Many NBA fans baulked at Steve Kerr’s decision to move legendary shooter Klay Thompson to the bench, but the move has been his most genius all season.
It was clear the 11-year year veteran was a little put off after the demotion, as he hadn’t started a game from the bench since his rookie year.
But he has since embraced the move and Kerr couldn’t be happier with how Klay has taken it all in his stride.
“Klay’s been great,” Kerr said Tuesday on 95.7 The Game’s Willard and Dibs. “The best part for me as his coach is just seeing him really comfortable and at peace with his role. I think he was fighting that a little bit early in the season. He wanted so desperately to be the same Klay from five years ago. And he just couldn’t get past the injuries and what the injuries did to him and his career. It was bothering him and he was trying too hard out there on the floor.
“And I think over the All-Star Break, he really got his thoughts together and realized that maybe coming off the bench could be a good thing and he’s embraced it. And he has been fantastic. Not only his play, but his attitude, his approach, his leadership. Klay’s been great, and it’s been really fun to see.”
Thompson has had his best scoring nights this season since starting from the bench and definitely looks at home leading the second unit with guard Chris Paul.
Thompson has averaged 20.1 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 11 games off the bench this season, compared to 17 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 49 starts in 2023-24.
It seems as though bench Klay is here to stay.
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