Klay Thompson is set to come off the Golden State Warriors bench for the second straight game. Thompson has endured a turbulent season; he has struggled to provide a consistent impact on both ends of the floor. As such, Steve Kerr has begun experimenting with ways to get the best from his aging sharpshooter. The initial return on Thompson’s new role was encouraging; He dropped 35 points against the Utah Jazz on Feb. 15.
Steph Curry shared his thoughts on Thompson being moved to the bench when speaking to ESPN’s Malika Andrews as part of an exclusive interview. He noted how his long-time teammate responded in the best way possible and that he will likely continue to do so.
“For him, there’s only one way for him to respond: the way that he did,” Curry said. “I think there’s been a lot of narratives around his season and since he’s come back from his injuries – a lot unfair. … I think the natural evolution of all of our careers is trying to figure out how to continue to win, but it might look a little different. The way that he responded is the Klay Thompson that I know — the true competitor, the true dawg. He got [expletive] off and said, ‘Watch this.’ I think a lot of it is just knowing who he is.”
Thompson has played in 50 games for Golden State this season. He’s averaging 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists, shooting 42.1% from the field and 37.3% from 3-point range.
Thompson finds himself in a tough position. Free agency looms. He needs to prove he remains a vital member of Golden State’s core. Kerr could be inclined to keep him within that role if he excels off the bench. If he struggles, it could affect how much the franchise is willing to offer in negotiations in the summer.
Thompson has to thread the needle. Fortunately, he’s been proving himself for his entire career. Another hurdle is unlikely to stop him.
