The Golden State Warriors struggled mightily in the first half of this season, and they were searching for a way to recapture at least some of their vintage greatness.
One factor in their struggles was the poor play of Klay Thompson, who simply isn’t the same lethal shooter he was prior to injuring his ACL and Achilles a few years ago.
Right before the All-Star break, head coach Steve Kerr moved Thompson to the bench, and it seems to have helped.
Since being reassigned to his new role, Thompson has been shooting a lot like his old self, per NBC Sports.
Sixth Man Klay is showing out in his new role 🔥
Mully // @BontaHill // @FestusEzeli pic.twitter.com/HvxyEpeD8S
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 1, 2024
It is a small sample size, but it is a promising sign for a team that not long ago won four NBA championships in an eight-season span.
Not coincidentally, the Warriors won four of the five games in which Thompson has come off the bench, and overall, they have won 11 of their last 14 contests.
While they’re only in 10th place in the Western Conference with a 30-27 record, the feeling is that if they keep up their improved play of late, they will be a dangerous team in the postseason given their ample experience.
In particular, if Thompson keeps up his hot shooting over the last five games, Golden State could end up surprising people this spring.
No one, except for perhaps some of their fans in the Bay Area, is expecting them to win the world title, but they could perhaps at least give themselves some real hope going into next season.
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