Klay Thompson locked down by dog defender

Klay Thompson struggles against a future NBA Defensive Dog of the Year.

Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He’s a 41-percent career shooter from beyond the arc. He’s scored 37 points in a quarter, 60 points on 11 dribbles, and set the record for most 3-pointers made in a playoff game with 11.

Thompson gives the best defenders in the NBA fits every time he’s on the court.

Except this defender.

Thompson is able to shake the first defender out of bounds, but the second defender does a nice job getting in front of the ball and forcing Thompson into a dribbling situation. Without a Draymond Green screen to help free him, the Warriors All-Star is forced to launch a contested shot that finds the front of the rim.

A second video shows that Thompson ended up going one of two when defended by the dog, but that’s misleading.

Notice the second player on the court, also dribbling a ball. He dribbles just as Thompson picks up his own dribble and releases his shot. This serves as a minor distraction to the dog and would be the equivalent of Green being called for a moving screen.

Official ruling: Thompson’s second basket does not count.

Those of us who have seen Air Bud know that dogs are exceptional shooters, but these videos show that there is more to their game. In fact, it seems obvious that Thompson himself has modeled his style after Air Bud himself. An unselfish knockdown shooter who can also lock up the other team’s best player.

Fortunately for the two-time NBA champion, he won’t have to see Klay9 when it matters most. As of now, the CBA doesn’t allow dogs to be part of an NBA roster.

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However, teams may want to change that in the next negotiation if the Warriors continue to stay light years ahead.