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Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson may look to break career-long drought

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he runs back down court after making a basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center on January 02, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts as he runs back down court after making a basket against the Atlanta Hawks at Chase Center on January 02, 2023 in San Francisco, 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, but the Golden State Warriors’ veteran is still looking to add more elements to his game as enters the twilight of his career.

Thompson has seldom been known for anything aside from his three-point shooting and defense, with that combination proving an incredible foil next to his backcourt teammate and two-time MVP Stephen Curry.

Golden State Warriors’ sharpshooter Klay Thompson may be hoping to record a maiden triple-double before his career is finished.

With Curry and Andrew Wiggins out of the Warrior lineup, Thompson has rose to the burden of increased scoring responsibility over the last two games. The 33-year-old had 12 threes and 42 points to lead Golden State past the Houston Rockets on Friday, then followed that up with six threes and 32 points in a 109-104 comeback win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

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But while the Warriors need Thompson’s scoring right now, he still wants to impact games in a multitude of ways. At 33-years-old, the five-time All-Star is still looking to improve the rebounding and playmaking elements of his game, with some encouragement from assistant coach Bruce Fraser.

"“He (Fraser) told me I’m going to go down as one of the greatest to ever shoot it no matter if the ball goes in or not. He’s just telling me to go for triple-doubles and round out my whole entire game…That really resonated with me and I’m going to try to continue to rebound at a high rate and play-make the rest of the season and my career”, Thompson said after the win over the Rockets."

The four-time champion has never recorded a triple-double in his illustrious career to date. In fact, Thompson has only ever had four double-doubles, the last of which came on December 18, 2018 in a 17-point, ten-rebound display against the Los Angeles Lakers. He only had two assists that night, so fair to say the triple-double wasn’t close.

Thompson had seven rebounds against the Rockets and five against the Timberwolves, showing their may be some growth in that aspect having averaged just 3.9 on the season. He also had four assists on Sunday, including a beautiful pump fake and drive before finding an open Donte DiVincenzo for the go ahead three in the closing minutes.

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Although some stronger rebounding would be important particularly in small-ball lineups, recording double-doubles and triple-doubles simply isn’t in the makeup of Thompson’s game. Four championships in eight seasons would suggest he and the Warriors have done fine without them. Still, recording a triple-double might be a checkmark the future hall of famer wants to tick off before his career is done.

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