In the last two games of the first round and then in the first game against the Lakers, Klay Thompson was 21/64 on shots (32%), including 10/35 from 3-pointers (28%). Steve Kerr may well sing the defensive praises of his player, the lack of address of the “Splash Brother” began to seriously get on the nerves of the principal concerned.
“I knew he was going to be in his game. Yesterday you could feel his frustration. He was frustrated with his performance and our Game 1 performance. described Draymond Green. “As soon as he arrived in the locker room, I knew he was going to play a big game. And when we manage to find him, we know that he is one of the best shooters in history. »
In the rhythm of the attack
Tonight, Klay Thompson started slowly before catching fire in the second quarter. Unlike the last three games, the “Splash Brother” showed a lot of patience to find good shots.
It was the theme of the evening for the Warriors. They indeed needed a game to feel the Lakers’ size and defensive pressure to adjust.
“The key to the game was our 38 assists” pointed the finger at Steve Kerr after the meeting. “The key for us is to be able to find our movement, our rhythm, and continue to play simple, not to force. When you play like that, it allows Klay to find open shots and that’s what happened tonight. »
Klay Thompson benefited from the accuracy of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green (21 assists and only 5 balls lost to them from them) to catch fire. With the Lakers defense focused on Stephen Curry, the Warriors increased their pick and roll count, forcing Anthony Davis to shuttle between the circle and the 3-point line. The leader was able to find Draymond Green on the “roll” and the latter found Klay Thompson open on the opposite.
Klay Thompson was also able to take screens from Draymond Green on the Warriors’ second or third offensive moves to punish the stamina of the center of the Lakers and his defense in “drop”.
In the wake of a much more active and effective Draymond Green in defense, the Warriors were able to chain stops to run in transition. Opposing coaches may harp on their team not to let go of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in transition, but that’s often easier said than done at real speed.
The benefits of the ocean
“These are issues that you talk about before the show even begins. And it’s not one person’s fault, it has to be a collective effort because these guys shoot and score a lot from 3-pointers, so it’s hard to defend and stop.” explained Darvin Ham. “Often in transition or on different actions, you end up switching and that’s when they punish you. »
Klay Thompson therefore often found himself in the role of the finisher. He scored 25 points in the second and third quarters at 9/14 on shots, and 7/9 from 3-point range to create a decisive gap, forcing the Lakers to wave the white flag as soon as the third quarter ended.
In 31 minutes, the “Splash Brother” passed his frustration on his opponent while remaining zen. “Tonight, I was calmer, I let the game come to me, I told myself to be patient, and it paid off. »
The series now moves to Los Angeles and Klay Thompson knows the Lakers will be ready to do battle again on Saturday for Game 3. How will he prepare and stay focused? By diving into the Pacific Ocean.
“Diving in the ocean, playing with the waves, it regenerates you, it refocuses you mentally and spiritually” he said, applying himself to making his traditional paper plane with the sheet of statistics from the meeting. “I am a believer in the healing powers of the ocean. » The Lakers have been warned.
Interview in San Francisco.
