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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Gilbert Arenas makes bold claim regarding Warriors’ Klay Thompson

Gilbert Arenas doesn’t believe Klay Thompson has ever improved his game. The former NBA star sees the Golden State Warriors sharpshooter as a catch-and-shoot threat and nothing more, claiming that Thompson has failed to add any new dimensions to his overall skillset.

Arenas’ comments came via a recent episode of his “Gil’s Arena” podcast, where he was discussing the growth of Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies. The former point guard used Thompson as an example of a player who has stuck to a specific skill throughout their career rather than looking to diversify what they bring to the table.

“Klay Thompson, he never improved to me,” Arenas said. “He came in as a spot shooter, and even though you have four championships, you’re still a spot shooter. Versus someone who’s like, ‘Ok, they might need me to do something else, and I might need to have that skill set.'”

Arenas’ comments are wide of the mark. Thompson is more than just a spot-up shooter. Throughout his career, he’s proven he can score around the rim, knock down mid-range jumpers, and consistently create his own space off the dribble. Thompson has also been a high-level defender for the majority of his career.

It’s not that Thompson hasn’t evolved his game. It’s that he hasn’t needed to show those improvements on a consistent basis. You don’t become a core part of a dynasty by not continually improving your craft, even if those improvements are regularly displayed.

Whether Thompson gets an opportunity to prove he’s more than a spot shooter before calling time on his career will remain to be seen.

 

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