Golden State Warriors: Will Klay Thompson Be An All-Star This Season?
By Marcus Bass
At the peak of summer, who knew if Klay Thompson would start the 2014-15 season with the Golden State Warriors? More often than not, the trading block is a gateway to player insecurity and at times resentment.
It only takes one time to be placed on it to feel unwanted and once you’re there, the rest of the league brands you as expendable. It makes no difference that Thompson was only linked to one of the best power forwards in the NBA, and thankfully for the Warriors, he’s high on self confidence and grounded in reality.
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Even a good showing on the world’s stage while playing with Team USA in Spain for the FIBA World Cup won’t get Thompson too hyped. He knows how far he’s come from Washington State University and how long he has to go until the title All-Star shooting guard can be added to his resume.
If shooting within the top three in 3-point field goals for the last two seasons, and finishing 18th in points on the 2013-14 season says anything, it’s that Thompson can expect an All-Star year. There were five Western Conference guards who poured in more buckets than Thompson last year, and a few of them were left off the All-Star roster.
Thompson finished ninth in voting. There’s no doubt after adding Team USA to his resume, he’ll finish higher.
Regardless as to how Thompson ranks among shooting guards in the West, his publicity from the Kevin Love trade talks is enough visibility to push him over the top. Those who weren’t paying attention for the last three seasons will want to see why Thompson was almost good enough to trade for Love.
There will be more eyeballs glued to Thompson when he takes the floor this season, and all signs point to him being ready for the extra attention.
Thompson put up 18.4 points per game last season, shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 41.7 from 3. His career stats are pretty impressive as well, shooting 43.5 percent in field goals and 41 percent from deep.
It’s a catch-22 for Thompson. He’s been known primarily as a shooter his entire career, and while he’s shown an ability to defend, drive the ball and finish with force, unfortunately when you do something exceptionally well (like shooting), you get typecast.
Thompson will have to keep knocking down deep shots, while putting the other areas of his game on display. Simply put, he just needs to play his game.
Playing for Team USA can give a player a greater sense of confidence. It’s been a positive for Thompson and the Warriors.
His stock is rising. The team knows it and Thompson’s well aware also. When asked about his intentions for the upcoming year, Thompson took a second to be partial just as he always has.
A dash of humility sprinkled with confidence, he told the San Jose Mercury News:
"“I always thought people already do know who I am. I want to be great. That comes with pressure. It comes with eyes on you. In year four, I’m looking to take a huge leap like I did last year.”"
He’ll leap and land both feet into the kicks of an All-Star reserve at the least. He’ll continue to play the tough-nosed gritty game that got him to playing valuable minutes in global competition.
Klay Thompson will continue to do what he does. It’s up to the rest of the world to finally take notice.