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Warriors need for Klay Thompson crystal clear after discouraging loss

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors warms up prior to Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors warms up prior to Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Despite the Golden State Warriors’ league-best start to the season, they were exposed against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns put Mikal Bridges on Stephen Curry, and the two-time MVP went just 4-for-21 from the field and 3-for-14 from deep.

The one key that should help Warriors management sleep at night following their third loss of th season is knowing that the best is still yet to come. James Wiseman and Klay Thompson are getting healthier by the day, and their return is expected this month.

Teams are going to throw their best defenders at Stephen Curry, and the more firepower Golden State has to counter that, the better off they are.

After fans were given a video of Klay Thompson hitting a scrimmage-winning three while playing with the team’s G-League affiliate, everyone should be eager for his return, and it should happen this month.

On Tuesday, fans were shown just why Thompson is important. Thompson takes the pressure off Curry, much as Jordan Poole did. Poole tallied a game-high 28 points, and he knocked down 6 triples.

It was great having Poole erupt, and he helped keep Golden State in the game with Curry struggling. However, Poole still isn’t the consistent threat that Thompson is, or at the very least was.

If both Poole and Curry struggle, it could be a nightmare for Golden State, and against ultra-aggressive teams like the Suns, it may happen more frequently than expected. That’s where the second splash brother comes into play.

Thompson averaged more than 20 points per game for five straight seasons and topped 40% from deep one each of eight seasons.

He’s that good, and he’ll be the difference-maker for Curry, who is often targeted why some of the league’s top defenders. Over Thompson’s career, the Warriors have been a significantly better team with him on the court.

Now, the Warriors need to be better, and they should be with Thompson. But, they’ve still proven enough to be considered championship contenders. They’ve taken down teams like Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

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With that in mind, the need for Thompson and his shooting and spacing, especially for Curry, is on display against top-tier teams, and it couldn’t have been for clear after one of the worst shooting performances of Curry’s career.

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