| Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson fits so perfectly into the Warriors’ overall philosophy that it’s as if they drew up a list of specs and had him built in a laboratory. They needed a longrange marksman to make opponents pay for sending multiple defenders at Steph Curry or Kevin Durant, and Thompson couldn’t have played that role any better, with a 41.4 three-point shooting percentage.
They needed a versatile backcourt defender, big enough to handle opposing shooting guards but quick enough to take some of the defensive load off Curry against top point guards. Once again, he filled the role perfectly, making guards like James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Russell Westbrook work hard to earn every bucket.
They needed someone to do all this while being willing to watch his flashier teammates grab more of the headlines. Working out of the spotlight came naturally to the laid-back Thompson, who has grown to be comfortable with media attention, but never seeks it.
As for his ability to show off a searingly hot shooting hand of his own from time to time, as he did when he torched the Pacers for 60 points in only 29 minutes, that wasn’t necessarily a requirement for a team with the Warriors’ firepower, but it was definitely a welcome bonus.
In short, Thompson may be the best example of the philosophy that has made the Warriors great — their emphasis on multidimensional players. They are not
a team of specialists. When general manager Bob Myers says the franchise seeks “basketball players,” he’s talking about players who can make a significant impact at both ends of the court. He’s talking about players like Thompson, who can always find a way to make a difference, even when they’re not shooting well.
In Game 1 of the Finals against Cleveland, Thompson shot 3-for-16, including 0-for-5 on threes, and scored just six points. But the player he was guarding — primarily Irving and LeBron James — shot just 1-for-12 while Thompson was defending him, a major factor in the Warriors’ 113-91 victory.
Thompson’s shooting ability was obvious from the day he arrived from Washington
Thompson may be the best example of the philosophy that has made the Warriors great — their emphasis on multidimensional players.
State as the 11th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft, but he has developed his reputation as a superior defender gradually, to the point where he belongs in any conversation about the best defensive players at his position. Even TNT’s Charles Barkley, who doesn’t throw lots of bouquets the Warriors’ way, has called him the best two-way shooting guard in the NBA.
After Thompson’s performance last season, who would argue?
Warriors guard Klay Thompson extends for a layup attempt past Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons in a home game on Jan. 12. Thompson has raised his scoring average in each season since his rookie year. He averaged 22.3 points this past season despite the addition of Kevin Durant, who averaged 25.1 points per game.