The long process of rehabbing two serious injuries will finally end Sunday for Klay Thompson, and the Warriors guard is determined to prove that he’s as good as ever, writes Nick Friedell of ESPN. Thompson bought a boat and focused on helping his younger teammates during his extended break, but nothing took his mind off his desire to start playing again. He’s “hungrier” than ever to help Golden State make an impact in the playoffs after missing the last two postseasons.
“I know myself. I know how good I am,” Thompson said. “I know the things I’ve done. … It’s like — how many times do I have to do something that no one else has ever done before and get respect? Do I have to go score 50 in a quarter now? Like, what the hell? It’s whatever though, man. It’s over with. I’m going to use it as fuel.”
Thompson’s return to the court will be a monumental event for the franchise, coach Steve Kerr said at a press conference today, per Mark Medina of NBA.com. Kerr compared it to Michael Jordan‘s return to basketball in 1995 and expects it to be “one of the most emotional games that any of us would ever be a part of.”
“I have no doubt when Klay walks onto the floor for the first time, I will never forget that game,” Kerr said. “It will stand out as one of the highlights of my entire basketball existence just because of who Klay is and how much he has meant to our franchise and to the Bay area and to me personally and to his teammates. He’s everybody’s favorite guy and we’ve all seen him suffer for two-and-a-half years. It’ll be very emotional.”
There’s more on the Warriors:
- Golden State got a look at its future in Thursday’s game at New Orleans as injuries resulted in extended playing time for rookies Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, notes Connor Letourneau of The San Francisco Chronicle. “I think they’re right on schedule,” Kerr said. “I think they’re both really working hard every single day, putting the work in, learning what it’s about to be an NBA player. … It’s not easy, especially for 19-year-old kids. They’re learning, and they’re doing a great job.”
- James Wiseman, who hasn’t played since having knee surgery last season, continues to make progress, tweets Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Kerr is hoping that during the next road trip, Wiseman can participate in 3-on-3 games or 1-on-1 drills against another center.
- Kerr sidestepped a question today about possibly bringing back DeMarcus Cousins, who was waived Thursday by the Bucks, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link). Cousins played for Golden State in 2018/19.
Warriors have 3 players under 21 that have super star potential in the future. All being taught by the previous 3 that are HOF. There is a very bright future for the team.
Horton Tucker gets the same pay as Luka Doncic and Ja Morant
Same age same pay
Why didn’t Lakers trade Tucker for Luka or Morant?
Every top pick has super star potential, but few ever reach that status. Sure, having 3 of them increases your odds significantly but the range of outcomes is so wide that it’s impossible to say how bright the future would be right now. For all we know, one could end as a bust, one a bench guy, and one a good starter. Or all three could end up being above average starters+.
It’s like when fans automatically assume that because a franchise would have a lot of young talent/picks that they’re automatically set for the future. Not quite so. It’s not until later on that you would begin to get a true sense of just what certain guys might actually become.
Not saying I would be concerned at all for the Warriors right now. Just making a general statement based on past observations.
I believe the confidence comes from the fact that this management/ownership group/coaching staff/etc has absolutely killed it in the draft, especially for a team that had the 28-30th pick for several years. Poole, Mulder, Lee, JTA, Looney-guys they picked up, and developed into legitimate NBA players.
Big time starters like HB/Draymond/Ezeli/Klay/Steph, all developed into above average NBA contributors.
Heck, even guys they didn’t draft, like Wiggins, JaVale, GP2, Justin Holiday, Mo Speights, Alfonzo McKinnie, Quin Cook, Ian Clark, etc that they developed, went from Shaqtin’ MVP to Real NBA Player.
Moody doesn’t have to be a star, if he’s Damion Lee with plus-defense, that’s a win(a 12/5/2 with a 35-39% 3ptr).
Kuminga doesn’t have to be a world beater, but if he’s a capable 2-way big wing, that can defend and score easy buckets inside, he extends the careers of Steph and Klay.
