FA: Klay Thompson Comes to Dallas| 3yrs/50mil

[The Jom]

I have a completely different take on Klay with the Mavs. Everyone here is worried about a POA defender. I think Klay can still be that and actually play better defense than DJJ. Let me explain why.

DJJ was great at staying in front of players and making things very difficult on them. His help defense was very good as well.

Klay can still stay in front of players and has no problem guiding them into help. The difference is that Klay creates more turnovers. That's not something DJJ did a ton of.

Klay has incredibly active hands. He is much smarter on defense than DJJ too. There is a reason that Klay is getting $50m/3 and DJJ is getting $30m/3. Shooting does play a big part of that. But, Klay will also have a positive impact on Luka and Kai playing defense as well.

Luka and Kai are getting worn down playing defense. It's because of the style of defense they have been playing. They are playing more to slow down the offensive player. POA or Man to Man. That's a hard style to play due to it being more exhausting and it still not always stopping the opponent. Klay has never really played that type of defense. He plays more of a ball hawking defense. That's what GS has played through their dynasty. It's also an easier style to play in that it doesn't wear you down as much.

Watch closely with Klay. He plays what I always called a swipe and grab defense. Dirk played that style. Klay is very strong. So, he will slide his feet at the POA of the player then swipe at the ball when they attempt a cross over or other move. It results in a good amount of turnovers without having to stay with the opponent the entire possession. It also creates a lot of fast breaks as a result. That's why the Warriors always play so fast.

Klay is also very good at blocking shots from behind when the player goes by. Then, there are times he'll just grab the ball and take it away from the opponent. These are the kind of things that active hands and BBIQ provide. It's also stuff that Luka and Kai can pick up working with Klay.

That's why Kidd was still so good on D with Dallas. He couldn't really move anymore but he had incredibly active hands. I think the D next year overall will be better between this and the continuity of the group having more time together.

I like this take. But I worry it’s more about celeb status with the refs than it is about defensive skill. And I don’t think Klay or any Mav sans Luka will get celeb whistles (or non-whistles) here next year.