Klay Thompson’s arrival marked a significant milestone for the Dallas Mavericks, and he immediately showed why.
In his debut against the San Antonio Spurs, he scored 22 points in a victory.
Thompson followed with impressive performances of 19 and 18 points, setting high expectations for his tenure with the team.
Though his scoring has dipped since those initial outings, Thompson’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed, particularly by Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who considers the signing one of the franchise’s smartest moves.
“I loved the move when he first came. That was a no-brainer. To have someone on the weak side like Klay, he’s one of the best shooters of all time,” Nowitzki said, via Noah Weber.
Dirk Nowitzki on the Mavs adding Klay Thompson:
“I loved the move when he first came. That was a no-brainer. To have someone on the weak side like Klay, he’s one of the best shooters of all time. But I think we saw in the Finals, that sometimes we need some shooting on the weak… pic.twitter.com/ZScwo1DPtk
— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) November 8, 2024
The Hall of Famer expanded on his assessment, highlighting the team’s need for additional shooting prowess on the weak side, a gap they identified during their run to the 2024 NBA Finals.
In Nowitzki’s view, bringing in one of the league’s greatest shooters was the perfect solution.
He also praised Thompson’s seamless integration into the team, noting his confident shot selection and ability to play off his teammates while also commending his defensive contributions.
That defensive tenacity and 3-point accuracy make him a valuable asset for Dallas.
However, some Mavericks fans have started questioning head coach Jason Kidd’s utilization of Thompson’s skill set.
While adjusting to a new system naturally takes time, Kidd’s strategy of involving Thompson early in games has proven effective in helping him find his rhythm.
The approach could be crucial as the Mavericks prepare to face the Phoenix Suns, where Thompson’s quick-strike scoring ability might prove decisive.
NEXT: Kevin Durant Reveals His Thoughts On Seeing Klay Thompson In Mavs Uniform
