San Francisco Chronicle

Thompson has evolved into team’s ‘elder’

- By C.J. Holmes Reach C.J. Holmes: cj.holmes@sfchronicl­e.com

Klay Thompson authored another exciting chapter in NBA history with his 42-point eruption in the Golden State Warriors’ 116-101 defeat of the Houston Rockets on Friday night at Chase Center. But while classic Thompson shooting spectacles never get old, head coach Steve Kerr has obviously seen that movie before and encouraged the 33-yearold to do more.

“Steve was just telling me how my game needs to evolve as I get older,” Thompson said. “He was just telling me to go for triple-doubles and round out my entire game. … That really resonated with me.”

Kerr was impressed by Thompson’s 12 3-pointers, just like everyone else in attendance, especially the fact that Thompson did it in the second game of a back-to-back set. For a player who lost 2½ seasons to injuries, that in itself was a feat.

However, the Warriors’ head coach revealed after the game that he was just as satisfied with Thompson’s seven rebounds. In Kerr’s mind, Thompson’s effort on the glass is a sign of growth.

“I think we’re challengin­g him to get on the glass, it’s part of his evolution,” Kerr said. “I think every great player, as they get older they have to evolve — whatever that means.”

As athletes age, their athleticis­m and skills begin to fade. When they can’t run as fast or jump as high, players have to adjust and use the knowledge and experience they’ve gained to add new wrinkles to their games.

As Michael Jordan got older and his legs weren’t as spry as they once were, he placed more emphasis on playing out of the post and controllin­g the game at a different pace. Stephen Curry turns 35 in March, and his method of battling Father Time includes a strict workout regimen with a focus on gaining and maintainin­g muscle to help combat the wear and tear of an NBA season.

Thompson and Curry’s games have never relied solely on athleticis­m.

“As long as my wrist still works, my feet work, I’ll forever be able to shoot the rock,” Thompson said. However, the next step in Thompson’s evolution is identifyin­g what works for him, what aspects to add to his game and how best to ensure longevity.

“The challenge is to be better defensivel­y and more vocal and a better leader and a better rebounder,” Kerr said. “Within the team he’s now the elder, whereas he used to have plenty of elders around him. And so I think that’s what I’m excited about. I can see Klay is starting to figure it out and see that forming with everything he’s doing.”

As Kerr said, part of veteran developmen­t includes using your voice more frequently and transformi­ng into a commanding presence in the locker room and on the court. In his youth, Thompson was a player who preferred to keep to himself. However, playing without Curry and Draymond Green on Friday night, Thompson had to step up as a leader.

Thompson entered Sunday averaging 26.1 points per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 44.4% from 3-point range since Jan. 1. Great for him, great for the Warriors. But scoring reinforcem­ents are on the way, and his continued developmen­t as a leader might be even more meaningful for Golden State’s playoff push.

“I tried to use my voice,” Thompson said. “I tried to be loud on defense. I tried to be encouragin­g on the bench. … I’ve been here so long I have to lead, I have to use my voice. And that was a great challenge for me and I thought I took a good step.”

 ?? Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle ?? Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been pushing Klay Thompson to continue to evolve as he gets older.
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle Warriors coach Steve Kerr has been pushing Klay Thompson to continue to evolve as he gets older.

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