5 reasons Warriors win 2017 NBA title with Kevin Durant
By Tom West
5. Klay Thompson will have more space
The deadliest part about the Warriors is that they have so many shooters and you can’t keep track of everyone all the time. Outside of Stephen Curry, it’s Klay Thompson that headlines the three-point barrage, with his exceptional catch-and-shoot ability being a trademark of his game.
Last season, Thompson was better than ever.
With career-highs of 22.1 points per game, 47 percent shooting, and 3.5 made threes per game (at a 42.5 percent rate), he can make shots from anywhere. It’s easy to forget sometimes just how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands when Curry steals the show and creates tougher shots off the dribble with that silky handle, but the Warriors wouldn’t be the same at all without Thompson — at both ends of the floor.
Whether he’s trailing in transition, cutting inside, or finding space around the perimeter as defenders get lost trying to keep an eye on Curry, Thompson operates incredibly well off the ball. His catch-and-shoot ability, either spotting up in space or turning his body after coming off a screen, is a thing of beauty when he catches fire, and more space just opened up with defenders having the thought of stopping Kevin Durant.
Even though his scoring output will decrease with Durant by his side, Thompson can enjoy more space to spot up in as the third option.
How ridiculous is it that Klay Thompson, possibly the NBA’s second best marksman, is now the third scoring option on his team?
Next: 4. The new 'Super Death' lineup