Rich and getting richer
Thompson’s return set to boost Warriors, already off to league’s best start
SAN FRANCISCO — Klay Thompson spoke Tuesday, oozing enthusiasm, optimism and confidence, making it clear that he’ll be back on the court soon.
“Grrrrreeeaaat,” said the rest of the NBA. “The Warriors certainly could use the help.”
The Warriors are 15-2 going into Friday’s game against Portland, and the two losses were close ones.
Thompson mentioned that his Warriors are playing at a super-high level on offense and defense.
“And I’m not even out there yet,” Thompson said. “Think about that. Really think about that. I’m more motivated than ever, as well.”
The rest of the league is thinking about that, and is getting a headache.
The rest of the league just might be wondering if Thompson, when he returns, will be a more effective and dangerous player than ever. My argument for that in a moment.
First thing’s first. It won’t be simple for the Warriors to ease Thompson back into the mix when he’s ready, probably around Christmas. Players making key contributions now will be moved around and some will get their minutes trimmed. Chemistry is delicate.
But those are WarriorsWorld problems.
The rest of the league sees an awesome team about to get more awesome. Not that the rest of the league won’t be glad to see Thompson return. In a league rife with grudges, rivalries and petty jealousies, Klay Thompson is the one player everyone likes.
But he will make the Warriors better. Think about that.
And think about this: Even though Thompson is 31 and coming off two years of injury rehab, he might be a better player than ever, for two reasons. He is a better leader. And this team’s makeup could be better suited to Thompson’s game than any previous Warriors crew.
First, the leader part. “Let me tell you,” Warriors center Kevon Looney said Tuesday, “he’s been one of the most talkative players I’ve been around. Has a lot of joy, a lot of joking. He’s serious when he needs to be, (but) he holds guys accountable. … He’s been more of a vocal leader the last couple of years when he’s been out.”
Looney said of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and now Thompson, “They set the tone for our locker room. They play with joy, they come with joy every day.”
Joy, attitude, whatever you want to call it, it’s what drives this team, and the Warriors are about to get a fresh jolt of it.
“Greeeaaatt, more Warriors’ joy,” said the rest of the league, twirling an index finger.
Thompson is embracing his role as a leader. He mentioned Tuesday that he gave teammate James Wiseman a book, “Young, Black, Rich and Famous,” by USC professor Todd Boyd. It’s about the NBA, hip hop and the transformation of American culture.
“I think it’s such a good read, such an empowering read, and James is such a great listener, and I just want to help his education,” Thompson said. “Guys are so talented they just get to skip university now. Gotta realize you still gotta grow as a person. Exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body, and I try to tell him that.”
As for this team possibly being better-suited to Thompson’s style of play than at anytime during the run of five trips to the NBA Finals?
Thompson’s game is about spacing, complementary shooters and energy. His absence has accelerated the development of Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, as open-floor-slasher opportunists and as confident 3-ball shooters. How can opponents focus on Thompson?
Thompson relies on teammates’ passing. Green is at the top of his dishing game, so is Curry, and Andre Iguodala, and Nemanja Bjelica is phenomenal at finding open 3-ball shooters.
The addition of Gary Payton II and rookie Jonathan Kuminga has ratcheted up the team’s energy level, especially on defense.
Thompson didn’t disagree with my theory that this team might be the best ever for his game, although he did lightly tap the brakes.
“I would agree with you,” Thompson said. “I mean, we’ve had some really great years — winning 73 games, going backto-back (championships), so it’s tough to say now more than ever that this team fits my style, but it makes the transition coming back in the lineup so easy.
“We all know I’m not an (isolation) player or a guy that’s just going to go out and handle the ball all night. I use my teammates to get open. I cut off Draymond, Loon. I screen for Steph, so to see these other guys doing what I was doing in the past is great.
“And just from an observing standpoint, it’s so fun to watch. Like on the bench, it’s really beautiful basketball.”
“Beautiful,” mumbled the rest of the league, kicking a Gatorade tub.