Klay Thompson Doesn’t Mind Sharing Spotlight with Stephen Curry
With averages of 21.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 blocks, 1.2 steals, 45.8 percent shooting from the field, 44.1 percent shooting from three-point range, and 87.8 percent free throw shooting, Klay Thompson is having a breakout season. Statistically, Thompson is putting up All-Star numbers.
Thompson has also improved his game in many ways this season. Thompson has solidified himself as an elite perimeter defender, he’s become more aggressive in attacking the basket, he’s effectively coming off of screens and utilizing pick-and-rolls, and he’s passing and distributing the ball better than ever too.
Despite all these impressive statistics and improvements, Thompson’s game is somewhat overlooked.
Why? Because he plays alongside one of the best players in the NBA and MVP candidate, Stephen Curry.
In a recent interview with Ethan Sherwood Strauss of ESPN, Thompson was asked if it’s hard to share the spotlight with Curry, his backcourt mate and fellow Splash Brother. Here’s how Thompson answered:
"Nah. We’re 22-3, I don’t care. The spotlight will come."
This is Thompson’s fourth season in the NBA, but he shows an impressive level of maturity, as seen in this statement. He understands how Curry makes him better and make the Warriors a top team in the NBA, and he’s grateful that he’s a part of a young, successful core.
In the same interview, Thompson elaborated on this very topic when Strauss asked him if he would’ve liked being the main option if he had been traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Kevin Love deal.
"Was it tempting at all to be the man in Minnesota?You can be the guy, be the All-Star and miss the playoffs for six years.And then be blamed for it.Yeah, you know? So it’s like, “That was not tempting to me.” I know to win a championship, you’re not going to do it alone. You’re going to have to have a great supporting cast. For me, it’s not tough for me to share the spotlight with Steph. I know how good he is, and I benefit off playing with him so much that he makes me better and I think I make him better. So for me, it’s easy for me to let him do his thing. That’s why we’re here. I mean, we could probably be a … in my mind, we’d probably be a top-10 team without him. But with him, I feel like we’re the best team. That’s why he should be the MVP. That’s why he’s been so good for us."
Thompson is more likely happier about the Warriors’ NBA-best record than his career-best statistics. Thompson has been a large part of the Warriors’ success this season, but the Warriors are grateful that they have not only the best backcourt in the NBA but also two backcourt players who don’t mind sharing the spotlight.
The success of the team is more important than the success of the individual for this Warriors team, and that sums up why the Warriors are the best team in the NBA right now.
Next: Warriors Mailbag: David Lee, Andrew Bogut, Jermaine O'Neal