After close to three years without Klay Thompson, we’ve finally been able to see the man who brings so much joy and passion to the court back on it this year.
But this is not the old Thompson, at least not yet. No one would expect him to be his old self at this point, including him. He sat down with The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and revealed a few things about where he is now and how he got here.
Currently, Thompson said he’s at about 80 percent of where he was, and that it will take more time to re-gain his lateral quickness, which will be key against smaller, quicker guards.
As he recalled his rehab from his ACL tear against the Toronto Raptors, Thompson indicated that he may have made a mistake.
“I wasn’t at playing weight,” Thompson said. “I was really strong. I was doing a lot of lifting, strengthening my knee. But I just missed the game so much at that time and I was cleared to play 5-on-5. But I’m not sure if it was the right move.”
According to Slater, Thompson said he was about 226 or 227 pounds, which Thompson said is “too big,” given he’s usually between 216 and 220 pounds.
Slater said Thompson understands those extra pounds and consistent 5-on-5 play probably caused his Achilles to tear.
“It might’ve been costly,” Thompson said. “I don’t know. I try not to think about it too much. But it just, uh, it’s something I learned from. I’m not in my early 20s anymore, where I can just play all offseason. That’s what I was trying to do. Going forward, I’m not going to do that. I’m going to save it for the season.”
