Klay Thompson has had the “washed” tag thrown at him more times to count this season, but Steph Curry and Steve Kerr never lost faith.
Across his last six games, Thompson’s average points per night has shot up from 14.8 PPG to 25.7 PPG and the Warriors are 5-1.
After Golden State’s latest 126-106 win over Portland, Curry spoke about how Klay has turned things around.
“The competitive spirit and a healthy ego of understanding who you are as player and responding when things don’t go your way,” Curry said of his longtime teammate. “That’s what we’ve done for our entire career. He has shown time after time to make certain adjustments and he’s done that. Let the game come to him and make the easy play…Consistently, the ball is moving, he’s finding good looks. And that’s the Klay Thompson we know.”
Dubs head coach Kerr also praised Thompson for his ability to recognise his mistakes and correct them with better shot selection.
“Shot selection is the biggest thing with Klay,” Kerr said. “Over the last five games, he’s just taking better shots um and as a result, our team is more settled.”
Klay’s breakout form has come at the same time forward Draymond Green has been suspended “indefinitely” by the league.
But Kerr is choosing to focus on Thompson’s form, rather than how much more efficient the rest of the team seem to be without Draymond.
“We’re operating more efficiently,” Kerr said. “We know he’s coming off screens. If he’s open, he’s shooting. If he’s not, he’s moving it and when he does that, he’s at his best and we’re at our best.”
33-year-old Klay said after the win over the Trail Blazers “I feel like I can still be better.”
Klay’s redemption incoming?
Watch this space.
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