It’s not just “they have some young guys—instant HOF!!” But more so the track record of a team that’s able to get the best out of their players, regardless of their background. Most NBA players, ARENT STARTERS!
Plus, Starters are a LOT easier to find than solid rotation guys. Every off-season there’s new starters on the trade block/hitting FA, but to find and keep a guy that plays 20+ minutes a night and helps your team?
Those guys don’t grow on trees, and it’s that depth that can really make a difference. Often times they get good then sign somewhere else to be a bigger piece and fail or resign for a payday and strap the team from improving other spots. Getting these guys’ bird rights has always been a part of GSW’s plan. When Poole hits FA, they can be over the threshold and give him a rookie max extension, because they have his bird rights. Same with Looney, Lee and JTA. Wiggins too.
Everyone said this off-season that GSW were the losers of FA, yet they finished 2020/21 15-4 with a 9 man rotation of Steph/Bazemore/Wigs/Dray/Loon, Poole/JTA/Mulder/GP2.
Lee, Oubre, Paschall, Wiseman, and Klay we’re hurt, Jordan Bell was picked up on a 10 day, Nico Mannion was out of the rotation.
They took that 9man rotation and built off that. Replaced Bazemore with Klay Thompson, Oubre with Porter, Paschall with Bjelicia, Wanamaker with Iggy, Bell with Kuminga, Mulder with Moody, Mannion with Chiozza.
Now they have
Steph/Klay/Wigs/Dray/Loon
Poole/Porter/Bjelicia/Iggy/JTA/
Lee/GP2/Kuminga/Chiozza/Moody.
They let go of 4-6 guys that weren’t helping them anyways, saw they had their best success at the end of the year with 8-9 guys, then built off that with high IQ guys that fit the system.
I get Klay’s frustration, but there are not too many players on the north side of 30 that can come back from multiple significant injuries—or in this case, two of the worst injuries a basketball player can suffer. No one is questioning his abilities, but everyone’s body is a ticking timebomb.
That said, I think that given his style of play and profile he should stand a better chance than most of remaining quite effective even now.
I think his defense will take the biggest hit, which is part of the reason he was so good and somehow still under appreciated
Yeah, that’s going to be the big question mark. It’s certainly going to take some measure of hit; it just depends on how much.
I think a good outcome would be him remaining a bit above average defender. Neutral would him being an average defender.
His shooting might also be affected, i think.
The shooting doesn’t go away.., it only gets better over time.
It could affect the lift on his shot I guess. But I wouldn’t worry too much about that just yet.
In any event, it may take him awhile to get into a rhythm one would figure.
Yeah, and that’s especially later on into games when he starts getting up to 25+minutes per game. That could definitely impact his shot, but I think with time Klay will adjust no doubt.
Personally, I think the biggest difference will be in his ability to be a true lock down, perimeter defender. I’m not so sure he’ll be able to move laterally as well as he once could, and I certainly don’t expect him to play both ways so hard right away for 30+ min.
KD’s comeback matters. Idk if you guys remember, but KD’s Achilles surgery was a groundbreaker. Most doctors go their entire career without ever repairing an Achilles of a 7fter that moves like a guard.
His heel is at least 30 inches from his knee. They have to pull and stretch that tendon to connect it to the calf.
If KD looks like this, I’m not worried about Klay’s. His was all routine surgery, nothing abnormal. KD’s had a room full of doctors and students watching history. I’m not concerned about Klay, whatsoever. Basketball players age, and that’s the reason GSW is tooootally fine with the contract of Andrew Wiggins. They’re paying him to contribute, yes, but they’re fine paying a premium for a 6’7 25yo in incredible shape that can run for 40 minutes and play 82 games.
Wiggins, Poole, Moody, Porter, Kuminga, Lee, JTA, all mean more to GSW specifically because their core group is aging, so they value the athleticism.
