We knew it was coming. However, it was a little shocking to see for the first time – Klay Thompson in a Dallas Maverick uniform.
Thompson said he couldn’t be happier. After a few difficult post-injury seasons in Golden State – where he put up numbers but his efficiency and defense slipped, he was of course not the same All-NBA player he was before his leg injuries – he is in a place where he found himself. why did he play the game speaking with basketball content creator Tristan Jass (hat tip Hoopshype).
“The last two years have been so hard for me, because you try to measure yourself by what you’ve been, and how, all the achievements and all that, and I’ve let so much other crap get into my head, and I’ve forgotten why I’m really playing this that game
“Yeah, because I love it, you know? I try to measure myself by everyone else’s standard. I didn’t realize what a huge waste of energy that was, man. You saw it in the comments. You. You’re going to get people like , sometimes, they write bad things, and never let that stop you from what you do, yes, I feel like that stopped what I was great at last year…
“At the end of the day, I look back like, bro, I’m still playing phenomenal ball. Like, you 18 game, 39% from three. I’m not going to let somebody tell me that’s not great. You would have told me, that as an 18-year-old, I’d be like, ‘Hell yeah!'”
In Dallas, Thompson should be free of the expectations of the past and in a different role. While Jason Kidd will no doubt borrow some of Steve Kerr’s floppy moves that were staples in getting Klay Thompson the ball, much of his time in Dallas will be spent in the weakside corner as a 3-point threat, opening up driving lanes for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving – and Thompson will thrive in that role. He continues to be an elite shooter and should thrive in that role in Dallas, even if Kidd is needed. figure out the ultimate closing lineup with Naji Marshal in the mix.
Moving on from Golden State and the expectations/baggage there sounds like it was good for Thompson. It will be good for Dallas’ offense as well. Thompson once again plays a key role on a legitimate title contender.
