Basketball requires a lot of variables and irregularities, so having players who can perform well under pressure is essential. One such master of mayhem is Klay Thompson, a four-time NBA Champion and generally regarded as one of the best shooters in NBA history. He is a tremendous asset on the court because of his capacity to flourish in erratic circumstances and take advantage of defensive errors.
Whenever Thompson is around, defenders need to be on the lookout for him, whether it’s during a fast break, an offensive rebound, or a broken play. He is a constant menace who is prepared to take advantage of any defensive blunder due to his unrelenting mobility and superb sense of space. The Dallas Mavericks’ offensive arsenal becomes a valuable asset in Klay Thompson when he teams up with elite players like Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić. During their NBA Finals appearance in 2024, the Mavericks’ weaknesses on offense were revealed. Against a well-prepared Boston Celtics defense, the club found it difficult to force defensive rotations and create easy transition opportunities, even if Luka and Kyrie are two of the best creators in the NBA.
The pick-and-roll strategy and lateral movement of Dallas were well negated by the Celtics, forcing Luka and Kyrie into challenging situations including a lot of isolation. The Mavericks had few trustworthy options because Kyrie was psychologically unstable and injuries limited Luka’s efficiency. The addition of Klay Thompson to Dallas immediately solves these offensive deficiencies. Klay is a top-tier floor spacer in the NBA who can do more than simply make three-pointers—he can make the kind of three-pointers that the Mavericks sorely need. EverybodyStar Defender Klay Thompson at Chase Center prior to a game. Yamashita, Darren; USA TODAY Sports Yamashita, Darren; USA TODAY Sports Stretching the floor makes him an excellent pick-and-pop threat from the wing, making him a unique asset that punishes defensive blunders, excels in lateral movements, and causes havoc in transition.
Thompson’s skill set extends beyond simple catch and shoot; his relentless movement compels opponents to always take him into consideration, opening up the floor and producing opportunities for his teammates. Role players’ missed shots contributed to the Mavericks’ troubles in the Finals, but so did the type of shots they missed. By positioning athletic forwards like Jayson Tatum on Dallas’ centers and more conventional centers like Kristaps PorziŇģis or Al Horford on the wings, the Celtics employed a clever defensive alignment. Because of this configuration, any guard-to-big pick-and-roll could be switched out smoothly, guaranteeing that a rim protector was always painted. Guard-to-guard and guard-to-wing pick-and-rolls resulted in double teams, which forced Dallas’ wings to take uncomfortable 3-pointers over the hoop.
The offense stagnated without reliable shooting from these areas, which put a lot of the scoring pressure on Luka and Kyrie. Thompson’s skills might significantly alter the Mavericks’ dynamic. Thompson is still a deadly offensive threat even with ailments that have compromised his lateral agility and ability to create shots off the dribble. With him being used more as a screener last season, the Golden State Warriors adjusted and led the league with 37.7 ball screens per 100 possessions. This change let Thompson play to his strengths and lessened the physical strain on him by letting him use his renowned shooting skill without having to compete with players for space off the ball.
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