Thompson leading charge
Shooting guard’s steady play has been key of five-game winning streak
OAKLAND — Plenty of factors contributed to this recent get-well fivegame win streak from the Warriors. Included: The mass rest in San Antonio that preceded it, the rediscovery of Stephen Curry’s shot, the mediocre opponents and a strong team- wide commitment on the defensive end.
But Klay Thompson’s steady play as been as vital as any. Often the least discussed of the four All-Stars — without the brand appeal of Curry or Kevin Durant and the headline-making ability of Draymond Green — Thompson’s play is often just as tied to the team’s performance.
The Warriors are 37-5 when Thompson scores 20 or more points this season and 20-9 when he doesn’t. So when he’s off, they’re beatable (36.8 percent shooter in their losses) and when he’s on, they rarely lose (49.5 percent in their wins).
During wins over the Sixers, Magic, Bucks, Thunder and Mavericks, Thompson went for 28, 29, 21, 34 and 23 points — only the second time this season he’s scored more than 20 in at least five straight — making 55.3 percent of his shots and 25 of his 47 threes.
“He’s been extremely good,” Green said. “On both ends of the floor.”
Thompson is an NBA defensive rarity, considered solid despite below average counting stats. He doesn’t leap high or have notably quick hands, so he doesn’t block shots (0.5 per game) or create steals (0.8). But he’s a respected defender because of two important qualities: Thompson has plus-size for his position (a 6-foot-7, 215-pound shooting guard) and rare endurance.
Often tasked with guarding the best opposing perimeter player, Thompson has run 77.6 miles this season on the defensive end — the seventh most in the NBA, per the tracking data on NBA. com/Stats. And opponents are shooting only 41.5 percent against Thompson, 3.5 percentage points below their typical average.
“He’s a high-, highcaliber player,” David West said. “He’s just very unique in his stamina, his ability to move the entire game.”
Warrior rookie Patrick McCaw has been guarding Thompson since the start of training camp and has quickly developed an appreciation for how different a defensive task it is to stick with him. With Thompson, it’s about the chase. You must remained focused and on the move at nearly all times, navigating through 7-foot moving road blocks while recognizing who has the ball.
“If you’re not there or a second late, you’re really not playing good defense honestly,” McCaw said. “You have to be where when he catches the ball.”
Because when he catches it, he shoots it. Thompson takes 9.1 catch and shoot jumpers per game. The next closest player in the league is Dirk Nowitzki at 7.6.
Then just as you get used to zipping around, Thompson and his sturdy base bump you off-balance with a quick two-dribble move to create space for a 14-footer, just like he did to Victor Oladipo on a second quarter possession in OKC.
“Very unique,” West said. “Very bottom-heavy and strong at 6-6, 6-7.”
Thompson also is one of the league’s most potent three-level players. There’s a randomness to his attack, which makes him hard to scout and predict. During this win streak, he took a baseline 16-footer in transition with 18 still on the shot clock and a rolling, fading 8footer against a sagging shot blocker. Those are rare NBA shots.
“Nope,” West said when asked if he could think of a comparison. “I mean, probably moves without the ball like (former Piston great) Rip (Hamilton). But his range is just ridiculous.”
Every day, it’s been n a little bit more progress for Kevin Durant and his rehabbing left knee. On Thursday, with the Warriors back practicing in Oakland after their recent trip, Durant wore a gamelike knee brace under his tights and tested his healing MCL sprain and bone bruise in team drills for the first time.
“Did a little bit more today, went through some 5-on-0 stuff, some lateral movement,” Steve Kerr said. “Seems like he makes a new stride each day. It’s a good sign.”
Durant injured his left knee three weeks from this past Tuesday. A fourweek re-evaluation timetable was released the next day. So the Warriors, Kerr said, will have their “first real update” next week.