Golden State Warriors: Midseason Yearly Awards

Most Improved Player: Klay Thompson/Draymond Green

Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) forces a jump ball as New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) drives in between Thompson and forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 112-85. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have both been very special and key players to the Warriors’ success so far this season. Thompson, from game one, proved to not only the fans, but also to the front office, that he has a new and improved outlook on the game. Since playing with Team USA over this past summer, Thompson has shown outstanding growth on both ends of the court.

Thompson’s newfound confidence has made us all forget about any indication of a trade that would land Golden State with Kevin Love in exchange for Thompson. This season, Thompson is averaging about 23 points, three assists, three rebounds, and one steal per game. He has also posted career-best shooting percentages, with a .481 field goal percentage and a .458 three-point field-goal percentage.

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Thompson has also posted a career-high .577 shooting efficiency percentage to go with his career-high 1.357 scoring efficiency percentage. In the month of January alone, Thompson has averaged about 27 points a game, and has just been unbelievably good all around.

Green has also been posting career numbers since becoming a starter this season for Golden State. Green has been averaging about 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks a game. His field goal percentage has gone up by 38 points since last season, and his three-point field goal percentage has gone up by 10 points.

What has been a major improvement for both Green and Thompson has been their defensive abilities. Both players have been playing lockdown defense all year. They have also been adequate in defending the pick-and-roll when teams try to go in the lane.

Thompson and Green have been forcing their opponents to shoot a lot of jump shots and threes, which as been another key factor in the Warriors’ success. Forcing low-percentage shots is fundamental to winning a basketball game, and the Warriors have that capability with Thompson and Green.

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