The Warriors dynasty is clearly at the end of its cycle. Draymond Green is more tense than ever, which is why it is currently suspended, and Klay Thompson also has difficulty accepting that his status has changed.
While he cannot come to an agreement with Golden State on a contract extension, the “Splash Brother” really wanted to make a place for himself in the next All-Star Game. To remind everyone that he's not finished, at almost 34 years old. An individual objective that fits poorly with the collective energy currently needed.
Stop forcing things
In Golden State's last three defeats, Klay Thompson had a 24% shooting success rate (8/34) with an awful 1/11 against Dallas. Enough to push Steve Kerr to speak with his player face to face.
“Steve and I had a great conversation yesterday that really helped me relax” explains the full-back/winger. “Sometimes I forget how successful and lucky I was, being part of a team that won titles, going to the All-Star Game, winning gold medals (with Team USA ). When we want to find that at all costs, we may be tempted to force it, rather than letting it come naturally. »
Klay Thompson thus recognizes that his state of mind has not necessarily been the right one lately.
“We had a conversation about really enjoying this final chapter of my career, about how lucky I am to still be able to play this game. To do it at a high level. That I need to be a better mentor to young people, be a leader by example. To be in the right energy every match. It made me understand that I had negative energy and that it was affecting the team” he continues humbly.
Be a good mentor
Enough to allow him to regain impact (15 points at 6/11 shooting) in the victory against Orlando, and above all not to force things in the hope of achieving his individual objectives.
“It changed my whole mindset, forgetting the shooting series, the points per game, the All-Star Game” he concludes. “Just enjoying wearing this Warriors jersey, compared to everything we've built, because it's such a rare opportunity for a professional athlete to have this much success. To try to pass the baton to the young people so that it continues.”
Klay Thompson | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
2011-12 | GOS | 66 | 24 | 44.3 | 41.4 | 86.8 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 12.5 |
2012-13 | GOS | 82 | 36 | 42.2 | 40.1 | 84.1 | 0.4 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 16.6 |
2013-14 | GOS | 81 | 35 | 44.4 | 41.7 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 18.4 |
2014-15 | GOS | 77 | 32 | 46.3 | 43.9 | 87.9 | 0.4 | 2.9 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 21.7 |
2015-16 | GOS | 80 | 33 | 47.0 | 42.5 | 87.3 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 22.1 |
2016-17 | GOS | 78 | 34 | 46.8 | 41.4 | 85.3 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 22.3 |
2017-18 | GOS | 73 | 34 | 48.8 | 44.0 | 83.7 | 0.4 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 20.0 |
2018-19 | GOS | 78 | 34 | 46.7 | 40.2 | 81.6 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 21.5 |
2021-22 | GOS | 32 | 29 | 42.9 | 38.5 | 90.2 | 0.5 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 20.4 |
2022-23 | GOS | 69 | 33 | 43.6 | 41.2 | 87.9 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 21.9 |
2023-24 | GOS | 31 | 30 | 41.6 | 37.7 | 89.9 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 16.7 |
Total | 747 | 33 | 45.4 | 41.4 | 85.4 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 19.6 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.