NBA Season Preview: 5 best perimeter defenders

3 of 5

Oct 6, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) jogs onto the court prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at the SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors SG

Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is known for his dead-eye shooting. It’s a justified reputation since Thompson is one of the best pure-shooters in NBA history. He’s also an incredibly underrated perimeter player defensively. His numbers aren’t really eye-popping. However, Thompson is the panacea for Golden State in backcourt defense.

Essentially, he is required to guard the best ball handler Golden State goes up against each night. Stephen Curry doesn’t have the physicality, the wingspan, or really the discipline to be anything more than a solid help defender. Thompson’s poise defensively allows Curry to be at his best defensively as a pick pocket.

Golden State has other elite defensive players like forwards Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala, but Thompson’s defensive acumen is one of the most underrated in basketball. Thompson might actually have his best season defensively for one reason: Kevin Durant is now on the Warriors. Durant has undeniable length and could aid in rim protection if he feels so inclined. We’ve never seen Durant put it all together defensively, but if he does, expect Thompson to make a quantum leap on that end of the floor as well.

Home/Boston Celtics