"De'Anthony Melton knows that every backcourt partner of Steph Curry will, fairly or not, be compared to the Golden State standard set by Klay Thompson. The five-time All-Star was the starting shooting guard next to Curry for all four of the team's modern-day titles, providing defense and the perfect off-ball complement to Curry's dynamism. Melton, who is rounding into form after missing an entire year rehabbing from left ACL surgery, had plenty of time to study Thompson as he rehabbed."
"The 27-year-old will never be considered in the same tier as Thompson as a shooter, but Melton sure did his best facsimile in the Warriors' victory Wednesday night over the Bucks. Melton made a season-high five 3-pointers, scoring 22 points. It was the second-most points by a Warriors reserve this season, trailing only Moses Moody's 24 on Nov. 4 against Phoenix."
"But, like Thompson, it was not just his shooting that made the off guard so valuable. Although Melton stands at 6-foot-2, his 6-foot-8 wingspan allows him to play and guard larger than his listed size. As the team's top point-of-attack defender, Melton can take the opponent's toughest perimeter matchup, freeing up Curry to focus more on offense. It is a role Thompson thrived in for over a decade in the Bay Area."
De'Anthony Melton returned from a year rehabbing a left ACL and has begun to display his all-around game. He studied Klay Thompson's complementary role next to Steph Curry and seeks to emulate Thompson's defensive and off-ball strengths. Melton made a season-high five 3-pointers and scored 22 points in the Warriors' win over the Bucks, shooting 9 of 18 from three over his last three games. At 6-foot-2 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan, Melton can guard larger opponents and serve as the team's primary point-of-attack defender. That defensive role helps free Curry to focus more on offense.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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