Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd recently gave his honest take on the new Mavericks shooting guard, Klay Thompson, in a press conference after the Mavericks’ practice ahead of the road game against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Kidd, 51, commented on the sharpshooting abilities of Thompson, 34, to the reporters before he and his team traveled to the Bay Area.
For over a decade, Thompson played a pivotal role in the Warriors’ dynasty as a “Splash Brother” alongside star Point Guard Stephen Curry. Thompson and Curry, 36, lived up to the hype as the duo on multiple occasions, such as the “Splash Brothers” combined 74-point game against the Houston Rockets on November 20, 2022. Thompson and Curry also hit 17-for-27 from the distance as a star-studded duo.
Thompson’s final few years in the Bay Area were plagued by injuries, a torn ACL, and a ruptured Achilles tendon, which increased his overall inconsistency and potentially tarnished his legacy. Thompson’s injuries continue to sideline him in Dallas. Maybe not as frequent as before, but injuries are still injuries and Thompson’s injuries have drawn mixed emotions from fans and reporters alike. However, Thompson has some positive qualities, which Kidd has recently touched on. Read on for Kidd’s recent words.
Jason Kidd’s Take On Klay Thompson
Dallas Mavericks Head Coach Jason Kidd shared his thoughts about Mavericks Shooting Guard Klay Thompson in Friday’s press conference before the team traveled to the Bay Area. Kidd spoke fondly of Thompson, saying, “His fit is perfect for what we need.” Kidd added, “He’s been great.” He appeared to have positive thoughts about him while showing satisfaction about his arrival to Dallas from San Francisco and his ability to meet the public’s high expectations.
Kidd didn’t stop with praise for Thompson’s on-court contributions. Kidd also praised Thompson’s overall professionalism and daily work ethic, two qualities every NBA player should have to succeed in their own right while promoting team unity. Kidd told the reporters, “Klay [Thompson] is a true pro; he comes to work ready to play … We’ve been lucky to have him, and again, I think his fit is perfect for what we need.”
Thompson’s Performance In Dallas
So far this season, Klay Thompson has averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while shooting 39.5% from the field and 37.4% from the three-point line. Thompson’s current averages aren’t too shabby for a veteran sharpshooter in the NBA, but have seen a slight dip compared to his career averages of 19.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, while shooting 45.2% from the field and 41.2% from three.
Thompson is no longer a “Splash Brother,” but perhaps a third man to the Dallas Mavericks’ star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. He has appeared in 21 of the team’s 25 games at the time of writing, an arguably solid showing for an injury-prone NBA player.
He had to adapt his game to complement the play of Doncic, 25, and Irving, 32, along with the Mavericks’ system. He ranks as the team’s third-leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points per game, a significant drop from his prime years with the Golden State Warriors. His shooting efficiency, a career-low 39.5% from the field and 37.4% from the three-point line has been a concern.
Dallas Mavericks’ Needs From Klay Thompson
The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2024-25 NBA season with aspirations of replicating their success from the previous season in which they advanced to the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Despite the Mavericks’ issues, injuries, and inconsistencies to start the season, the team remains in playoff contention, ranking in fourth place in the NBA’s Western Conference standings and carrying a 16-9 record at the time of writing.
The Mavericks’ needs from Klay Thompson include but aren’t limited to the team needing him to increase his overall performance that’s closer to the vintage level sustained in much of his Golden State Warriors career. If Thompson can find a more solid rhythm and boost his efficiency, the Mavericks can become a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference and one of the NBA teams to beat this season.
In other Mavericks news, the sport of basketball is a family affair for Mavericks Forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper and his family. Olivier-Maxence’s father, Gaetan Prosper, and mother, Guylaine Prosper, both played college basketball at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. His sister, Cassandre Prosper, plays for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team in South Bend, Indiana, and is a member of the Canada women’s basketball team. Cassandre’s listed height is six foot three, so her height and skill set signal a potential landing in the WNBA someday.
