Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Golden State Warriors emerged as one of the NBA‘s most exciting teams during the regular season and playoffs this year behind the electric play of Stephen Curry, among others. While Curry may be the main attraction, shooting guard Klay Thompson has the talent and potential to be a star as well in his own right.
Thompson, the 6’7″ second year player who hails from Los Angeles, first made a name for himself by tearing up the Pac-12 conference for three seasons on his way to becoming the 11th overall pick in the 2011 draft. The sweet-shooting son of former NBA star Mychal Thompson made an immediate impression on the Warriors last season when he took over the majority of the perimeter scoring during his rookie year while Curry nursed his now surgically repaired ankles, with Thompson averaging 12.5 points and shooting an impressive .414 from three-point range while playing in all 66 games.
This season, Thompson picked up right where he left off and combined with Curry to give the Warriors what head coach Mark Jackson calls “the best shooting back court ever”, which may not be far from the truth. Thompson averaged 16.6 points alongside Curry while continuing to shoot the ball well from long range, knocking down 211 of his 526 attempts for a .401 percentage from deep.
Thompson’s star potential was no more evident in game two of the Warriors second round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. Thompson lit up San Antonio for 34 points and 14 rebounds on 8-9 from three, including a scorching 29 points in the first half.
Curry may get the majority of the headlines, and rightfully so. But Thompson — who’s statistical output over his first two seasons is eerily similar to those of former New York Knicks sharp shooter Allan Houston — has a ton of star potential of his own, which is that much sweeter for the Warriors.
