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Golden State Warriors: Power ranking all 15 members of the 2018-19 roster

By Nathan Beighle

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 108-85 to win the 2018 NBA Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts late in the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Klay Thompson

Just like his personality, Klay Thompson comes in calmly, and probably without complaining, as the 4th best player on the Warriors.  While he compliments the other Warriors’ style of play well, his shooting alone would likely make him the #1 or #2 scoring option on any other team in the league.

Even with Steph and KD carrying the bulk of the scoring, Klay still managed to average 22.3 points per game and 20.0 points per game in the ‘16-17 and ‘17-18 seasons, respectively.  And he does so without much fuss, pomp, or dribbling.

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Klay is one of the best off-ball players in the league.  Without the ball, he is constantly in motion throughout a play, running around screens, cutting to the rim, and always trying to find his spot.  He famously scored 60 points in 29 minutes in 2016, while only totaling 11 dribbles the entire game.

But his defense is where his value skyrockets.

He is known as one of the best on-ball defenders in the league.  On any given night, he can be spotted hounding the opponent’s best guard, ranging from DeMar DeRozan to Russell Westbrook.

Klay’s footwork, anticipation, and 6’9” wingspan are all great assets for him, and when asked last year, even Kyrie Irving couldn’t believe Klay has never made an All-Defense team. At the end of the day, Thompson isn’t going to wow crowds with dribbling like Curry or get to the rim constantly like Durant.

In fact, the closest comparison to Klay Thompson probably isn’t on the Warriors at all.  With his constant off-ball movement, propensity to hit 3’s, and relentless work on defense, Klay is more like the Energizer Bunny.

He just keeps going and going and going. -CF

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