Amidst a challenging season, Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors has faced adversity as he navigates through a scoring slump, witnessing a notable dip in his points per game average – from 21.9 to 16.9.
Despite the setbacks, the 34-year-old guard has displayed resilience and adaptability, accepting adjustments in his role within the team under head coach Steve Kerr’s guidance.
In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, Thompson scored a team-high 26 points, contributing significantly to the Warriors’ victory on the road.
During the postgame press conference, Thompson’s long-time teammate, Draymond Green, expressed admiration for Thompson’s demeanor and evolution within the team.
Green lauded Thompson’s composed and poised performance, highlighting his ability to settle into his new role seamlessly.
“I thought he looked really good tonight. He looked composed. He was not forcing anything. He looked like he was just at peace,” Green said.
Acknowledging Thompson’s growth and adjustment, Green emphasized the importance of allowing players to evolve and embrace new challenges within the team dynamic.
“I saw some quotes from earlier today where he was talking about Reggie Miller and Ray Allen, I don’t even know if it was a real quote, it felt like it was a real quote, but that’s great,” Green continued.
“You see guys taking these next steps that they taking, [Jonathan Kuminga]’s, [Brandin Podziemski]’s, you got to allow that growth and you got to be okay with that growth.
“I think Klay, he’s growing into that. That’s an interesting position to be in. So to see him settling in, I think it’s big for this team. We need Klay, we need a very good Klay, which will allow us to make a run.
“So it was great to see him get settled in tonight and take advantage of the lineups that was out there with him and got some easy shots. And then once he saw a couple go in, the rest is history.”
Despite Thompson’s struggles this season, Green reiterated his unwavering support and confidence in his teammate’s resilience and toughness.
“It’s my brother, you never want to see anyone struggle, you never want to see anyone get crushed by the media, crushed by the public. That’s a tough thing to deal with,” Green said. “But he’s resilient. Always been. I don’t worry about Klay. He’s tough as nails.
“So just got to support him. That’s where our job is to make sure we’re supporting him at all times and that he knows regardless of what’s going on outside of this locker room, the guys in the locker room have your back. I think that’s very important for us and important for him.”
