Klay Thompson solidifying star status with Warriors

Tue, Nov 19th 2013, 11:02 AM

Klay Thompson, the Bahamian-rooted Golden State shooting guard, is rapidly solidifying his status as a star player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Into his third season, Klay, one of the sons of Bahamian sports icon Mychal Thompson, appears to have a larger role this season. It seems, early in this season, that Coach Mark Jackson has decided to emphasize more Klay's role as the shooting guard for the team.
In my view, the Warriors can go further with Klay as the No. 1 shooter. Stephen Curry, the excellent point guard, excelled in scoring last season. However, the Warriors are a better team with the 1-2 scoring punch being Thompson/Curry, rather than the other way around.
The Warriors are playing like they can win the Pacific Division of the Western Conference despite the fact that a key rival team is the Los Angeles Clippers. Jackson goes with a line-up of David Lee and the new team member Andre Iguadala as the forwards with Andrew Bogut in center. The splash brothers Thompson and Curry round out the starting five.
This is a fine unit, comparable to the best of the rest. Following a key 116-115 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last Thursday night, the Warriors stood at 6-3, tied with the Clippers in the Pacific Division. To me that game put a stamp on the kind of team the rest of the NBA will have to face this year.
The Warriors are likely to win more of those close games against the elite teams as they grow in confidence. Thompson had 27 points in that game to lead the Warriors and rounded out his top performer outing with five rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
All Jackson has to continue to do is allow Klay to remain that first option shooter and let Curry focus more on being the court general, distributing the ball rather that taking the shot so often. I take nothing away from Dell Curry's boy. Stephen can shoot. Nevertheless, he can make the Warriors a much better team if his focus is on getting the other players on the floor more involved in the offense.
Once he does that, the extra energy can be utilized on defense. Stephen is quick and I think could be an all-defensive team member if he adjusts his game a bit. Coach Jackson should see to it.
The warriors are relatively a young team. The two stars Thompson and Curry are just 23 and 25. Golden State shapes up as the team of the future in the NBA. If Jackson keeps Klay with the largest scoring load, the Warriors could indeed become the team of now.
Klay should have been a coaches' pick for all-star weekend last year. Barring injury, he should achieve that milestone this season.
Go Klay!
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com.

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