The Golden State Warriors, once a dynasty built on the splash brothers’ brilliance, find themselves at a crossroads. Klay Thompson, the Robin to Steph Curry’s Batman, is mired in a career-worst slump, raising questions about his future with the team.
Golden State’s “Splash Brothers” duo, once a symbol of offensive dominance, is facing a storm of doubt. Klay Thompson, the sharpshooting sidekick to Steph Curry, has been engulfed in a season riddled with struggles, his future with the Warriors hanging precariously in the balance.
On Tuesday night, Klay Thompson’s struggles reached a boiling point. He was benched down the stretch in a loss to the Phoenix Suns, and reports surfaced of his displeasure with the decision. Anthony Slater of The Athletic described Thompson yelling towards the bench and even hitting something in frustration. While he owned up to his poor play after the game, the incident highlighted the tension brewing within the Warriors.
Adding fuel to the fire is the ongoing contract situation. Before the season, the Warriors offered Thompson a two-year extension worth $48 million, but no deal has been reached. This raises questions about the team’s confidence in his long-term value.
The numbers paint a concerning picture. Klay Thompson’s averaging career lows in points, shooting percentages, and offensive rating. His defense, once a strength, has also dipped significantly. Cleaning the Glass reveals that while the Warriors score slightly more with Thompson on the court, their scoring differential is significantly higher without him.
The biggest concern seems to be Thompson’s defensive decline. He’s currently in the bottom 10% of the league in defensive points per possession differential. Without him, the Warriors give up fewer points, opponents shoot worse, and they even snag more offensive rebounds.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
Can Klay Thompson rebound?
- Averaging career-lows in points, shooting percentages, and efficiency.
- Warriors are 4.4 points better per 100 possessions with him on offense, but their defensive rating plummets by 3.9.
- His reputation as a defensive stalwart has vanished, ranking in the 9th percentile among NBA players in defensive points per possession differential.
- Opponents shoot better, turn the ball over less, and grab more offensive rebounds with him on the court.
The Benching and Contract Talks:
- Thompson was benched late in a recent loss, sparking frustration and a reported need for Steph Curry to calm him down.
- The Warriors offered him a two-year, $48 million extension before the season, but no deal has been reached.
Reasons for Concern:
- Thompson’s offensive decline coincides with a drop in defensive prowess, his historical strength.
- The Warriors perform better defensively without him, raising questions about his fit alongside Curry.
- His decline mirrors historical trends for players with similar struggles at his age and after major injuries.
Possible Solutions:
- Thompson rediscovers his shooting touch and improves defensively, proving his worth as a Robin to Curry.
- He embraces a different role, perhaps focusing more on facilitating and playing off Curry’s gravity.
- The Warriors explore other options, potentially trading or letting him go to rebuild their roster.
Letting go of a beloved champion like Klay Thompson is a difficult decision, but the Warriors’ future success hinges on building a sustainable contender. Thompson needs to prove he can be a valuable piece of that puzzle, or the team might have to move on, entering a new chapter without the splash brothers.- SkyNews
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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