Four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson has high hopes for his new team, the Dallas Mavericks. After spending 13 years with the Golden State Warriors, Thompson made the move to Dallas, aiming to continue his success and prove his value on both ends of the court.
Thompson made his preseason debut for the Mavericks, scoring 10 points on 3 of 9 shooting, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Despite Luka Doncic’s absence due to a calf injury, Thompson was excited about the potential of playing alongside him and Kyrie Irving.
Thompson expressed that it’s not just about winning outside of Golden State. He also wants to prove he can still be an elite defender. “I still want to get rid of that notion that I’m not the same defender I once was,” Thompson said after taking on defensive challenges in the preseason against Utah, via Eddie Sefko of mavs.com.
Feeling healthy and motivated, Thompson is eager to help the Mavericks with his defensive skills, particularly with the offensive firepower provided by Doncic and Irving. “It’s really nice when you have such great offensive players like Luka and Kai, and you don’t feel like you have to shoulder the load as much on that side of the ball,” he said.
Thompson is also optimistic about rekindling his chemistry with Irving, which they had while playing together for Team USA. “The times we have played together, we had great success with the USA team, so I really look forward to building that chemistry with him again,” Thompson noted.
While Thompson’s time playing with Doncic has been limited due to the star guard’s injury, he is excited about what’s to come when Doncic returns to the lineup. “When Luka comes back, it’s going to be even better,” he said, adding that he’s confident in what the trio can accomplish this season.
Thompson’s excitement for the season stems not only from his teammates but also from the Mavericks’ close call last season when they fell just short in the NBA Finals. “That’s a big reason why I came here, those two guys. I have big dreams and aspirations with this team,” he said.
Thompson’s motivation is higher than ever as he prepares for the regular season, which begins on October 24 after a few more preseason games. His desire to show that he can still make an impact as both a scorer and a defender is driving him to make a mark in Dallas.