© Tom Szczerbowski | 2018 Nov 29
The numbers would suggest that Klay Thompson is going through a shooting slump through the first 39 games on the 2018-19 season. Thompson is posting his lowest field-goal percentage since 2012-13 (44.2 percent) and the worst 3-point percentage of his career (34.9 percent), while also attempting more shots than he ever has (18.7).
Thompson, 28, is also in a contact year and due to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time in his career. Longtime Warriors reporter Marcus Thompson believes that Klay’s upcoming free agency has affected his spotty play this season.
“I thought Klay was the dude who was unfazed by everything, so I’m a little surprised by it,” Thompson told Gary & Larry. “I don’t think there’s any question the contract year is playing a part, if for nothing else he’s trying to prove he deserves it. He’s going out there looking for 30 points. He’s going out there like taking dudes off the dribble and crossovers and fadeaways, it’s like ‘Klay I thought you were a spot up dude.’
“I think there’s a part of Klay that wants to show he can be the man and he’s taking shots like he’s the man. It’s weird to see Klay like this. It’s a little unique. And the he’s like ornery about it like, ‘who can question me about shooting? It’s like Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, maybe my coach Steve Kerr. The rest of you shut up, you don’t know anything about shooting.’”
Thompson is referring to comments Klay gave at shootaround last week, where he also denied being in a slump, pointing to the Warriors being in first place. The Warriors fell to third place in the West after Thursday’s OT loss to the Rockets.
Klay Thompson pressed on his slump: “I’m there for our team. I’m there every night.”
Asked what he wants different in his shot: “I don’t know. More makes.” pic.twitter.com/ab9QeMGDIH— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 27, 2018
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Thompson on Klay, start from 2:55.
