Since returning from two severe injuries, Klay Thompson has faced questions over his ability to compete at the highest level. First, the Golden State Warriors star faced questions over his shooting ability and if he could still be a dead-eye on the perimeter.
Then, those questions focused on the defensive end of the court and whether Thompson could still produce at a high level. Last season, Thompson put the narrative surrounding his shooting ability to bed, as he converted 41.2% of his 3-point attempts. Now, the veteran guard will need to prove he can still defend at an above-average level.
Buy Warriors TicketsWhen speaking on a recent episode of NBA Radio, Antonio Daniels pinpointed Thompson as being key to the Warriors’ chances of winning another championship. Noting how the 33-year-old needs to prove he’s still the player he once was.
“I tell you what as good as Steph is, if Klay Thompson isn’t Klay Thompson, they ain’t winning,” Daniels said. “Plain and simple. Any way you look at it, it’s going to be very, very difficult for them to win another NBA championship without Klay Thompson being that Klay Thompson that we’re accustomed to seeing…I’m not saying it can’t happen. I’m just saying that their championship window is closing. And my view of the Golden State Warriors today is different than what it was a year or two ago.”
Thompson recently told a crowd in China that he would be returning next year with a fifth championship to his name. The Warriors have improved their roster this summer with the additions of Dario Saric, Cory Joseph, and Chris Paul.
How much more time do the Golden State Warriors have to win with their current core?
Antonio Daniels tells Rick Kamla time is dwindling pic.twitter.com/cZ504LDQFS
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 17, 2023
Golden State needs Thompson to produce at a high level. However, they don’t necessarily need him to be the pre-injury version of himself. The Warriors have improved depth and multiple stars on their roster. Thompson will surely have a big role to play, but that doesn’t mean he will be the deciding factor in any potential Warriors championship run.