I’d love to trade Moody or Wiseman for Saddiq Bey, as Steph/Klay/Wigs/Bey/Dray would be incredible, but we’ll see.
But that’s the reason they won’t do the Ben trade either. GSW needs to come out of any big trade with at least two, 2-way wings. If they could put out Steph/Klay/Wigs/Ben/Dray, they would in a heartbeat, but they’d have to move Wigs in a Ben trade so it’s a non-starter. Not bc Wiggins is so much better than Ben, but because his value as a 3 and D guy that can play every day means so much more to this aging core.
Steph/Klay/Wigs/Bey/Dray is a better lineup than the Death Lineup of
Steph/Klay/Iggy/Barnes/Dray that won 73 games. Bey is about 20lbs heavier than Wigs, so he’d be helpful with some of the bigger big wings, but the fact that he’s more of a 3 and D guy means that he’d be crucial moving forward as Kuminga’s running mate, and Kuminga effectively replaces Wiggins(just without the bad habits learned in Minnesota).
How did him buying a boat factor in here? Lol
They’re just mentioning what he did for two years away from the game. Mentor the kids and buy a boat. That was it actually.
Nothing else to mention so you have to mention the boat lol. The man’s been in the gym grinding every single day for over 2 years. He bought a boat it’s big news LOL
Kids will be superstars….Superstars play minutes,not run with 2nd units.Exactly when will Poole,Moody,Kominga,& the big fella get the mins needed .Poole is a nice chess piece that’s now probably worth a first rounder in a trade.But next month w/ Klay and Curry rolling & ballin the mins will be shorter for a revamped 2nd unit.Wiseman knows the system now & he’s finally healthy.Sky’s still the limit imo.But No mins means a slide in value
Poole has started in almost every game this season and gotten tons of minutes with the superstars. Dude is worth way more than a first with his age, remaining upside, and team control. Moody hasnt earned minutes yet, and frankly wont till he gets his 3PT working. Kuminga keeps getting more run with the big boys, but as a very young very raw rookie its probably best he does it this way since it builds more good habits than getting free reign to make mistakes and get beat like Rockets rookies.
Most NBA players take a while to be stars. Kuminga is on Giannis pace. Wiseman is on Embiid pace. Moody plays good D right now just need to keep playing like scoring 31 pts in G league. All have talent. As much PR Poole is getting the other 3 will pass him up.
No Klay, you don’t have to score 50 in a quarter now. You just have to show that after TWO MAJOR knee surgeries that you’re back to All-Star status if you can. That would be amazing.
You already have the respect of the entire league for what you’ve done to this point. You come back from these setbacks in a big way and you will only ADD to your legacy.
Nobody’s disrespecting you.., not that I see in anything I’ve read or heard. Questioning a come back from two major surgeries like this is normal and NOT a disrespect to you as a player or a person.
I feel like he’s framing things that way just to give himself an extra sort of edge coming back. Self manipulation, if you will.
Or maybe that was his mindset during his recovery. Can’t blame him for it considering how long he was away from the game.
Yes you’re probably right. He must be focusing on the occasional tweets and comments that he’s done because of the two major surgeries. He’s out to prove he’s not done. Good point.
Klay Thompson is as fragile as his Father was OH YEAH Klay’s Father was the #1 draft pick in the 1978 NBA Draft while Klay was the 11th pick in his draft class
NBA draft order
Klay’s father – 1 overall
Otto Porter father – 1 overall
Payton II father – 2 overall
Steph father – nba draft?
Who else?
Wishing Klay the best. Go for it Player .
As a shooter he will find a place. I think his D will change. Cause he was a very good defender. Warriors best 2way player. If Bernard made it back to be an all star. Klay can comeback and be effective. Warriors are a good deep team now. They don’t need the best Klay just an effective Klay. Good luck bro ….
Forget personal stats! Just have fun, dont get hurt, make couple 3 pointers a game, and let’s go win another Title !!!