Like all fans and the media, we love to see potential fulfillment and Raiders story themes, such as the emergence of a dark horse team without a star player, or an underrated team playing unexpected results. However, in addition to this story line, another fascinating story is the comeback.
The best comeback story of the 2021-22 season is Klay Thompson, who finally returned to the game following two seasons. It was 941 days before he last played in the NBA. Thompson finally put on his jersey once more in January 2022. This article will explain the struggle between Thompson and the current Warriors, and how he can help the team build a more sophisticated offense.
Usually a player returns from a major injury, even a star level will need at least one to get used to the game, and Thompson has been back for 3 months, and the game was relatively struggling when he came back, and he is currently on his way to the playoffs. , perhaps a good time to review the Warriors and Thompson’s situation.
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In the past month, Thompson has obviously been getting better and better, and gradually found a rhythm. In the last three games of the regular season, he scored 41, 33 and 36 points respectively, and also made 21 of 41 three-pointers. Over the past eight games, Thompson has averaged 28 points while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3-point range (12 attempts per game).
The recovery of Thompson’s touch is great news for the Warriors. In the first round of the playoffs, the gold nugget led by last year’s most valuable favorite Nikola Jokić, Stephen Curry’s condition will naturally determine the game. However, even if Curry managed to catch up, he and Draymond Green and Thompson only played 3 games together in the regular season. If they want to regain the power of the combination during the consecutive hegemony period, perimeter firepower is naturally the key for the Warriors to go deeper in the playoffs. .
Thompson’s return solves one of the challenges the Warriors have faced in the past two seasons. Shooting guards often hold the ball for too long. This was not a problem at all before Thompson was injured. His non-stick characteristics allow the ball to flow on the court. Smoother and more efficient.
According to the NBA’s official advanced data, Thompson had 2.38 seconds of possession, 1.58 dribbles, and 28.9 touches per game before the last three games. Among them, possession time and dribbles were both new highs for Thompson in the 2014-15 season, when Steve Kerr had just taken over as head coach and built the Warriors into a pass-first style of play.
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Thompson’s holding time in the past three games has been revised down to 1.97 seconds and 1.23 dribbles. Although this may not seem like much, the ratios have dropped by 17% and 22% respectively. The most important thing is to let the Warriors gradually recover. In the past rhythm, with the ball flowing more smoothly, it was less likely for opponents to double-team Thompson or other ball carriers. This kind of simple attacking characteristic is also in line with Thompson’s rhythm, and it is also his strongest state. Maybe he has not played in two years, and he is still the most powerful shooter in the league.
Many of Thompson’s previous struggles have come from wanting to express himself too much, dribbling the ball or pushing himself into a rhythm he’s not good at. Of course, it’s not hard to understand how eager Thompson, back from injury, is to prove his performance on the court once more, so he wants to perform well every time he touches the ball.
“The last time he was on the court, Kevin Durant was on the court and Draymond was very healthy,” Steve Kerr said in an interview in February, and now without the ball handlers and top singles players, Thompson naturally Will want to take more responsibility on the field.
However, Thompson also found that the best rhythm and attack pattern for him is the quick pick and quick shot in the past, and the Warriors now have Jordan Poole as an offensive engine, which can also free up Thompson’s attack space. “I’m just turning it on now, and it’s going to get faster and faster,” Thompson said in an interview over the weekend.
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