Dub Hub: Steve Kerr plans to keep De’Anthony Melton in the starting lineup

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, November 11th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr plans to keep De’Anthony Melton in the starting lineup following the Warriors victory over the Thunder on Sunday night.
• Draymond Green discusses the depth and versatility of this year’s roster.
• Thunder center Chet Holmgren out 8-10 weeks after suffering hip injury vs. Warriors.

The Golden State Warriors wrapped up their five game road trip with a decisive 127-116 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Head coach Steve Kerr decided to shake up the starting lineup, inserting De’Anthony Melton at shooting guard alongside Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Trayce-Jackson Davis. After the game, Kerr told reporters that he likes this starting combination and will be sticking with it moving forward.

Melton graded out well in his starting debut, finishing the game with 19 points which included five made threes. He also added 10 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and had a plus-minus of +8 during his 26 minutes on the floor.

As Kerr mentions, Melton is a much cleaner fit with the starting lineup. He’s shooting 37.9% from three this season, giving the unit some much needed spacing compared to their previous combinations. Melton is also an excellent defender, and the pairing of him alongside Wiggins puts two on-ball defenders next to their two bigs in Green and Jackson-Davis. The results have showed promise thus far as Kerr may have finally landed on the optimal starting combination to build on as the season progresses.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, November 11th:

Warriors News:

De’Anthony Melton steps into starting lineup and helps Warriors defeat Thunder | The Athletic

Celebrini kept a watchful eye on Melton during this trip, leading him through some individual and eventually group workouts to test that inflamed lower back before finally clearing him for the Cleveland Cavaliers game. He was solid against the Cavs, doing enough to get the green light for the starting shooting guard spot and 27 minutes against the Thunder.

“We played Memphis in the playoffs (in 2022), and he was part of their seven-, eight-man rotation because he can defend, knocks down open shots,” Curry said. “Confident. Makes the right play. Sound guy that knows how to play. Just hoping that he’s healthy and able to be available. He’s been working tirelessly on that. Tonight showed that role, two-way type player and another guy who can handle the ball a little bit, which helps.”

Steve Kerr sees shades of early Warriors in Kenny Atkinson’s Cavs | The Athletic

The entire roster is back from last year. The only real change was to Atkinson and the coaching staff.

It’s easy to draw the comparison between what Kerr did for the Warriors when he arrived in 2014 and how Atkinson has transformed the Cavaliers this season after spending three years as an assistant on Kerr’s staff.

“This was a great job to get, just like mine was 10 years ago,” Kerr said. “Now, you’re just tweaking things and seeing where you can get better on the margins rather than trying to grow something organically. It’s a perfect spot, and Kenny has taken advantage.”

Draymond Green highlights the depth and adaptability of this year’s roster

Steph ‘not ready’ for Klay’s emotional return to face Warriors | NBC Sports Bay Area

“Don’t do this to me,” Curry said on “Warriors Postgame Live” after Golden State’s 127-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. “Don’t do this to me. I’m not ready for this man. It’s going to be a lot to look forward to and I’m excited to see him, obviously as a friend. But I’m trying to conserve all of my mental energy for Tuesday because it’s going to be a lot.”

Former Warrior Klay Thompson on his Chase Center return: “It’s just another regular season game in November”

NBA News:

Thunder’s Chet Holmgren expected to miss extended time with hip injury | The Athletic

The Thunder said they would provide an update on his return-to-play protocol in eight to 10 weeks. Holmgren is expected to return this season.

The 22-year-old met the Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins at the rim for a contest with 6:52 left in the first quarter and Wiggins scored despite Holmgren’s attempt to protect the rim. Holmgren fell to the ground on his right hip and was unable to catch himself on the way down. After several moments on the floor, medical personnel helped Holmgren to his feet and his teammates assisted him to the locker room, not putting any weight on his right leg.

NBA intel: Trade talk in Milwaukee, Embiid updates, Warriors | ESPN

Windhorst: The speculation is true. The Bucks are indeed starting to canvas the league for a trade, league executives told ESPN. But no, not that trade. The concept of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo reaching the trade market is ripe for rumors and trade machine computations, but it’s not a reality as of now for Antetokounmpo or the Bucks, sources said. Teams have let the Bucks know in recent months that they will make an offer for the Greek Freak if that day ever comes. But those are incoming calls, not outgoing, and it’s likely to remain that way.

Suns Kevin Durant to miss the next two weeks due to a left calf strain

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Thunder

Andrew Wiggins

35 minutes, 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, 6-for-14 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, 4-for-6 free throws, 54.1% TS, +21

Wiggins’ strong season continued with a simply tremendous game. He set the pace for the Warriors early, scoring nine of their first 19 points, and established his aggression in all areas of the game, attacking the rim on offense, attacking ball-handlers and shot-takers on defense, and attacking the glass every time the ball went up.

That aggression lasted throughout the game, as Wiggins continually set the tone. It was a level of aggression that was missing last year from his game, and it’s no coincidence that as it has returned, so has the team’s elite play.

Grade: A

Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.

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