Subscribe
Follow Us
The Golden State Warriors put together a pretty good offseason. It included two talented lottery picks and a ton of shooting from the free-agent market. The team also has Jordan Poole, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Kevon Looney returning from last season. Then you have James Wiseman, returning from a late-season injury, and the big fish Klay Thompson who missed the previous two seasons with an ACL tear and a torn Achilles.
Warriors fans hope to see Thompson back on the floor opening night, but that might not be the case. It might be an official update for his return sometime during training camp, but ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports that Thompson's return date might be Christmas day against the Phoenix Suns.
“He's doing well in his recovery, but the Warriors are targeting that Christmas Day game against the Suns for his return,” Shelburne said on The Jump. “He could come back a little bit before that, but in terms of getting his conditioning right, they're targeting that Christmas Day game against the Suns. I know that sounds a little late to people, but he was injured on Nov. 18, so this is 13 months from an Achilles injury.”
If Thompson is out till Christmas day, the Warriors will be without a lot. None of his teammates can match the value he brings to the team.
Article Continues Below
When it's all said and done, Thompson will be in the discussion for the second greatest shooter of all time. Right behind his teammate Stephen Curry who pretty much solidified himself as top dog. Being that Thompson is that great of a shooter means there isn't another player in the NBA, let alone on the Warriors squad who can replace the shooting of Thompson. The Warriors added a bunch of shooting, but it won't equal Thompson's skill set.
The team will also be without the Klay Thompson “It” factor. Whenever Thompson returns, Warriors fans will erupt whenever he scores a basket. He will be at games, but it's not the same as seeing him on the court. Once he starts playing, the Chase Center will feel a type of energy it's never felt before.
Another thing the Warriors will miss without Thompson is his toughness. He doesn't try to play the tough guy role, but everything about Thompson's game is hard-nosed. Especially on the defensive end, he's one of the best two-way players the game has to offer. It's what puts him in elite status among the NBA's best.
Those are three things the Warriors will be without till Thompson returns, but the thought of knowing he will be on the court soon will help the team stay motivated. It might be a little longer than fans hoped, but the return of who might be the NBA's most dangerous man is almost here. All that Golden State needs to do is stay afloat by the time he returns and hopefully, they're in a spot where the playoffs can be a surefire reality. When Klay is back on the court, the Warriors will be a whole different team. You simply can't replace this man.
