Offensively reintegrating Klay Thompson – a challenge the Warriors nailed

Klay Thompson has played 14 games for the Golden State Warriors this season.  They lost four of those games but still sit pretty with 40-13, the second-best record in the league,  a stark contrast from the abysmal overall 39-33 in 2020-21.

Couple this with a look at his last five games (he didn’t play against the San Antonio Spurs) and safe to say, the offensive reintegration of Klay Thompson is complete. It wasn’t without a challenge or two, but they have nailed it.

Here’s a quick look at his minutes and numbers since January 25:

vs Dallas Mavericks (won 130-92): 25:38 minutes | 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists

vs Minnesota Timberwolves (won 124-115): 26:59 minutes | 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists

vs Brooklyn Nets (won 110-106): 26:47 minutes | 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists

vs Houston Rockets (won 122-108): 26:17 minutes | 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists

vs Sacramento Kings (126-114): 23:45 minutes | 23 points, 5 rebounds, and seven assists

How did the ‘The Klay Thompson reintegration’ go for the Golden State Warriors? About as good as you could have asked for.

In the words of BTS, not “smooth like butter”. Understandably, Thompson wanted the ball more and the prolific shooter that he is, especially with those clutch catch-and-shoots, he attempted a shot every single minute.

Ideally, there was no pressure. The Warriors, despite the absence of Draymond Green, were notching up wins and although he passed the ball less (it’s almost childlike really, but try missing two years of competitive basketball) often freezing Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, he made up for it with those key tosses to his mates against the Mavs.

The blowout win also saw his minutes being bumped up just over 25, something the Warriors consciously kept an eye on. Steve Kerr had changed the rotation pattern. Thompson would get six minutes each quarter where he would start filling the stat sheet and that measured approach worked, something he acknowledged time and again.

The gradual buildup, something they could afford courtesy, their healthy record in the West has also brought back the much-awaited splash brothers’ chemistry. The reunion will be complete with Green who’s targeting a three-to-four-week window to suit up.

The explosive performance against the Kings was proof that their approach, Thompson’s faith, and patience paid off. He notched up 20 points in the first half. He ended the evening with 8-of-11 from the field and 7-of-9 from the 3-point range.

That it was against a side that didn’t select him during the draft in 2011 made it extra special. Per NBC Sports, he said:

"“Hey man, 2011 NBA Draft, with the 10th pick, the Sacramento Kings don’t select me,” Thompson told Bonta Hill, Chris Mullin, and Dorell Wright on Warriors Postgame Live. “People don’t forget. That’s all I got to say.”"

Safe to say, this was the best he shot. This is the sort of firepower Klay Thompson brings to the table and it augurs well for the side that has 29 games to go.

There will be a few more breaks for Thompson no doubt. The team is poised for a top-three finish in the regular seasons and with the think-tank ensuring that Thompson started getting fitter and game-ready by the day, the odds of Golden State winning a championship just increase.

It’s like Rocky’s first piece of advice to a young Adonis Creed – “One step at a time. One punch at a time. One round at a time.” And just like that, Thompson’s a light foot and he’s just getting started.