Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is one of the best shooters to ever play the game of basketball. This much as been proven throughout his already illustrious career.
But something that constantly gets overlooked is how good of a defender he is, and what it takes not only be a focal point of an offense, but a defense as well. Thompson always has to guard the opposing team's best player. And in the Western Conference, doing that means no nights off for Thompson.
Recently in the past three NBA Finals, Thompson has had to guard both LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Now that Irving was traded to the Boston Celtics, however, there is no one hopper than Thompson.
“I'm happy I don't to check Kyrie anymore, though, that's for sure,” Klay Thompson told reporters on Tuesday. “He is tough.”
Thompson's remarks came in the context of a question that wanted him to compare great players and say which of them are or were the hardest to defend. He said, basically, they all are.
View his entire answer below.
Klay on toughest players for him to guard, Harden, LeBron, Westbrook etc, “I’m happy I don’t have to check Kyrie anymore that’s for sure.” pic.twitter.com/j6zBDyfuQ8
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 5, 2018
Irving is definitely someone the Cleveland Cavaliers miss in this series. He was the one player who truly took pressure off James to create offense and score. But Thompson, oftentimes, drew the assignment of guarding him as well as James.
Now Thompson doesn't really have to worry about either of them. Kevin Durant and Draymond Green each give James defensive looks the majority of the time, and Thompson only plays him on switches (which do happen a lot anyway).
But with less defensive responsibility this season, Thompson can focus on what he does best: being suave.
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