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NBA Winners and Losers From First Quarter of 2014-15

By Michael Dunlap

Dec 6, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Winner: Klay Thompson

It wasn’t too long ago that Thompson was trade bait. The Minnesota Timberwolves were dangling Kevin Love and the key asset they wanted back was Thompson. Despite the fact that everyone and their mother were clamoring for the Warriors’ brass to pull the trigger, they stood pat, and the Warriors are much better off because of that.

At 19-2, the Warriors have the best record in the league and although Stephen Curry gets the lion’s share of the press, Thompson deserves a lot of love. Klay is averaging 21.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals with a shooting line of .447/.431/.877 and is an absolute perfect fit next to Curry.

Thompson has to be thanking his lucky stars that he didn’t end up in Minnesota, where without Ricky Rubio he’d be relying on Zach LaVine to set him up. As it turns out, the Warriors and their defense might not have wanted Love, because it would have stunted Draymond Green and Marreese Speights‘ growth.

Next: Melo's Full of Regret