Splash Brother to Hall of Famer: Klay Thompson's Unstoppable NBA Journ (2024)

By Oliver Wiener July 29, 2024 10:11

Photo by Tony Gutierrez/The Associated Press

Klay Thompson wasselected11th overall by the Golden State Warriors in the 2011 NBA Draft. Teaming up with fellow marksman Stephen Curry, the two soon became known as the "Splash Brothers," a suffocating backcourt tandem that would change how basketball was played.

Thompson evolved into a three-point marksman and excellent defender in his early years with the Warriors. The two guards could pull up and hit three-pointers anywhere on the court, combining to create an offensive juggernaut that nobody else in NBA history has matched. They combined for 484 three-point makes in the same season, which was an NBA record then; they broke it two more times over the next two seasons.

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What it Takes to Become an Elite Two-Way Player

Thompson later developed into one of the NBA's best two-way players, defending opposing guards while providing a scoring threat on offense. He had very favorable shooting mechanics and a quick, high release, which made him deadly on the perimeter, and his great height for an SG at 6'8 with those long arms enabled him to defend most PFs in addition to other wings.

The year of Thompson's ascendence was 2014-15 when he made his first All-Star appearance. He also played a key part in helping the Warriors secure their first NBA title for 40 years, averaging 16 points per game and giving LeBron James such a headache with his defense when he was trying to lead the Cavs.

Thompson and The Warriors Dynasty

Over the next years, Thompson and the Warriors would become a powerhouse in the league,appearing in the Finalsmultiple times and winningfour titles. His steady scoring, three-point shooting, and lockdown defense contributed greatly to the team's long-term success.

He and Curry combined for 678 three-pointers in the regular season during the 2015-16 campaign, a milestone that remains an NBA record and probably will be one of those unbreakable records. During this span, Thompson's accolades were just as sterling because he was a two-time All-NBA Third Teamer and made the NBA All-Defensive Second team for 2019.

Overcoming Adversity

The path from there to superstardom could have been smoother as Thompson battled injuries, including crushing blows in the NBA Finals that threatened his career. He tore his left ACL during the 2019 NBA Finals and missed all of last season. After being close to returning from that, Thompson ruptured his Achilles tendon and was forced out for all of 2020-21, too.

This seemed like an eternity to Thompson, but his relentless drive and work ethic never faded throughout it all. He did physical therapy and went through a long rehab process, working his way back to one hundred percent physically and getting the pop in his jump shot. Thompson would finally return to the court in 2022-23, rightfully proving himself again as one of the league's best two-way players.

Solidifying a Legacy as A Hall of Famer

In his years as a professional, Klay Thompson has put together an impressive resume of accomplishments and accolades that further stamp him as one of the best players of his time. He is also a five-time NBA All-Star, two-time third-team all-NBA selection, and has made the second team in defensive selections. He also holds countless personal records, including the most three-pointers shot in one playoff round and the highest score of points made by a player in just one quarter.

Walking deeper into the back nine of his career, Thompson has also led to more chatter regarding a potential Hall of Fame rebuttal. A sharpshooter, lockdown defender, and championship winner, his body of work is stronger than several players already immortalized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Thompson's Legacy and the Future

As for what comes next, history says that the future remains for Klay Thompsons to write, and with his career resurgence over the past few seasons after such a traumatic injury, it's hard not to believe his poised again as one of the best two-way players in our league. Given his tireless work ethic, unique level of shooting talent, and championship background, there is an opportunity for Thompson to effectively hone the game as he has in order to make an even more indelible mark on it moving forward.

In the end, Klay Thompson has been an improbable gift from Los Angeles to Oregon that turned into one of the most successful runs ever. Starting from becoming an equal partner of the "splash brothers" to being one of the best two-way players in the game and a consistent All-Star, Thompson has solidified his name as one of the NBA's all-time greats. The final chapters of his illustrious career are still being written today; it's safe to say Klay Thompson is going to be a Hall of Famer and one of the most impactful players during this era.

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