warriors, however led the group in assists with 4 and was second in plus/minus at plus-5, executing what simply was the go of the sport.
“I don’t thoughts it,” Podziemski mentioned. “Whoever I’m with, beginning or coming off the bench, for me I simply need to end video games and be the place a very powerful performs are made. If I’m beginning, if I’m coming off the bench, it actually doesn’t matter. I take delight in main the second group.
“Level guard is meant to be a frontrunner on the market. I feel at this time I did that. … From a broader perspective of management and being some extent guard, I feel I did that fairly effectively.”
Yoga collectively within the paradise of the North Shore on Oahu may need been one issue. No matter it’s, there’s a unique sense with these Warriors, one that’s removed from stale. There’s a scrappiness to them. Tenacious. Feisty. Collectively.
“We added veterans, however we really feel youthful,” Podziemski mentioned to sum it up.
Separated by solely 5 years and bonded by an ironic two-letter nickname, the fast-building relationship of Podziemski and Melton is one instance of the Warriors turning over a brand new leaf and bringing a recent vibe to begin a brand new period that many are excited has begun.
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