NBA Playoffs: 5 things we learned from the Warriors sweep of the Jazz

NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from the Warriors sweep of the Jazz

May 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrate after Durant scores against the Utah Jazz during the third quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets around Utah Jazz center Boris Diaw (33) and goes to the basket during the second quarter in game three of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Warriors need to find splashy Klay Thompson

The Warriors have been firing on cylinders this postseason. Offensively, the ball is moving and Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry look MVP-esque. Draymond Green has been a monster on both ends of the floor, letting his impact be known. The bench play has been stellar, led by Andre Iguodala, JaVale McGee and Shaun Livingston. The one missing piece for the Warriors so far is splashy Klay Thompson.

Everyone knows exactly what Klay Thompson is capable of, in terms of shooting and hot streaks. Earlier this year against Indiana, the Warriors’ shooting guard dropped 60 points in three quarters of play. Thompson has the ability to be flaming hot from 3-point range, even more so than his partner-in-crime, Stephen Curry.

Last postseason, Thompson had his signature moment in the Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was Game 6, at Oklahoma City, and the Warriors were down 3-2 and were facing elimination. The Warriors were down for a majority of that game, but Thompson’s 11 3s and 41-point performance carried Golden State to a victory. That Klay Thompson hasn’t shown up yet in this postseason.

Although he’s been relegated to a tertiary role with the addition of Kevin Durant, Thompson was having a solid impact during the regular season. The splash brother averaged 22.3 points per game on 47 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent from long-distance. So far in the playoffs, his numbers have dipped to 16.1 points per game, on 40 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.

Thompson’s defense has been stellar, chasing Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in the first round and then Gordon Hayward in the second round. Klay’s offensive game hasn’t quite been up to the his mark and that’ll need to change for the Warriors to succeed in a potential Finals’ series.

The Warriors will need to actively try and get Thompson back on track in the Western Conference Finals, as he’s the only piece of their team that’s still holding them back from being unbeatable. Golden State should start by asking his dog, Rocco, how they can find Splashy Klay Thompson.

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