Somewhere in the gravel of defeat Saturday night, the Warriors found a few nuggets of gold. Seeking any indications of promise after losing their first two games of the season, the Warriors received three such signs during an entirely predictable 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
De’Anthony Melton’s wayward shot appears to be making its way home, and the team’s center rotation might not be as problematic many fear it will be.
Golden State’s loss was predictable because it was a 9.5-point underdog after coach Steve Kerr rested Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski and Al Horford – all of whom for one night joined the longtime inactive legion of Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porziis.
Yet the performances of Melton and young centers Charles Bassey and Graham Ike allowed the deeply diminished Warriors to find value on an evening when they walked out of Mortgage Matchup Center with a 0-3 record.
“All 17 roster guys, or 16, or whatever it is should feel like they have a stake in this thing,” Kerr told reporters in Phoenix. “Nights like tonight, that’s proof...