Fans entering Chase Center this NBA season will notice a significant change: Klay Thompson, once a star for the Golden State Warriors, will now be playing for the Dallas Mavericks. As Thompson joins last season’s finalists, he brings crucial scoring ability to their championship pursuit. Reflecting on this shift, Draymond Green, Thompson’s former teammate, was recently asked how he would guard Klay when they will be facing each other on the court.
During a chat with Sloane from the Sloane Knows Podcast at Chase Center, Green was open about his approach: “I’m running through his chest. He’s my brother, but he’s not with us. He’s with the ops.”
This phrase refers to a moment from the 2008 Olympics when Kobe Bryant bumped into his Lakers teammate Pau Gasol while representing Team USA, setting aside their NBA loyalties.
Key Performances Of Draymond Green And Klay Thompson
Thompson had a strong previous season, playing in 77 games and averaging 29.7 minutes per game. He showed his scoring ability with an average of 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
His shooting was impressive, with a field goal percentage of 43.2%, a three-point percentage of 38.7%, and a free-throw percentage of 92.7%. On defense, he averaged 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Draymond Green also had a significant season, playing in 55 games and averaging 27.1 minutes per game. He contributed 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. His shooting was effective, with a field goal percentage of 49.7%, a three-point percentage of 39.5%, and a free-throw percentage of 73.0%. Defensively, he averaged 1.0 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Together, Green, Thompson, and Stephen Curry have been key to the Warriors’ success. Even though they are now on different teams, they all still want to win an NBA title. The Warriors will rely on Curry and Green for leadership as they adjust to a new roster.
For the Mavericks, building good team chemistry early in the season will be very important. Their game against the Warriors on November 12 will be just their 11th of the season, making it a crucial moment for Klay Thompson to fit in with his new teammates—especially against players who know him well.
