Klay Thompson has made his name as an All-Defensive-caliber player despite not having made any of the All-Defensive teams throughout his first seven seasons in the NBA. LA Clippers guard Lou Williams has no issues recognizing Thompson's chops on the defensive end, noting the Golden State Warriors sniper doesn't get his due credit given his elite-caliber shooting ability:

“He doesn’t get enough credit for what he brings to the table defensively, because he’s such an elite shooter,” said Williams, according to Scott Cacciola of The New York Times. “But he’s a tough guard, man.”

Thompson is a tall 6-foot-7 shooting guard in today's small-ball lineups. He is long and his footwork has vastly improved since his early years in the league, now known as a stalwart on defense despite his lack of NBA awards on that end:

“Everyone in the N.B.A. knows he’s going to guard,” said Williams’ teammate Landry Shamet, a guard who was defended by Thompson for stretches of their first-round series. “Good feet. Good positioning. He’s longer than you expect, quicker than you expect — stronger, bigger. He has all the tools.”

Thompson didn't start to incorporate his defense until later in his second season, soon taking on a smaller, faster Tony Parker in the playoffs, which eventually sparked his interest to improve at that unsung end of the floor:

“I always thought I had fast feet,” said Thompson.

Assistant coach Ron Adams, known as the Warriors' defensive coordinator, agrees:

“He’s one those guys who’s really engaged when he’s on the ball,” Adams said. “He loves the challenge of stopping someone.”

Thompson is hardly known as a 3-and-D archetype given his elite ability to shoot the 3, with the term more often going to players “able” to do both and not excelling like Thompson has done over the last few years of his career.

Yet if he garners a defensive honor this season, it would be the credit to substantiate the years of work and persistence working at his craft.