Klay Thompson: “With everything I’ve been through, I really appreciate nights like this” | NBA

Night after night, Klay Thompson shows “flashes” of the player he was. Last night against the Kings, the intensity of this light was greater than the other nights. ESPN reports that ahead of the encounter, Bob Myers had assured that the back was physically ahead since returning from injury. And that on a technical level, in shooting, it would come with time.

The leader probably did not imagine what was to follow. Klay Thompson, who was unaware of his GM’s comments before coming on, converted his first seven shots. He notably took advantage of the passes to reverse the game of Stephen Curry (sometimes at high risk!) to sanction in the corners.

Find the right rhythm

With four award-winning baskets in the second quarter alone, he scored the majority of his 23 points (8/11 on shots including 7/9 from afar) in this period. His 3-point success also allowed him to overtake Kobe Bryant in 20th place among the most prolific shooters in history (1,829 converted shots).

” It feels crazy”, enthuses the top scorer of the Warriors on this match. “With everything I’ve been through, I really appreciate nights like this. The shooting aspect is so cool, and when you see that hard work pays off, it doesn’t feel like it did a few years ago. Being happy can be so fragile in what we do, it can be taken away from us in an instant.“

The five-time All-Star has now moved on from those serious career-altering injuries. After having known the worst, he is now trying to revive the player he was. Last night, he believes he played at the right tempo, which allowed him to chain long-distance shots like in the good old days. While since his return, he has sometimes tended to force his shots to find sensations as quickly as possible.

His team already having a 19-point lead at the break, he then slowed down the pace and got involved in other areas of the game. He thus completed his 23 points with seven assists (best mark of the season ) and five rebounds. ” I’m proud of myself for not trying to force things in the second half. I had 20 points on the clock, thinking to myself that I could have put 40 points or something like that, but I think I had a very complete match “he detailed as well.

Best passing average

” He had that look in his eyes, the one we like to see. It was a big boost for the whole team. “Describes Stephen Curry, author of 20 points (7/11) and 7 assists. The “Splash Brothers” thus gave a good overview of what they are still capable of doing. And this with a reduced playing time because Klay Thompson was limited, as since his return to play, to 24 minutes.

Beyond his success in shooting, his coach appreciates his quality of passes. Despite his lower average playing time, the back indeed displays his best passing production, with just over three offerings per game. ” I think he’s always had that in him.”, Judge Steve Kerr. “We have more space on the floor at the moment. With those spaces he penetrates and does a good job of finding open players.“

Stephen Curry sees this as a sign of a Klay Thompson definitely back as he is targeted by opposing defenses.

” He has to keep finding that balance because we know he can shoot and score. Until he has his full playing time of 30+ minutes, that balance is very important for him to continue to have rhythm in our attack.“, Ends his companion from the back lines.