A number of years in the past, Klay Thompson was a legit NBA star who helped the Golden State Warriors set up the inspiration for a dynasty.
He was one of many biggest outdoors shooters the sport of basketball has ever seen, and he was additionally a really potent total scorer, to not point out a superb particular person defender.
However an ACL harm in 2019 and an Achilles harm in 2020 robbed him of a few of his recreation, and whereas he had some flashes of his outdated self in serving to the Warriors win the world championship in 2022, he simply wasn’t the identical participant he was once on a constant foundation.
Thompson left days in the past to hitch the Dallas Mavericks, and Golden State head coach Steve Kerr revealed his emotions concerning the five-time All-Star, per 95.7 The Sport.
“In his own mind and I think in the minds of everyone watching, he wasn’t the same guy as he was prior to the injuries. And Klay really struggled with that,” Kerr stated.
“From 2014-19, pre-injury, Klay was unflappable. He not often required a lot upkeep from me as a coach. He was simply so blissful taking part in and taking part in at a excessive degree. I’d examine in with him and he was all the time effective and loving life. That modified after the 2 accidents.
He is… pic.twitter.com/kpMr4amOEJ
— 95.7 The Sport (@957thegame) July 10, 2024
Thompson made his first All-Star workforce in the course of the 2014-15 season, which was additionally the 12 months Golden State received their first ring of the Curry/Thompson period.
In his first eight seasons, Thompson was dynamite — throughout that span, he averaged 19.5 factors a recreation whereas taking pictures 45.9 % from the sphere and 41.9 % from 3-point vary, and he was named to the All-Defensive Second Crew in the course of the 2018-19 marketing campaign.
However since coming back from his Achilles harm within the 2021-22 season, the moments wherein he has appeared like his outdated self have been interspersed with moments wherein he has been unable to seek out the mark offensively.
This previous season, he made 38.7 % of his 3-point makes an attempt, which is excellent, however he shot simply 43.2 % total.
In Dallas, Thompson will now try to provide the reigning Western Convention champions the supporting offensive firepower they’ve lacked and maybe discover the additional gear that has been lacking the final three years.
NEXT:
Steve Kerr Has An Trustworthy Admission About Kyle Anderson
