Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson hasn't played since the 2019 NBA Finals. Now on New Year's Eve, it's almost time for the All-Star guard to make his return. If things go as planned, Warriors fans will get to see Thompson lace them up in January. The exact date is unclear, but since Thompson is traveling and ramping up practice with the team, the time is soon.
We all know how great Thompson once was, but now the question is how he will fit with this team. Although familiar faces are around, most of his teammates have never played alongside the sharpshooter. Usually, when adding stars to a group, a plethora of changes are made to accommodate the new addition. That won't be the case with Thompson.
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Similar to his character Wet-Fire in LeBron James' Space Jam: A New Legacy, his shot is wet, and he can catch fire instantly. There is a shortlist of players who can shoot it as he does. That list of players includes Stephen Curry and basically nobody else. The fact he can drain 3s the way he does would make him a perfect fit on any team in the NBA. Thankfully, he's a member of the Warriors.
Thompson's ability to shoot and get his shots off allow him to play with anybody who can pass a basketball. You don't really need to call plays for him, and he rarely needs to isolate defenders to score. There aren't many players who can average 20 points a game with his style of play. That's one of the many perks of having Thompson on your team.
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The way Thompson gets going starts with running around screens. Then his misdirection without the ball creates another issue for the opposition. Being in excellent shape aids Thompson in getting around the court to find open shots. The need to force shots is rarely a result when he touches the ball. Either the Warriors star gets a decent look at the basket, or he's passing and moving.
Then there's one more thing that makes Thompson special, and it's another reason he will fit perfectly with this year's team. He doesn't need to dribble much to score 30, 40, or even 60 points. Dribbling is one of the biggest things that mess up a team's offensive chemistry. Adding a star who needs to dribble to get going can stagnate an offense.
The Dubs are at their best when the ball is moving. It's also the reason they lead the NBA in assists. Bringing back Thompson won't change the way the offense runs. He knows the system, so there won't be a learning curve. The only thing that you have to worry about is if Thompson is the same player as before.
Most say Klay Thompson looks like his old self, but we won't know until we see him in an actual game. So soon, the wait will be over, and No. 11 will get to show us what he can do as he returns to the Warriors. If Thompson doesn't have any issues physically, fitting in will be easy on both ends of the court, because don't forget that he's also an excellent defensive player who can lock down opposing stars.
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