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Kurtenbach: Brandin Podziemski’s sophomore slump threatens the Warriors’ hot start


The season-ending knee injury to Warriors guard De’Antony Melton might not seem like a big deal.

After all, Warriors fans barely knew him. He played in only six games for Golden State this season, and the Dubs have gone 7-1 without him in the lineup.

How can you miss something you never really had?

But make no mistake: this injury matters significantly to the Warriors because of its implications for the remainder of the team. Everyone has to slide up now. And not just for a few games, either.

The Warriors’ depth — the strength of this team on its brilliant start to the campaign — will be seriously tested from this point onwards.

And a supposed “future All-Star” will have to significantly up his game.

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Melton represented the ideal off-guard to play next to Steph Curry this season. He’s a classic 3-and-D player — someone who can guard the point guard on other teams while knocking down the open 3-pointers Curry’s gravity creates on the other end of the floor.

There’s a reason why Warriors coach Steve Kerr closed with Melton in last week’s game against the Mavericks — in the big moments of the season, Kerr didn’t want to sacrifice offense for defense or vice versa. Versatility wins games, and Melton had it.

And while the Warriors don’t lack alternatives at the No. 2 guard spot, those players also don’t lack for questions.

Remember, Kerr started the season with Andrew Wiggins at the 2. That was a failed experiment.

So now Kerr will lean more on Lindy Waters III, a sharpshooter whose defense leaves plenty to be desired (even if his effort on that end of the court is on point), Moses Moody, who is a forward, Gary Payton II, who is often a detriment on offense.

And then there’s Brandin Podziemski.

The rest of those players have a role, know it, and play it well.

But only one depth piece was called a “revelation” by the team’s owner this past summer. “A future All-Star,” in fact.

That’s hardly the Podziemski we’ve seen so far this season.

Yes, the second-year guard has been working through illness and injury — he’s had a tough string of luck to start the season. But does that fully explain why he appears to be a player who is struggling …read more

Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment

      

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