If you feel like Comeback Klay is driving the ball more than pre-2019 Klay Thompson, you’re not wrong. The numbers back it up.
Klay is known for his off-ball cutting and shooting – like the time he scored 43 points while taking just four dribbles. But in his five games back since returning from ACL and Achilles injuries, Thompson is showing unprecedented aggressiveness while handling the ball. The Warriors return to action Thursday night at 7 p.m. PT against the Indiana Pacers and you can hear the action on 95.7 The Game:
NBA fan and stats analyst @MarkC_NBA on Twitter crunched some numbers on Thompson’s dribble and the early returns indicate he is handling the ball more than ever, with 9.7 drives per game and 1.61 dribbles per touch (h/t @GSWReddit on Twitter for the find).
— Mark (@MarkC_NBA) January 19, 2022
After leading all scorers with 21 points Tuesday night, Thompson told reporters he has always possessed the ability to drive.
“I’ve had it in my bag,” Thompson said. “I’ve been able to put the ball on the floor since high school, it’s just my strength is obviously catching, shooting and cutting. Now that I’m getting older, trying to use my strength, trying to get to free-throw line a little bit more. That gets me in rhythm. I think I’ve been able to attack the rim. It’s just not my forte like it would be shooting. But it’s in my bag.”
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Warriors coach Steve Kerr also noted how Thompson has returned to a much different roster than the one which played in the 2019 NBA Finals. Namely: Kevin Durant used to be in the starting five.
“We had one of the ultimate shot creators next to Klay,” Kerr said. “Now there’s probably more of a need for shot creation with the current roster. I think being able to go to Klay and post him up or clear a side, it’s absolutely a good option. He’s so big and strong, he can create his own shot.”
When a reporter asked Thompson if he had been working on his handle over the two-year hiatus, Klay joked it was Kerr’s fault we didn’t see it earlier.
“Steve was just holding me back, man,” Thompson said. “He didn’t let me handle the ball.”
Thompson used to moonlight at point guard at Washington State but spent a lot of time handling the point Santa Margarita Catholic high school. He turns 32 on Feb. 8 and has been openly speaking about his legacy after being left off the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team. Consider this the next step in Klay’s career development.
“I just want to be complete as I possibly can,” Thompson said. “The best players to ever play my position could do it all, score at all three levels. I consider myself a scorer.”
Adding another dimension to the game is great. But Klay is still Klay.
“I don’t care if I miss 100 shots in a row,” Thompson said. “I’m never going to stop shooting the ball.”
