When Jason Terry came through Dallas last week with the Utah Jazz, he had a word of caution for the Western Conference.
The message was that a skilled NBA player is really dangerous when that person is highly motivated.
Consider Klay Thompson dangerous.
As Terry, who knows a thing or two about the NBA from his days as a championship winner in Dallas and an assistant coach with the Jazz, said: Thompson has motivation.
It’s not just the desire to show that he can win big outside of Golden State – although that certainly is a major theme in his career plotline.
Thompson confirmed that there’s more to it than that.
“I still want to get rid of that notion that I’m not the same defender I once was,” Thompson said after he took the defensive challenge in the preseason game against Utah’s Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George and others. “I truly believe I am. I’m excited to prove people wrong, that I can still guard the elite players in this league.
“I thought it was a good step in the right direction for me in challenging the ball-handler and switching onto whoever.”
Thompson was an elite defender in his earlier days. But it’s fair to question that ability after a couple of major leg injuries, plus the simple fact that Father Time is working against him.
But don’t ever underestimate the pride factor.
“It’s a beautiful thing to have been in the league 14 years and have something to prove,” coach Jason Kidd said of Thompson. “He’s going to guard everybody. Right now, they (the defensive schemes) are very simple. There’s no trickery. We’re just trying to keep everybody in front. He’s a two-way player. He can defend. He takes pride in being able to play both ends.”
And it’s a job that should come easier for Thompson this season. He feels healthy. And he’s got a little help around him on the other end of the court with Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
“It’s really nice when you have such great offensive players like Luka and Kai and you don’t feel like you have to shoulder the load as much on that side of the ball and I can kind of get back to guarding like I have in the past,” Thompson said.
That, plus the idea of winning a title without being part of the Splash Brothers, is what makes Thompson a driven shooting savant this season.
He’s also happy to be playing with his new teammates. Although his time with Luka has been limited because the superstar point guard is taking it slow coming back from a calf injury, Thompson knows plenty of playing with Irving, which they will again Monday night in Los Angeles Against the Clippers.
“Absolutely,” Thompson said. “The times we have played together, we had great success with the USA (international) team, so I really look forward to building that chemistry with him again. And when Luka comes back it’s going to be even better. It’s going to be great.”
And the union of Thompson with Dončić and Irving has him excited about everything going into this season, which gets going for real on Oct. 24 after exhibition games Monday and Thursday.
“That’s a big reason why I came here, those two guys,” Thompson said. “(I have) big dreams and aspirations with this team. They were so close last year (reaching the NBA Finals) and I really feel we have everything we need.
“I’m more motivated than ever.”
But another reason why Thompson was believed to be a perfect fit for this team – other than his next-level shooting – is because he’s been there before.
He won four championships with the Warriors and Steph Curry, among others. He knows how it’s done, as does Irving, who won a title in Cleveland with LeBron James.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of championship teams,” Thompson said. “And I realize probably more than anyone that it takes everybody to buy in and it’s not on one individual.
“It’s not on Luka. It’s not on Kai, although we can’t do it without them. They’re our best players. But the teams that have won championships in the past have great depth and incredible players who have different skill sets.”
Thompson then pegged a local example.
“Look at that 2011 Mavericks’ team,” he said. “They had a superstar in Dirk (Nowitzki) and every other player, so many of them were all-star level or all-stars. I see similar traits with this team. It’s exciting.”
And it’s worth noting that Jet Terry was part of that team and he’s bullish on a motivated Thompson.
X: @ESefko
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