Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson ready to break out

There is a saying that a brother is born for times of adversity. On the basketball court, though not biological, the Golden State Warriors Splash Brothers are the best backcourt in the NBA.

The Splash Brothers — Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson — have gone through many trials together during their time in the Bay area. Some of their tribulations were finishing as one of the worst teams in the NBA, going through many playoff struggles together and seeing their former coach get fired.

Jan 2, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (right) greets teammate Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (left) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

These tests though, seem to have affected the younger Splash Brother Klay Thompson in a grand way.

Next season, Thompson is going to have a breakout year and become a go to scorer for the Warriors, as he’ll be utilized like never before.

You can start to see glimpses of it watching the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Thompson is impressing more people than Pratyush Buddiga spelling prospicience in the 2002 spelling bee.

In the opening round rout of Finland, Thompson led the Americans in scoring with 18 points while shooting 7-for-10 from the field.

Currently thriving in his role coming off of the bench, Thompson is the third leading scorer on the USA team. One of the reasons why he is thriving so much in this competition is because of the way that head coach Mike Krzyzewski is using him.

Instead of having Thompson stand around more often and be a spot up shooter, Krzyzewski is allowing Thompson to work his way around screens, catch it and fire away.

Because of the speed the Americans want to play at, they want quality shots, but also ones that are quick. The faster this team can play the easier it is to win games. The routine has become Thompson running to the basketball on an inbound, catching and firing away. Not only does he drain the shot, he looks fluid doing it.

Thompson is starting to assert himself among great players in the world and that is an encouraging sign for the Warriors.

Dec 25, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Want to know why a 47 percent shooter from the three-point-line, Kyle Korver didn’t make the USA National Team?

Thank Thompson. Coach Krzyzewski knew he would get more out of Thompson than Korver.

As much as I love watching Korver play, the one aspect that Thompson has over him is that he’s a better scorer. For their careers, Korver is a 42 percent shooter from distance, while Thompson is at 41 percent. That is only a difference in one percentage point and Thompson is giving you at least six more points a game.

This summer is proving to have a great impact on Thompson’s game and his confidence. Playing among the talent on this USA roster, he is holding his own. Better yet, he is showing that he is elite.

After Kobe Bryant and James Harden, what other shooting guards in the Western Conference can say they are better than Klay Thompson?

Think about it.

Every year in the NBA, Thompson has increased his scoring average. Last season he averaged 18.4 points a game and shot 41 percent from the three-point line. If Thompson can manage to average around 22 points, five rebounds and three assists a game he will play in next year’s NBA All-Star Game.

Those numbers are not a stretch, especially given the style of uptempo basketball Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants to play.

Some saw it as crazy that the Golden State Warriors were not interested in trading Thompson away for Kevin Love, and now we are seeing why.

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