While the West Coast has been experiencing a chilly entrance like by no means earlier than, Klay Thompson has been as sizzling as fish grease the final two months. He started to warmth up across the holidays and hasn’t slowed down regardless of all discuss him being “washed.” If this model of Thompson is washed, throw me within the spin cycle proper now. Thompson’s additionally been a major a part of retaining Golden State afloat whereas fellow splash brother Stephen Curry is out with a leg harm.
Since ringing in the brand new 12 months, Klay has three video games the place he’s made not less than 10 three-point makes an attempt, and in two of these, he hit 12. In the sport the place he hit 10 threes, he scored 54 factors and shot practically 54 p.c total from the sphere. In the calendar 12 months of 2023, Thompson is averaging 26.3 factors per recreation which is properly above his season common of twenty-two.1. That’s not half dangerous for a man many slapping the washed label on earlier this season.
Those who assume Thompson is finished aren’t paying consideration. The Warriors are hanging within the playoff race proper now, and he’s an enormous a part of why that’s attainable. Another a part of the Warriors’ championship huge three, Draymond Green, is now MIA due to a knee harm. After beating Minnesota at dwelling Sunday night time, the Warriors climbed again above .500 and at the moment sit in seventh place within the western convention.
With Curry and Green out of the lineup, the three-point sniper turns into the de facto chief of this younger group of Warriors who’ve struggled at instances this season. Andrew Wiggins, who was enormous in Golden State’s title run final 12 months, has additionally been out and in of the lineup this 12 months attributable to nagging accidents and has missed the final 4 video games himself.
There hasn’t been a time when Thompson’s presence has been extra vital in latest reminiscence. Definitely not, since he returned from a two-year harm hiatus final season. So, let’s cease with this narrative that this man is all washed up and may’t nonetheless play at a excessive degree. It’s simply not true. And when you’ve counted the Warriors out due to them hovering round .500 all season, don’t sleep on them within the postseason. None of those prime groups within the west need to see a wholesome Golden State in a seven-game collection.
The defending champs are only a half-game again of Dallas for sixth within the west and one recreation behind the Clippers for fifth. With 21 video games left on the schedule, the Warriors might get their guys again wholesome at simply the fitting time, much like how issues shook out final 12 months. And everyone knows what occurred as soon as it was profitable time within the playoffs. The champs reclaimed their throne and put all of the doubters to sleep. That’s what Klay is doing, laying all these false claims to relaxation.