Klay Thompson's Defense

[audiosway]

We know the guy can shoot and that we are getting one of the best shooters to ever hit the court. He can still shoot lights out and will be able to do that when he's 50.

However, the big thing I keep hearing is that he can't defend anymore. So, let's discuss that. I watch a lot of GS basketball living in the bay area. Been watching them since the 2014 season. Honestly, the injuries didn't hurt him much since he was never athletic to begin with. They slowed him down a step laterally but really that's about it.

The way he plays defense isn't typical and the numbers don't show that he's ever been a great defender. Because for some basketball players numbers just don't tell the story. And the story they do tell isn't true.

Klay only made one All Defense team. Yet he always guarded the best perimeter player. And not only that but he consistently locked them up. He is 6'7" with a 6'9" wingspan. He has hips similar to a cornerback that swivel and move with the opponent. He has incredibly active hands and is way stronger than he looks. Luka has trouble backing him down. He also plays incredible well in a switching defense. Kerr ALWAYS had Curry switch out with Klay to hide. Klay can also guard Centers long enough for the help to come.

Even though he's never been quick he has an incredible high BBIQ to be able to recover and use his hips and length to guard small guards. Here is a video that does a very good job covering his strengths and weaknesses.



This video was made in Klay's prime right before the injuries. But, if you look at him after the injuries they eased him in the following year and he played 32 games. The following season he played and started 69 games averaging 33 mpg. (His numbers that year were pretty much identical if not better than the year before his injuries)

Last season he played in 77 games averaging 30 mpg. People talk about his year last year as if he's done. There was a lot going on internally with the team and he didn't want to be there. Even with that he didn't miss a free throw in all of April and finished shooting the lights out of the ball.

At 28 before injuries here are his numbers.
He was an all star, played 78 games averaging 34 mpg, 40.2% from 3 on 7.7 attempts a game, 81.6% FT, 3.8 Rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 Steals, .6 blocks, 21.5 points per game.

The year before last (I consider last season a wash since the team was in turmoil)
At 32 here are his numbers.
He played 69 games averaging 33 mpg, 41.2% from 3 on 10.6 attempts a game, 87.9% FT, 4.1 Rebounds, 2.4 assists, .7 Steals, .5 blocks, 21.9 points per game.

Combine that with what I would say is about 85% of his defense he played in his prime and you have just massively upgraded the Mavs starting 5.

The one who will need to watch out is PJ Washington. Naji will push him for minutes.