Thompson unplugs to power up his game

After scoring a season-high 41 points last Sunday against the Rockets, Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson told a small group of reporters in Houston that social media “trolls” really got to him during his early season shooting

slump.

It affected his peace of mind off the court. On it, frustration began to build. His teammates and coaches certainly felt the tension.

“I’m glad to hear Klay is taking a break from (social media), probably good,” head coach Steve Kerr said.

Thompson’s only human. He is intensely aware of how much effort he puts into keeping his game sharp. And naturally, sometimes it hurts to be criticized by people who don’t truly understand what it’s like to be in his shoes. But that’s the nature of being a professional athlete. Thompson admitted he was starting to lose his composure.

“I don’t know what I was thinking in my 12th year in this

league, like I haven't been through this before,” Thompson said. “I just had a moment of weakness.”

Thompson can't control the criticism he receives, but he can control the information he ingests. So in recent weeks, he's

unplugged a bit.

He remembered he's one of the best shooters ever to play the game, and stopped using social media to validate his worth.

“I have so much more time on my hands,” Thompson said. “I'm not on social media looking at the comments. And I really learned if you lurk, you're going to get hurt . ... So I just learned to spend my time better. Because

that's not on them (for chirping), it's on me for looking. Everyone's entitled to their opinion.”

Thompson's renewed focus has paid dividends for him and for the Warriors on the court. He entered Friday averaging 26.3 points per game over his past three appearances while shooting 55% from the field and 56% from 3-point range. He shot

just 35% from the field and 33% from deep over his first 12 starts this season.

While changing his mentality has been critical to his recent resurgence in scoring efficiency, Thompson said he also has been making strides physically as well.

“Just being in way better shape,” he said. “That first week I thought I was in great shape,

but I was in good shape, not great shape.

“Now I'm not getting tired, making an impact at both ends and I just think I'm getting my legs under my shot.”