A bunch of Golden State Warriors gamers have been at all times going to really feel the impression of De’Anthony Melton’s return to the rotation, however there’s one specifically whose function seems to have been crushed after solely two video games.
Gary Payton II had introduced some higher kind to the desk during the last couple of weeks, but Melton was at all times going to be an improve as a similarly-sized guard with rather more offensive upside. The next distinction in minutes has been drastic, leaving Payton with an unsure function that may solely develop into extra clouded with the anticipated return of Stephen Curry later this week.
The function of Gary Payton II has been crushed by De’Anthony Melton
Payton performed an enormous function in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on the finish of final month, dropping 19 factors, 11 rebounds and three assists on 9-of-14 taking pictures from the ground in certainly one of his higher performances in latest seasons.
He adopted his 25 minutes in that recreation with one other practically 27 in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder at first of final week, proving productive once more with 13 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists on 5-of-9 taking pictures.
But regardless of the pair of constructive performances, Melton’s return from practically 13 months out with a long-term knee harm in Philadelphia on Thursday signalled Payton’s push again down the rotation pecking order.
The 33-year-old performed simply over three minutes in that recreation, earlier than discovering an even bigger function once more with a season-high in minutes in Saturday’s shock win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Nevertheless, that got here with an asterisk of kinds given Melton was resting on the primary evening of a back-to-back, whereas the Warriors have been solely with 10 out there gamers.
As soon as once more, Melton returned on Sunday in opposition to the Chicago Bulls and Payton’s minutes plummeted to simply over 4, together with none within the second-half as Golden State recorded a formidable and dominant 123-91 victory.
This supplies us with an early however apparent pattern relating to Payton’s minutes in relation to Melton’s availability. It is on no account a shock, however it has been glorious to see Melton return in a approach that proves he must be head-and-shoulders above Payton and others within the rotation.
The 27-year-old has averaged 13.5 factors, 2.0 assists and a pair of.0 steals in his two video games, taking pictures 45% from the ground and extra importantly trying just like the two-way presence that he briefly delivered for Golden State previous to his devastating harm final season.
As Steve Kerr and the Warriors look to reply key rotation questions upon a return nearer to full well being, do not be stunned if Payton sees extra DNPs with so many guard choices now out there.
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