Golden State Warriors: 3 Bold Predictions for Klay Thompson

May 12, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson (11) controls the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In a very slow offseason, as of July, Warriors’ guard Klay Thompson has been involved in some of the summer sessions in Las Vegas, working out with some of the better youngsters in the NBA. His stroke is nice, and his defense is good, but what he’s really trying to work on is driving the basketball. Hopefully for the Warriors, he will be able to exhibit that skill at the start of the 2013-2014 season. If he can do that, inconsistency will no longer be an issue.

With that being said, what is Thompson capable of doing? Warriors fans and Mark Jackson obviously have high hopes for him this season, but will he deliver and please us? Or be a crucial trading chip by the time of the trade deadline?

1. He Makes the All-Star Team:

Obviously, the All-Star game is a complete joke in terms of competitiveness and defense. Stars just like to showcase their skills in events that basically are for the fans’ entertainment. Stephen Curry from the Warriors wasn’t an all-star, but he was an all-star. If that doesn’t make any sense, think of all the teams that Curry has torched. He surely deserves to be called an all-star.

How does this relate to Thompson? Well, being an All-Star is certainly ego-boosting and increases self confidence. If Thompson can average around 17-18 points per game, making his mark as one of the best shooters in the NBA, he deserves to be in the All-Star game. It doesn’t really matter if he makes it or not, but recognition is always good.

2. He’s 2nd in 3-point makes:

I say second because Curry, his partner in the backcourt, is incredible. He shakes and bakes, and knocks down the 28 foot shot with barely any breathing room. This offseason, he’s likely imagining what other teams are going to throw at him, and preparing for that. He’s going to lead the league in 3-point makes, and he’s going to break his own record. This leaves Thompson at second.

Thompson is a great shooter, and will pass Ryan Anderson next year, as he finished 3rd last year. He can set his feet and catch the ball anywhere and still make the shot. At times, he exhibits his vast range, as well as his quick release. He knows what he’s doing when it comes to shooting the basketball. He may not have had a stellar father like Dell Curry to teach him, but his shot is one of the sweetest looking in the NBA.

3. He Receives All-Defensive Team Consideration:

It’s no secret that Thompson worked on his defensive game over the 2012 offseason. At the 11th pick, Thompson was one of the best rookies in the league in the second half of the season, and was able to sneak onto the All-Rookie team. He was second in the running for Rookie of the Year. This was all because of his incredible ability to shoot the ball. Now, however, his game has grown, and he has become a known defender.

In the 2013 Playoffs, he effectively guarded players like Tony Parker and Ty Lawson, who are smaller and quicker than he is. In the regular season, he was forced to guard Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade, which he didn’t do too horribly at either. Now that he’s gaining more experience, he’s not going to fall for veteran tricks, being dooped into a foul.