Klay Thompson is set to return to the Golden State Warriors in 2021-22, and his former teammate and now Phoenix Suns center JaVale McGee thinks the rest of the NBA should be worried. After all, for McGee, the “old” Klay will definitely make his appearance.
McGee's reasoning is simple: Thompson sustained a torn ACL in 2019 and a ruptured Achilles tendon in 2020, both of which have nothing to do with his hands. With that said, the Warriors sharpshooter should be able to get back to his offensive form before his injury.
Defense is another matter, though, as McGee expects Thompson to struggle on that end when he returns.
“I expect the old Klay [Thompson] to tell the truth,” McGee told Shannon Sharpe on the “Club Shay Shay” show, per Essentially Sports. “The only thing I see will maybe be slacking in that first month of the season is defense, just because you know how aggressive Klay is and how good he is on defense. I don’t think you’re gonna get those reps in the offseason or practice on the defensive end. So I think that first month he’s gonna struggle a little bit on defense, but offensively he didn’t hurt his arm.
“Ain’t nothing wrong with his arm, so that boy’s gonna shoot.”
JaVale McGee certainly makes a great point. Based on the recent videos of Klay Thompson shooting, it certainly looks like the Warriors star hasn't lost his magical touch.
Klay's putting in work 🤩
[via @klaythompson] pic.twitter.com/P3kdPlzkK9
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) August 24, 2021
Of course Thompson might struggle on both ends of the floor from time to time, especially since game action is different compared to practices and scrimmages. However, that doesn't mean his defenders can leave him open. He is still one of the best shooters in the NBA, and if given the chance, he'll make it more often than not.
For what it's worth, Warriors fans might have to wait longer for Thompson's return, as he is expected to miss the start of the 2021-22 season.
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