Game 6 Klay Thompson
Each era in the NBA brings a new style of play to the forefront. The Warriors gave us 5 years of lights out shooting, igniting the Oracle to deafening cheer. We’ll talk about the Warriors dynasty, specifically the forgotten Splash Brother.
Klay Thompson is the ideal 2k MyPlayer. A 6’7 guard who shoots the lights out, while also having the ability to lock down the opponents best player. Being an unselfish star has allowed him to thrive in his situation. Golden State’s off the ball movement creates lanes and openings for the Splash Brothers to get good looks. All they need is a split second. Having a great shot makes the game so much easier. Once you’re stamped as a shooter, defenders can’t afford to not close out hard on a rotation.
Personally, I took the Golden State Era (Pre-KD) for granted. Two light skins were running teams out of their gym’s in the 1st half. When Steph or Klay shoot the ball, the opposing team’s fans groan in despair, expecting it to go in. Steph is transcendent, but let's focus on Klay.
Photo From: Sports Illustrated
Klay Thompson is a Top 5 shooter of all time. Here’s my list:
Stephen Curry
Ray Allen
Reggie Miller
Klay Thompson
Larry Bird
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His jumper might be the prettiest of them all. Klay Thompson seemed to be one of the pioneers of the “catch high, keep high” mantra. The mechanics on his release are fluid enough for him to never have to dip the ball off a catch, allowing him to get shots off in record time. What makes the Splash Brothers incredibly hard to guard, is their off ball movement. They wear their defenders out by weaving and meandering through screens...never giving their opponent time to rest. As a cherry on top, they have one of the best playmaking bigs in the game, Draymond Green.
The Warriors dynasty was not just offensive fireworks, they were also the best defense in the league for consecutive years. Draymond Green was the anchor, barking out commands and calling out screens to his teammates from the post. Klay Thompson had the assignment to guard the opposing team's best players. His defense on other All-Star caliber players in the playoffs like Damian Lillard, James Harden and Kyrie Irving showed why he is a Top 3 two way guard in the NBA when healthy.
Photo From: WKYC
Klay Thompson and teammate Draymond Green were named to the 2018-2019 NBA Defensive Team
The Microwave
I have never seen a player heat up like Klay Thompson. His explosive scoring ability is unprecedented in the NBA. What makes these performances even more spectacular, is the different ways he can give you a 50 ball. Whether it be back door cuts for layups and easy finishes, or tough buckets in clutch moments, Klay will fill up the stat sheet. The Warriors had a great problem. They had too much talent. In past years, Klay Thompson’s critics would come out of the shed to heap on slander due to his lack of scoring in a span of games.
Like clockwork, he would silence them with a 30 point quarter. Klay is able to play freely due to the immense trust he has for his teammates. Each of the Warriors stars knew, give the ball to whomever was hot that night.
Let’s take a look at some of Klay Thompson’s best Regular Season performances
Photo From: NBA.com
Klay Thompson scores 37 Points in a Quarter (NBA Record)
Went 13/13 shooting in the 3rd Qtr, including 9/9 from 3PT range. Singlehandedly outscoring the Kings by 15.
Photo From: Barstool Sports
Klay Thompson scores 60 points on 11 dribbles
Total time of possession: 90 seconds
Only logged 29 minutes of play, sat the entire fourth quarter.
Photo From: NPR
Klay Thompson sets record for 3PT in a single game (14)
Scores 52 points, Warriors led 92-50 at halftime
Game 6 Klay Thompson
As great as Klay Thompson can be in the regular season, he elevates his game to another level in the post season. The phrase “Game 6 Klay” can be compared to
Untucked Jersey Kyrie Irving
Gang Sign John Wall
Masked LeBron
Hoodie Melo
When his team has had their backs against the wall, Klay delivers with a timely bucket. He seems to relish playing on the road, as he bathes in the opponents fans tears. No better example than the 2016 Western Conference Semi-Finals. Golden State had fallen down 3-1 to the OKC Thunder.
Golden State’s dynasty and record setting season was on the brink of collapse, but Klay Thompson had other plans.
After winning Game 5 at home, Golden State went on the road to try and keep their season alive. With the season on the line, Klay Thompson had the best game of his career in a hostile environment.
This playoff series was full of stars. Stephen Curry was just named unanimous MVP, Kevin Durant won the award in 2014 and Russell Westbrook won in 2017. Even with 3 NBA MVP’s on the court, Klay Thompson was the best player in this game.
Going into the 4th quarter, the Warriors trailed the Thunder 83-75. Doubt seemed to be seeping into the minds of the Golden State players. Then Klay exploded, scoring 19 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter. Each shot seemed to rival the previous in difficulty. Games like these influence a players legacy tenfold, Klay was the beneficiary.
The ripple effects of this Game 6 are profound, but that’s a story for another day…
Photo From: The Mercury News
This was not the only time Klay saved his teams season…
2017-2018 WCF: Game 6
The Kevin Durant led Warriors rolled into the playoffs with a championship or bust mentality. Anything other than hoisting the Larry O’B would have been an abject failure of a season. The Houston Rockets took the role of David, as they tried to slay the Goliath in Golden State.
Houston took NBA fans by surprise, giving the Warriors a run for their money. James Harden and Chris Paul got whatever they wanted on offense, as the Rockets’ consistent three point barrage had the Warriors on the ropes. After Game 5, NBA fans across the world were in disbelief.
Could the Rockets pull off the impossible?
No. Why? Klay Thompson.
In another Game 6 for the ages, Klay Thompson scored 35 points to keep Golden State’s season alive. Klay finished the game with a +32 plus/minus rating. He shot 13 for 23, going 8 for 14 from deep. There are not many players I would take in today’s NBA over Klay Thompson. His game translates perfectly into playoff basketball.
Photo From: The Mercury News
Klay Thompson and the Warriors force Game 7
Golden State’s Championship Window
If I’ve learned anything from watching this season, it’s that the league is wide open. Small and mid market teams have been flourishing in this post season, proving to the rest of the league that super teams are mainly a thing of the past. If Klay Thompson is healthy by the playoffs, the Warriors championship hopes are live.
Stephen Curry silenced his critics this season, showing that he can carry a team without overwhelming help from other talented players. Players like JTA and Jordan Poole emerged as potential long term pieces for the Warriors, while James Wiseman was able to get his feet wet in the league before his injury. The Golden State Warriors enter next season with a new sense of hunger, as the look to prove that their championship window is still open. The Western Conference is comprised of duos, supported with highly talented role/plug and play players. The Warriors duo (Steph and Klay) match up with peers, their supporting cast will determine how deep they travel in the post season.
Klay will be returning from back to back severe injuries. On a bright note, his game is not as dependent on athleticism and explosion unlike other players. We’ll be wishing Klay good health for the upcoming season, the NBA is better when the Splash Brothers are healthy and relevant.
Photo From: Sports Cappers Picks
2015 NBA Finals
The beginning of the Golden State Warrior dynasty
Question for the Road
If you’re building a team, who do you take…Klay Thompson or Ray Allen?
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