Klay Thompson is an enigma wrapped in a riddle. He is at once arguably the NBA’s most simple character to figure out, someone that loves the beach, his dog, and playing basketball, and the All-Star that we seem to have the least knowledge about.
Thompson moves to the beat of his own drum, a rhythm all his own. It’s one the Warriors have to figure out how to get him into during this second round series with the Rockets, as he has yet to assert himself as a factor in the now tied series as it shifts back to Oakland for Game 5.
So far this series, Thompson is shooting 30.8% from three-point range and 38.7% from the field overall, struggling to have the kind of impact on the game he’s accustomed to offensively. This isn’t the first time this season Thompson’s gone through a shooting lull, but it’s coming at the most inopportune of times. Ask Thompson and he’ll say he just needs to keep shooting and he’ll find his way, but Golden State may not have the luxury of time needed for Klay to find his rhythm.
The Athletic’s Ethan Strauss dove into that conundrum for the Warriors on Tuesday, but led the (very good) piece with an anecdote that encapsulates the uniqueness of Thompson better than anything else. Apparently, Thompson and the Warriors went to a screening of the latest Avengers movie, only for Klay to ultimately get bored with the three hour spectacle two hours in and walk out.
Thompson conserves his energy for what he loves, and he’s always been impatient with any less than favored activity. There was amusement in Warriors land when, with an hour left in the film, Klay just got up and left a screening of “Avengers: Endgame.” The plot didn’t interest him, not enough to demand that much time and attention.
It’s truly a spectacular Klay story, and Strauss goes on to note the Warriors have to find ways to better engage Thompson on the court, because as evidenced by his movie walk out, Klay isn’t one to sit around if there’s not much for him to do. This is a concern the Warriors have to have moving forward into a key summer as Thompson hits free agency, and as Stephen A. Smith notes, there may be some smoothing over needed to get Thompson fully back on board with the Warriors after he’s found himself not thrilled with his role, per sources.
I'm told Klay Thompson isn't happy and here's why. pic.twitter.com/l9lELKbKCo
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 7, 2019
Thompson has long insisted he wants to stay with the Warriors, but rumblings have grown that he may not be so solid on that desire anymore. This, of course, could be posturing to ensure Golden State comes with a max deal rather than seeking out a hometown discount from the second Splash Brother, but it is something to monitor going forward.
If Thompson were to leave the Bay for, say, the Clippers as some have posited could happen, don’t expect him to be as active in Hollywood as some other stars in L.A., because he apparently has a more discerning taste in film.
