The Dallas Mavericks’ season opener in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs carried further weight, with all eyes fastened on Klay Thompson in his Mavs debut.
After displaying combined kind in preseason, anticipation constructed round his partnership with Luka Doncic.
Following Thompson’s first recreation with Dallas, NBA analyst Charles Barkley shared his candid ideas in regards to the former Golden State Warriors star.
“He was the best two-guard in the NBA for a span of x-amount of years. Offensively and defensively. He’s a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Everybody likes Klay Thompson, but no player gets better with age. Let’s stop that. He got the two bad breaks with the ACL and the Achilles, and that’s the reason the Warriors wanted to move on; he’s not the same player,” Barkley mentioned, through NBA on TNT.
“Everybody likes Klay Thompson, but no player gets better with age” ⌛
Chuck offers his tackle the long run corridor of famer 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/dmbMhwJ3QX
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 24, 2024
Regardless of Barkley’s skepticism about Thompson’s potential to assist the Mavericks attain consecutive NBA Finals, the veteran shooter silenced his critics on opening evening.
When his signing was introduced this offseason, skeptics urged Naji Marshall deserved the beginning spot as a substitute, questioning Thompson’s defensive capabilities alongside Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Thompson’s efficiency, nevertheless, informed a distinct story. He confirmed coach Jason Kidd his value on robust defensive assignments, an important asset for Dallas shifting ahead.
Whereas his capturing contact stays elite, it’s his positioning and defensive dedication that has pleasantly stunned many.
If his first recreation is any indication, these early issues may fade because the season unfolds.
So long as Thompson maintains this degree of two-way play, Mavericks followers have each purpose to be optimistic about their new addition.
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