NEW YORK — The beginning of the season was a struggle for Philadelphia 76ers guard De’Anthony Melton. The veteran out of USC was shooting 32.6% from deep through the first nine games of the season, but he has since found his stride.
Melton shot 4-for-6 from deep and had 21 points in Sunday’s 121-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets, which continues his hot shooting. He was 4-for-6 from deep on Nov. 14 against the Indiana Pacers, 5-for-6 the next night against the Boston Celtics, and 3-for-7 against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
“We know how great of a shooter he is,” Joel Embiid said. “That’s why every single time he passes up shots, it doesn’t make sense. That’s why I always gotta be on him. It’s not about being open or not. If you feel like you’ve got a chance of making a shot, just keep taking it. It doesn’t matter if you miss it. Just keep taking it, but I’m glad he’s been aggressive, attacking, and making shots.”
Melton shot 39% from deep in the 2022-23 season and is a career 37.3% shooter from deep. It was only a matter of time for him to turn things around.
“We knew it was coming,” Tyrese Maxey added. “He was struggling early, but Melt’s a great shooter. A great basketball player. I’m just excited that he can dunk. He made some dunks. He made some layups. We’re not worried about his shot. Some of his layups is a little shaky (he said jokingly), but he did great. He’s great defensively. We know what he brings to the table there and when he’s making shots, it just takes it to a whole new level.”
Melton knew he would get it together. It was all about getting back to the basics and making sure he was finding his rhythm again on the offensive end of the floor.
“I had to go back to the basics,” Melton explained. “I had to go back to the basics and my teammates just kept instilling confidence in me. They just kept telling me to shoot. They was making fun of me for not shooting.”
The Sixers have leaned on camaraderie as a group. They have supported each other throughout this early part of the season and the same has gone for Melton.
“That type of stuff just lets you know who you are and Reese told me no matter what at the end of the season, the 3-point percentage is gonna say above 40,” Melton finished. “So that type of stuff you need to keep going.”
[lawrence-related id=86621,86618,86614]