It is going to take a while to get used to Klay Thompson in any jersey apart from a Warriors one, however the four-time champion took step one in placing his Golden State days behind him when he made his preseason debut with the Dallas Mavericks Thursday night time.
It was a extremely anticipated second for the Mavericks and Thompson, who, after 11 years with the franchise that drafted him, signed with the Mavericks in free company this summer season. The 34-year-old guard has spoken about getting a contemporary begin with Dallas, and after sitting out the Mavs’ first preseason game, we obtained to see that journey start Thursday night time. Thompson completed the sport with 10 factors and three rebounds on 3 of 9 from the sector, together with 3 of 5 from deep in 18 minutes of motion. Within the first quarter, Thompson missed all three of his shot makes an attempt, and after the sport, he admitted that there have been some particular nerves occurring.
“I have not been that nervous, I do not assume, for the reason that 2015 Finals Sport 1,” Thompson said. “It felt so good simply to go on the market and play and work these jitters out. It was a brand new expertise, and it is a pure feeling while you’ve been someplace so lengthy and to be someplace new in a brand new surroundings. To lastly put the uniform on, it felt superb.”
The sharpshooter obtained going within the second half, together with his first bucket in a Mavericks uniform coming in typical Thompson trend. He used an off-ball display screen by Daniel Gafford to create some house on the perimeter for a pull-up 3-pointer off an help from Spencer Dinwiddie. It is a shot and play we have seen Thompson make tons of of instances over his Corridor of Fame profession, and it was simply the primary of what the Mavericks hope to be many throughout his time with Dallas.
The primary 3-pointer actually obtained a pleasant roll off the entrance of the rim, however Thompson’s final 3-pointer got here with the form of assure that the Warriors relied on after they received 4 championships. Thompson comes round a double display screen to get the ball on the high of the perimeter, and it did not take lengthy for him to fireplace it up from 3-point vary.
“For him tonight, there’s a whole lot of positives,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd stated after the sport. “He has some nice seems to be that all of us assume that he is able to making, however he simply by no means rushes. He by no means forces something. He most likely turned down some photographs that we’d encourage for him to take, however we belief that he is making the fitting choice.”
The spacing Thompson’s 3-point capturing supplies is strictly why the Mavericks signed him. He is a major improve from Tim Hardaway Jr., who stuffed an identical position for Dallas however was far too inconsistent to be relied upon. And whereas Thompson’s age — he’ll be 35 in February — and up to date downturn in effectivity are considerations, he nonetheless shot 38.7% from deep final season for almost 18 factors a recreation. That will’ve ranked second and third on the Mavericks final season.
His protection is one other plus that Dallas would like to have this season. Thompson is a former All-Defensive participant, and although his protection hasn’t been the identical for the reason that torn Achilles and torn ACL accidents, he once more is an improve to most Dallas gamers on the roster a season in the past. He additionally confirmed a few of what he can deliver on the defensive aspect of the ball in his preseason debut. Whereas he actually should not be anticipated to be the most effective defender on the ground for Dallas, he should not be somebody the Mavericks have to fret about getting torched on a nightly foundation.
We now have but to see Thompson play with each Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic within the preseason, as Doncic has been out with a bruised left calf, however Kidd stated we might see that trio of stars swimsuit up collectively within the preseason finale on Oct. 17 in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks.
